Paris in October: Foliage, Exhibitions and Events

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For many, October is the best time to visit Paris. The City of Light will finally cool down after this summer’s heat waves and become an autumn wonderland. Tourist season has come to an end making for smaller crowds and shorter lines. If you’re visiting this October you’re in luck because it’s a great time for beautiful exhibitions, music, fashion and beyond! We’ll also share with you the best places to enjoy the autumn beauty in our favorite city.

The average temperature in October is between 9 and 16 Celsius with a possibility of some sunny days with temperatures ranging from 15-20 Celsius. October isn’t quite the chilliest time of year, yet far more comfortable compared to the hot summer months. You may experience warm days in early autumn but bear in mind the month of October can be full of dreary rainy days and cold weather too. Put on a chic trench coat or leather jacket, jeans and your best walking shoes and take to the streets of Paris. Enjoy hot coffee and colorful autumn foliage in this beautiful city. The Daylight-Saving Time (DST) period will end on October 27, so be sure to change your watch as the clocks set back by one hour at 3:00 a.m.

The courtyard of the Louvre Museum at the golden hour, with the iconic glass Pyramid straight ahead. — Above: photo by Vlada Karpovich
Top: photo by margerretta

Exhibitions

Arte Povera, Bourse de Commerce, October 9, 2024 -January 20, 2025

Starting on October 9, Arte Povera examines this major Italian artistic movement of the 1960’s. 13 main figures are the focus: Giovanni Anselmo, Alighiero Boetti, Pier Paolo Calzolari, Luciano Fabro, Jannis Kounellis, Mario Merz, Marisa Merz, Giulio Paolini, Pino Pascali, Giuseppe Penone, Michelangelo Pistoletto, Emilio Prini and Gilberto Zorio

Intimacy, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, October 16, 2024- March 30, 2025

From the 18th century until now, nearly 500 works display how the concept of intimacy has evolved over time. From Henri Cartier-Bresson to Nan Goldin, every day objects like walkmans to social mobedia, surveillance tools, sex toys and more, the boundaries between public and private have never been more blurred.

Science/Fiction, Maison Européenne de la Photographie, October 16, 2024- January 19, 2025

The exhibit Science/Fiction — A Non-History of Plants examines the visual history of plants. It links art, technology and science from the 19th ^century to today. Featuring over 40 artists from various countries and eras, works from the likes of Anna Atkins, Karl Blossfeldt, Laure Albin Guillot, Jochen Lempert, Pierre Joseph, Angelica Mesiti, Agnieszka Polska and Sam Falls are on display.

Tarsila do Amaral, Musée du Luxembourg, October 9 – February 2, 2025

An important figure of Brazilian modernism, Tarsila do Amaral (1886-1973) created original and evocative works. Her oeuvre draws upon indigenous, popular and modern inspirations of her native country, itself in the midst of important transformations.

Harriet Backer – La musique des couleurs, Musée d’Orsay, September 24, 2024-January 12, 2025

The popular Harriet Backer exhibition continues at the Musée d’Orsay. Famous in her native Norway but less so elsewhere , Harriet Backer was known for her rich use of colors and personal interpretation of everyday life. Realism and Impressionism were a big influence on her oeuvre, which includes scenes from nature, Norwegian churches, and still lifes.

Masterpieces from the Borghese Gallery, Musée Jacquemart André, Opens September 6, 2024

After a year of renovations and restoration, The Musée Jacquemart reopens with Masterpieces from the Borghese Gallery. 40 masterpieces from the Roman gallery will be on display, with works from the Renaissance and Baroque. Don’t miss these rarely loaned works from Caravaggio, Rubens, Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, Beronese, Bernini, Antonello da Messina and others.

We Are Here – an exploration of urban art, Petit Palais, until November 17 2024

The Petit Palais features street artists in dialogue with its permanent collections and architecture. Artists including Shepard Fairey, Invader, D*Face, Seth, Cleon Peterson, Hush, Swoon, Vhils, Inti, Add Fuel and Conor Harrington are a part of the exhibition We Are Here.

Barbara Crane, Centre Pompidou, September 11, 2024- January 6, 2025

This exhibit examines the first quarter century of American photographer Barbara Crane’s (1928-2019) career through the display of around 200 works. Traditional American photography executed with the experimental sensibility of the European avant-garde are a defining feature of Crane’s work.

Naples in Paris, The Louvre, until January 8, 2025

As part of a partnership with the Capodimonte Museum in Naples, the greats of Italian painting are featured at the Louvre. Naples in Paris transforms the museum into a Neapolitan palace. There are more than 60 pieces from the Farnese and Bourbon collections.

Art Fairs

Paris+ par Art Basel – Grand Palais Éphémère, October 18-20, 2024

Held at the Grand Palais Éphémère, galleries will be displayed specializing in Modern and contemporary art. The great Paris+par Art Basel includes paintings, drawings, sculptures, installations, photography, video, and digital art.

Left: Eiffel Tower surrounded by autumn trees; Right: Street in Montmartre with La Maison Rose restaurant. — Left: photo by Sanat Angham / Right: photo by nomundodejr

Asia Now, Paris Asian Art Fair – Monnaie de Paris, October 17 – 20, 2024

Celebrating its 10th edition, Asia NOW is the first contemporary art fair that highlights the diversity of artistic scenes in Asia. Artists from Central Asia will be presented, taking place all throughout the palace of Monnaie de Paris.

Food and Wine

Grape Harvest Festival in Montmartre (Fête des Vendanges) – Sacre-Coeur, Montmartre, October 9 – 13, 2024

Every autumn, since 1934, the Montmartre Wine Festival shines the spotlight on the Butte Montmartre. The beautiful district, famous for its white-domed basilica of Sacre Coeur is also reputed for its vines. Enjoy the concerts, street entertainments, tastings of artisanal and regional products, indulge in a wine tasting and more!

Salon du Chocolat – Porte de Versailles, October 29 until November 3, 2024

Calling all chocolate lovers! For 6 days chocolatiers, pastry chefs, confectioners, cocoa producers, major brands, and flood bloggers will share their products on their stands at Salon du Chocolat. Enjoy live performances including live chef demos and a chocolate dress show!

Music

Enjoy various genres of music in beautiful Paris. Hot tip – For more music shows and events, check out Dice.

Donizetti – La Fille du régiment: Opera de Paris

October 17-November 20, 2024 at Opèra Bastille

Gounod – Faust: Paris National Opera

until October 18 at Opèra Bastille

Jazz sur Seine

October 11 – 26, various locations

Les murmures de la forêt, Orchestre national d’Île-de-France – Case Scaglione – Steven Isserlis – Marie Perbost – Dvořák, Strohl

October 15, 20:00, Philharmonie de Paris

Sport

Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – ParisLongchamp Racecourse, October 5-6, 2024

Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is said to be one of the biggest annual racing events in the world. Be sure to see some of the world’s best horses competing at the Hippodrome de Longchamp.

Running à Paris – Point d’Léna, October 13, 2024

The Vredestein 20km will take you past the Eiffel Tower, Trocadero, Arc de Triomphe, Bois de Boulogne, Roland Garros, Radio House, Grand Palais, Tuileries, Pont Royal, and Berges Rive Gauche. Runners can also participate remotely. Up to 31,000 participants, both professional and amateur runners are expected to join. Refreshments will be available at 6km, 10km, 15km and the finish line.

A jogger dressed from head to toe in black running gear jogs along a pond in the Bois de Boulogne in Paris during Autumn. — Photo by: Armand Khoury

Family Friendly- HAlloween

Halloween Festival at Disneyland Paris – October 1 – November 3, 2024

Enjoy Disneyland’s iconic Halloween festival where you’ll find the Mischief Makers, Villainous Masters and Mysterious Hosts. If you have the chance, be sure to make it for the Halloween Party on October 31^st.

Pumpkin Festival at Gally Farm – October 19-31, 2024, Saint-Cyr-l’École, Sartrouville et Saint-Denis

Celebrate Halloweens with all things pumpkin at Gally Farms. There are Jack O’Lantern workshops for kids, where the little ones can carve the pumpkins grown on the farm into scary shapes with their family and friends. At night, a candle is placed inside, and children can watch shadows dancing in the night’s darkness. For kids aged 3 and over.

Film

Lost in Frenchlation October Program

Lost in Frenchlation brings the best of French cinema to the international community of Paris. They screen the latest French films with English subtitles, which are often followed discussions with film crews. There are also drinks before each screening building community between the international crowd and native Parisians

Lost in Frenchlation’s October program includes a cheese & wine tasting celebrating Fête des Vendanges with Paris Wine Girl; Ce Qui Nous Lie, Etat Limite for Mental Health Day; Le Fil with the screenwriter in attendance; Drone in the presence of its director; a Ciné-Balade and Women of Paris tour; along with the Halloween Special.

Best Spots for Fall Foliage

If you’re visiting Paris in October, don’t miss the perfect opportunity to experience the trees exploding with mesmerising fall colors like red, orange, and gold. Here are our best spots.