CITY GUIDE: Paris in Autumn

Paris in Autumn Travel Guide

Paris is an enchanting place during all seasons of the year, but the autumn is particularly special. From the thinning crowds to the colors that reveal themselves in the landscape, fall affords everyone visiting Paris the chance to slow down and appreciate the city like a local. Whether you’re visiting museums, cafés, or just walking scenic avenues, these are our top suggestions to enjoy Paris from a native’s perspective.

OUTDOORS

Before the cold, rainy weather of winter sets in, get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. Not only does Paris provide a great number of parks to spend leisure time in, but you’ll be able to marvel at incredible, historically relevant architecture at the same time. Our favorite outdoor locations include the Palais Royal Gardens and the Jardin du Luxembourg. If you have a full day of free time, fall is a great time to go to Versailles. Just outside of Paris, the manicured gardens of Versailles are a jewel box of colors during autumn, and if it gets a little too cold outside, you can wander the palace instead! (More info click here)

DINING

In Paris, incredible dining locales are at every turn. If you’ve been to Paris, you most likely have a list of places and dishes you want to return to at least once. If you’ve never been, you probably have a long list of suggestions for ultimate dining experiences.  Whether this is your first trip or tenth, these are our favorites for fall. For a delicious aperitif in a cozy environment, try Bar Hemingway at the newly renovated Ritz in Place Vendôme. At Kei in the Palais Royal area, you’ll enjoy elegant Japanese food presented like art. If you’re near Montmartre, try Les Apotres de Pigalle. This small venue is home to great tapas dishes and a welcoming atmosphere. Last but not least, warm up at Angelica, a historic salon de thé, with a decadent cup of chocolat chaud and a beautiful pastry. (More info click here)

CULTURE

During the fall you can stumble upon a number of cultural experiences that are open to the general public. Aside from the expected museum exhibition openings (the Louvre is rolling out a great show on renowned French sculptor, Bouchardon), you’ll find a great number of festivals and fairs to enjoy. Until December, visit the Autumn Arts Festival, an ongoing presentation of music, dance, theater and more. Later this October, check out the Paris Chocolate Show, a trade fair for international chocolatiers. Lastly, the Magritte show at the Pompidou center is not to be missed! (More info click here)

SHOPPING

You can’t visit Paris without doing a little – or a lot – of shopping. Once you’ve covered the obvious shopping meccas like Le Bon Marche and Galleries Lafayette, allow yourself to wander parts of the city and discover hole-in-the-wall boutiques you wouldn’t otherwise know about. In our opinion, successful shopping in Paris is all about finding beautifully curated little shops and purchasing unique treasures. If you don’t know where to start, some of our musts include Christophe Lemaire for luxurious ready to wear staples, Beneton Graveur for stationary, Dary’s for vintage jewelry, and concept shop Merci for everything from handbags to home décor. (More info click here)

What are your favorite Parisian haunts in the fall? Tell us about them in the comments below!