The 17 best things to do in Paris in November 2024
What to do in Paris in November?
In late fall, Paris is feeling the cold. On the upside, the pre-Noël lull sees shorter lines at top attractions (yay!) Happily, the darkening days barely touch the social calendar. There are some standout autumnal events and activities to look forward to, including our pick of the best things to do in Paris in November.
Wrap up warm and pack an umbrella. Daily temperatures drop to an average high of 52 °F (11 °C), and it rains every other day on average. With the arrival of daylight-saving time, sunsets are often dramatic and perfectly timed for pre-dinner walks.
The best things to do in Paris in November
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01
La La Land in concert
Concert in Quartier du Mail
LLL d 29 _5194.NEFAs one of the most successful films of the last decade, La La Land impressed all film buffs. Now the film, with Justin Hurwitz the composer himself, comes to Paris in November. Several times in recent years, iconic fantasy films like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings have gone under the skin of the audience with the Yellow Socks Orchestra.
While the uniquely beautiful soundtrack is played by the orchestra, the film plays on a big screen in the background. This is definitely not to be missed as a fan of Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling!
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02
Thoiry Lumières Sauvages
Zoo & Aquarium in Paris
Thoiry ZooSafari is a fun day trip out of Paris, made even more appealing in November with a trail of imaginatively sculpted lanterns. Each one is a luminous curiosity that kids will love.
For visitors without hire cars (inessential in Paris), there are ‘bush trucks’ to transport pedestrians through the safari and past the dangerous animals. There’s also an air safari, for that kids and big and small love (unless then hate heights.) In short, there’s plenty to entertain families through the day and into the night, when the lanterns light up the park.
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03
Shop for fall treats at Marché des Enfants Rouges
Food Market in Marais & Cité
Paris’s oldest market is a fantastic source of seasonal foods. It’s compact yet bustling, with crowds of diners and enthusiastic chefs turning up the heat against the encroaching cold. Even better, it’s indoors, so you can avoid umbrella sparring with other shoppers.
The market has a reputation for inventive and modern street food, despite being housed in a marketplace that dates back to 1615.
Alongside enticing hot food stalls are colorful produce and artisanal delicacies. Eat at the tables or grab something to go. Either way, a trip to the historic market is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Paris in November.
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04
Pitchfork Music Festival
Music Festival in Quartier de la VilletteSince 2011, the Grande Halle in Parc Villette has hosted the offbeat Pitchfork music festival. The event stretches across 8 days and features an eclectic mix of white-hot bands and relative newcomers.
For revelers who want to keep going, the nearby Trabendo concert hall hosts all-night after-parties for festivalgoers.
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05
Stomp through leaf piles in Bois de Vincennes
Forest in Quartier du Bel-Air
The two large urban forests of Paris are located in the west and east of the city. East of the centre, in the 12th arrondissement, the Bois de Vincennes awaits you with a total of around 18 kilometres of cycle paths and over 30 kilometres of car-free roads. Longer, more extensive walks are also possible here. The site, which was also the venue of the 1900 Summer Olympics, also has a large zoo in the style of Hamburg’s Hagenbecks zoo. Other highlights are the Château de Vincennes (now a museum) and the botanical garden.
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06
Pay respect to France’s fallen on Jour du Souvenir -Remembrance / Veterans Day (November 11)
Holidays in Paris
The guns on the Western Front fell silent on November 11, 1918. France had lost over 1.7 -1.8 million citizens during the Great War. The date is commemorated with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Arc de Triomphe.
The ceremony starts with a somber march along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, attended by multiple heads of state. It’s a public holiday, and thousands turn out to pay their respects in the most moving event in the Parisian calendar.
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07
Head indoors to the uplifting splendor of Musée Jacquemart-André
Museum in 8. Arrondissement
The Jacquemart-André museum holds the private collection of an extremely wealthy banking family. The family spent a considerable portion of their money on artworks and objets d’art for their opulent home. There are many different art styles on display. The museum is home to works by Botticelli, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, and more.
It’s not just the fine art that attracts visitors. The entire museum is captivating. Following the family’s instructions, everything was preserved in place when they bequeathed the home and contents to the Institut de France. It is a remarkable display in a home of sublime Belle Époque opulence. An uplifting tonic on cold, wet November days.
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08
Paris Games Week
Event in Paris
Paris Games Week is one of the brightest and most exciting things to do in Paris in November. It functions as a leading trade show and gaming nirvana for fans.
Filling an entire hall at the ever-busy Paris Expo center, Games Week attracts industry professionals who bring their latest releases and previews of upcoming games. There are workshops, presentations, and myriad stands promoting gaming developments. Most importantly, there are limitless opportunities to try out new games and devices.
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09
La Ventrus Paris
Restaurant in Quartier de la VilletteThis pop-up restaurant housed in a wooden cabin return at the end of October. After the initial buzz has died down, it’s worth paying a visit. The restaurants sits in a scenic location in Parc de la Villette, overlooking Canal de L’Ourcq. The menu is seasonal and locally sourced. Sustainability is the main ingredient.
A short menu puts an emphasis on quality and culinary creativity. Guest chefs lead the way, with Alberto Rebolledo helming the kitchen in November. The restaurant is well-situated for walkers exploring Paris’s romantic canals on crisp autumnal afternoons, so book ahead as La Ventrus will be in demand.
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10
Watch tennis stars in action at the Rolex Paris Masters (October 29 - November 6, 2022)
Sports Event in Quartier d'Auteuil
The Paris Masters is a big event in the tennis calendar. Not as prestigious as the Grand Slam tournament at Roland Garros in May, but global stars are assured to be there. Previous winners include Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
Tickets start from just €10. If you’re in the French capital, it’s a golden opportunity to see top-tier sporting action that will thrill the November cold away.
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11
Savor an early sunset at Terrass'' rooftop bar Terrass'' Hotel
Hotel in 18. ArrondissementOur highlight
Is chilly, damp November a good time to enjoy a Parisian sunset? Yes. In fact, the skyline is especially pretty during November. There are some well-known spots to enjoy the views, such as the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, and the Montparnasse Tower. But rooftop bars are some of the most accessible places to watch the sun set.
Some rooftop bars close in November. But the elegant Terrass” bar will be open. And the views are spectacular. You might need to wrap up warmly, but putting aside an hour or two to watch the kaleidoscopic sunsets over the Eiffel Tower is one of the best things to do in Paris in November. Sunsets arrive early, and rooftop bars are quiet, so you won’t have to wait in line like during summer. The timing is perfect.
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12
Take an evening promenade around the Lumières en Seine
Festival in France
The captivating Lumières en Seine returns every November to the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud, a former nature reserve turned park on the outskirts of Paris. A 1.2-mile (2 km) trail leads you through imaginative art sculptures and displays. It’s like an appetizer for the Christmas lights that illuminate Paris in December.
Children big and small will enjoy walking the trail, which is so brightly lit that you’ll forget about the cold weather. For a moment, at least.
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13
Take a gourmet tour around foodie havens
Walking Tour in Paris
With harvest season out of the way and winter is coming, the culinary palate of Paris adapts. It’s a great time to unearth culinary jewels and seasonal delights with an expert tour guide.
Le Marais and Montmartre are gourmet wonderlands. They are also among the most compelling neighborhoods in Paris. Finding your way around the neighborhood is easy. Finding the best places to eat requires a little more effort.
If you want to learn about the food that makes Paris so special, a guided tour will help sine a light on culinary favorites and emerging food trends. ‘The Secret Food Tours: Paris Montmartre’ is one of the best to take visitors to the epicurean hotspots and highlights.
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14
Walk amongst the ghosts on All Saints Day
Holidays in Paris
La Toussaint (All Saints) is a public holiday in France, and you may find a few shops closed on the day. Which makes the case for taking a walk through the spookier parts of Paris to mark All Hallows, or Halloween.
A nighttime walk around the ancient streets and gothic buildings of Île de la Cité fits the bill. As does a tour through the eerie Paris Catacombs. Topping them all is a trip to one of Paris’s famous cemeteries. They all mix autumnal charm and rich Parisian history with a dose of the macabre. With Paris slowing down for the day, it’s the ideal time to visit.
Head to the biggest, Père Lachaise, for celebrity tombs and atmosphere. Montparnasse cemetery is a more refined yet equally stimulating walk amongst the tombs of French luminaries. The capital’s third-largest necropolis, the Cimitière du Nord in Montmartre, is lined with trees that add character in the fall.
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15
Celebrate Christmas early in November
Holidays in Paris
We cover la Saison de Noël in depth in our December entry. But festive fans looking for things to do in Paris in November will be pleased to note that Christmas arrives early in Paris.
To start your Christmas celebrations in November, you can see feted decorations in stores like Galeries Lafayette and Printemps. Christmas lights also appear on the Champs-Élysées, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Bercy, and many other popular locations. Meanwhile, Christmas markets and ice-skating rinks pop up all over the city.
Dates are variable, but expect Christmas to start arriving in Paris during the final days of November. Complaints about Christmas starting too early are a perennial talking point. But if you can’t be there in December, you might welcome the early arrival of Christmas. And with fewer crowds, some might even claim that starting the festivities early is secretly one of the best things to do in Paris in November.
Sample fresh Beaujolais Nouveau straight from the vineyards
Le Beaujolais Nouveau is eagerly awaited across France, even if many connoisseurs dismiss the young wine as gimmicky. Debates about the merits of Beaujolais Nouveau do not deter wine buffs from coming together to tickle their palates. Any excuse…
Custom dictates that the arrival of the new season’s Beaujolais wine is celebrated from midnight on the third Thursday in November. France raises their glasses of vin de primeur (early wine) in unison as the clocks pass midnight. Join the fun and decide for yourself if Beaujolais nouveau deserves all the attention.
Wondering where you can try Beaujolais nouveau in Paris? Many caves (cellars) and wine bars join the annual tradition. Here are a few suggestions:
- Le Gavroche Bar à vins near Musée Grévin is a traditional bistro with a love of wine.
- Le Baron Rouge is a wine and cheese bar, known for its convivial atmosphere and sharing platters.
- La Cave des Papilles is a wine shop on lively Rue Daguerre, known its exceptional selection.
FAQ
Are there any Public Holidays (Jours Fériés) in Paris in November?
- 1st – La Toussaint – All Saints’ Day
- 11th – Jour du Souvenir (Remembrance/Veterans Day)
What to wear in Paris in November?
November is definitely a cold month in Paris, so be sure to wear gloves and a nice scarf to keep you warm while touring and walking around the magical city.
What is the weather like in Disneyland Paris in November?
We don’t let cool weather stop us from going to Disneyland Paris in November. You should bring different looks for different temperatures, because you will often switch between air-conditioned rooms and the cool Parisian outside temperatures. For us, the layerd look means: Tshirt, sweater and a rainproof jacket over it!
What to pack for a trip to Paris in November?
It is really important to pack smart for the vacation in Paris in November, because the cold temperatures absolutely make for more luggage. Thick wool sweaters, winter jackets, gloves, scarf, and maybe small hand warmers are the basics that should not be missing in your luggage.
What is the weather like in Paris in November?
Wrap up warm and pack an umbrella. Daily temperatures drop to an average high of 52 °F (11 °C), and it rains every other day on average. With the arrival of daylight-saving time, sunsets are often dramatic and perfectly timed for pre-dinner walks.
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