Best Things To Do In Paris In October 2025 — Fall At Its Finest

October in Paris is when everything softens — he light, the crowds, the pace. The leaves go golden in the gardens, the new museum season revs up, and the summer rush has long since cleared out. It's a fine time for sipping wine under falling leaves or grabbing last-chance tickets to blockbuster exhibits that only opened after la rentrée. You'll find plenty of things to do in Paris in October that feel both lively and low-key — a welcome shift after the high heat and high tempo of earlier months.

This is also the season of warm scarves and second croissants. Versailles looks dramatic in autumn light, and if you're lucky, you can sneak in a final visit to Claude Monet's gardens before they close for the season. From jazz festivals to food tours to candlelit château visits, the month serves up Paris at its most photogenic — no filters needed. Here is our curated list of the best things to do in Paris in October 2025.

Esprit de Paris – The Top Experiences

Things to Do in Paris in October 2025

Nights on the Seine with Bateaux Parisiens

October's crisp evenings are best spent aboard a Bateaux Parisiens dinner cruise. Service Premier ensures a luxurious outing with fine French cuisine, champagne, and front-row seats to the shimmering lights of Paris. Glide past landmarks like the Eiffel Tower while live music provides the perfect soundtrack for an unforgettable night on the Seine. One Of The Best Things To Do In Paris In October.

Versailles in All Its Majesty

October suits Versailles. The sunlight softens, the statues look even more dramatic, and the gardens turn the kind of golden that painters dream of. On a skip-the-line tour, you'll breeze past the gates like a VIP and dive straight into the grandeur. The Hall of Mirrors? Still gleaming. The stories? Still juicy. The royal escape you need? Happily waiting just outside the city.

Maxim's: High Society, Low Key

When Maxim's of Paris sails, it brings the whole supper club package — mood lighting, white tablecloths, and waiters who never hover. October nights on the Seine are cool but cozy, perfect for a long dinner with a view. The menu leans classic, but in that confident, don't-need-to-try-too-hard way. Meanwhile, Paris twinkles outside like it knows it's being watched. Spoiler: it absolutely does.

Avoid Louvre Burnout

The Louvre doesn't come with a map that says "start here." That's where a good guide comes in. We've rounded up the Louvre tours that get rave reviews — smart, engaging, and timed just right to avoid foot fatigue and museum fog. Whether it's your first visit or your fifth, a guided tour helps you see the museum as a whole, not just a checklist of famous names.

Elevate Your Parisian Adventure

By now you know that we just don't like standing in lines. It wastes so much time! There is no attraction more popular than the Eiffel Tower, which means there are always lines. That's why we love tours that get you past the lineup, to the priority entrance, and then up the tower. Meet up with your guide and breeze past the crowds to the very top, for the best views of Paris.

Bold Strings, Historic Setting

These concerts aren't loud — they're enormous. You'll hear every note, every breath, every meaningful pause bouncing off centuries-old walls with precision that feels engineered. Saint-Chapelle might be the world's most photogenic venue, but the sound? That's what stays with you. No visual effects, no over-produced nonsense — just raw, hauntingly beautiful music in a setting that practically dares you not to feel something.

Skip Subtle – This Is Cabaret!

Paradis Latin is the kind of place where dinner comes with side commentary and sequins. Your evening kicks off with three proper courses — no sad salad starters here — then the lights dim and the cabaret takes over. It's theatrical, cheeky, and just unhinged enough to keep you wide-eyed. If you thought Paris was all wine tastings and museum tours, here's your glamorous, high-kicking correction.

Champagne & Food Tour of St-Germain-des-Prés

The ancient streets of St-Germain-des-Prés are known for the writers and artists who once walked here. But the quartier is also known for culinary excellence. We invite you to explore with a champagne & food expert at your side. Go off the beaten track to experience French food, culture, and bubbly. Each of the champagne tastings (and there are several) are paired with French cheeses, pâtes, and exquisite chocolates & pastries.

Eiffel Tower, Dinner Cruise, Moulin Rouge: One Epic Night

This evening doesn't believe in moderation. It starts at the Eiffel Tower, high above the city, zero waiting involved. Next? A floating dinner down the Seine, where every landmark seems to glow just for you. And then the Moulin Rouge, where feathers, flair, and fizzy drinks bring the house down nightly. If you're looking for a quiet night… maybe just read about this one afterward. Preferably with a croissant.

Discover Sainte-Chapelle, Conciergerie & Notre Dame

Discover the very heart of Paris, where Romans once roamed, on a guided tour of the Île de la Cité. With your expert guide you'll visit La Sainte-Chapelle, Notre Dame and other iconic landmarks of ancient and medieval Paris. This is a captivating exploration of the history of the city, that also affords the privilege of viewing the city's breathtaking beauty.

The Seine and the City: A French Feast

October in Paris brings crisp air and long shadows, and Bateaux Mouches turns it into a floating feast. From your table on the river, you'll watch leaves drift and lights flicker while enjoying classic French fare across four decadent courses. The Eiffel Tower twinkles, the bridges glow, and the music adds just enough drama. If fall had a signature scent, it'd be duck confit and red wine. One of our favorite things to do in Paris in October.

Because You've Got Better Things to Do

Like actually seeing Paris, not playing luggage Tetris on a crowded RER train. With a private transfer, you'll be met at the airport, helped with your bags, and delivered to your hotel like the confident traveler you are (or are pretending to be). It's quiet, efficient, and makes your arrival feel like part of the fun — not part of the challenge.

Why We Love Staying on the Left Bank

Staying on the Left Bank is like booking the smarter version of Paris. Same museums, same bakeries, but with a bit more charm and a touch more breathing room. The hotels are elegant without trying too hard, tucked into buildings that don't feel generic, and often come with a tiny lift that looks like it came out of a Wes Anderson set. It's just a better way to do Paris.

The Wonders of Versailles

Things to Do in Paris in October 2025

Visit Versailles with Priority Access

Versailles Lesson #1: the line-ups are incredibly long. On this half-day tour you breeze by the large crowds to see the top sights: the State Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, and the chapel. There's also free time to linger in the spectacular French garden. This small-group includes transportation from Paris to Versailles and back.

Giverny's Last Bloom, Versailles in Gold

October is your last chance this year to see Monet's Giverny before the gardens close for winter — and they're going out in a blaze of color. This day trip pairs the painter's autumn palette with the golden grandeur of Versailles, making for one of the most visually rewarding outings of the season. Art, history, and fall light — it's a one-day double feature that's hard to top. One of the best things to do in Paris in October.

Versailles Bike Tour + Chateau Visit

You're in luck! In October you can still join up with this 2-in-1 tour. Cycle the countryside near Versailles, through forests and pastures. Shop at local markets, then lounge in the gardens of Versailles eating grapes, nibbling on cheeses, while drinking in the history of the place. After le pique-nique, use your VIP skip-the-line pass to explore the Chateau de Versailles.

Go Deeper Into France On Day Trips

Things to Do in Paris in October 2025

Midweek Luxury, Lightly Chilled

Some people chase views. Others chase bubbles. Here, you get both. This Champagne day trip serves up quiet roads, crisp pours, and a leisurely lunch that makes you wonder why you ever settled for a desk job. You'll explore world-famous houses and smaller producers with serious sparkle game. And thanks to a small group and a guide who's got your back, it never feels like a tour — just a very good day.

Visit The Historic D-Day Beaches

Visit the D-Day landing beaches of Normandy on a full-day trip from Paris. Walk the sands of Omaha Beach and Utah Beach, explore museums, and honor the fallen at the American Cemetery. Your guide's expertise offers a profound understanding of the events of June 1944 and their lasting impact. A cider tasting at a Normandy producer adds a local touch to the day, making this autumn journey an insightful and reflective exploration of one of France's most historic regions.

Loire Valley Castles in Autumn's Glow

Experience the Loire Valley as it transforms under the golden light of autumn. Visit the grand chateaux, marveling at their timeless beauty. The tour includes a wine tasting that celebrates the region's rich traditions and seasonal flavors. Wander through gardens touched by fall colors and discover the fascinating history behind each castle. This day trip from Paris offers an inspiring journey through the heart of France's Renaissance heritage.

Monet's Garden: For the Last Time This Year

This is the rare artistic experience where you actually get to walk through the art. Monet's gardens are still here — paths, pond, bridge and all — and this half-day tour lets you explore them with just enough backstory to make it feel meaningful. Add his colorful house (yes, the kitchen is iconic), and you've got the kind of cultural experience that's quietly brilliant and not remotely boring. The garden closes for the year at the end of October.

Delectable Food & Wine Experiences

Things to Do in Paris in October 2025

Seven Cheeses, No Regrets

Paris has a lot going for it, but this cheese tasting is reason enough to come back. It takes place in a cheese-aging cellar that feels private but not pretentious. You'll try a range of cheeses from mild to “"was that legal?" and wash it all down with wines that perfectly pair. The host keeps it light, the group keeps it small, and the flavors keep on coming.

Master the Techniques of Croissant Baking

Learn to make croissants like a Parisian chef in this immersive baking class. In a professional kitchen, you'll practice every step, from mixing and folding the dough to baking golden, flaky layers. Your chef provides expert guidance, ensuring you leave with practical skills and a deeper appreciation for this iconic pastry. Enjoy your freshly baked croissants on-site and take home the knowledge to recreate them in your own kitchen.

A Culinary Stroll in Montmartre

Dive into Montmartre's rich culinary scene on a guided walking tour through its historic streets. Taste a curated selection of French specialties, including creamy cheeses, savory charcuterie, and buttery pastries, paired with wines that showcase the region's excellence. Learn about the area's bohemian past and the artists who made it famous as you explore cobblestone streets lined with cafés. Conclude with breathtaking views of Paris from Montmartre's highest point.

Not Just Another Wine Tasting

This one's worth your time. It's food-driven, sharp, and takes place in a wine cellar that feels like a secret. You'll taste a variety of French wines — Champagne, Burgundy, Bordeaux, and friends — and get just the right amount of context. It's not about memorizing grapes or learning to identify "forest floor". It's about drinking good wine with smart people and picking up a few tricks along the way.

A Culinary Stroll Through the Marais

Experience the Marais's culinary treasures on this guided food and wine tour. Taste a variety of French delights, from cheeses and charcuterie to fresh baguettes and handmade chocolates, paired with wines that enhance each flavor. Visit the city's oldest food market and learn about the neighborhood's history from your knowledgeable guide. A delightful combination of cultural insights and gourmet experiences in one of Paris's most enchanting districts.

Chocolate & Pastry Tour of Saint-Germain

How could we not like this one? Chocolate, pastries and Paris — together at last! And it's not just us, this is also one of our readers' fave food activities. They love getting behind-the-scenes in a world of sweetness and goodness — with plenty of sampling, including regional specialities. You're able to choose between strolling through Saint-Germain or the Marais.

Bateaux Parisiens Gourmet Lunch Cruise

Sailing along the Seine on a relaxing lunch cruise just about beats anything else to do in the world. It all starts with a crisp glass of champagne, followed by an exquisite French classic three-course meal. As you sip your wine, you'll admire the majesty of Paris landmarks, so close you could almost touch them. Best tip? Book the Service Privilege option to guarantee a private window seat.

Paris Cooking Class & Food Market Tour

Have you ever dreamed of taking a cooking class in Paris? We know from experience that a an afternoon spent at a cooking class here will be a fond memory that you'll always treasure. It will be a highlight of your visit to the City of Food, and will inspire and educate you to on how to make the classic French dishes when you're back at home.

What's On At The Museums

Things to Do in Paris in October 2025

Monet Mornings at Musée d'Orsay

October's crisp air and early sunsets set the mood for a museum full of intense stares and dramatic brushstrokes. With skip-the-line access and a guide who brings the backstories, you'll wander from Manet to Van Gogh without ever checking a map. The art's bold, the building's grand, and the commentary is refreshingly human. It's the kind of fall activity that doesn't involve a pumpkin or a hayride.

Deserts: Forces of Nature

Deserts are shaped by powerful natural forces, from shifting sands to searing temperatures. This exhibition explores how geological processes and climatic extremes create these awe-inspiring landscapes, offering a deeper understanding of their significance to the planet's ecosystems.
• Natural History Museum
• Ends November 30
• Information…

A Celebration of Life and Art

Few artists capture life's vibrancy as effortlessly as David Hockney. His art celebrates the everyday, from quiet interiors to bold landscapes. This retrospective is a testament to his belief in the power of art to connect people, offering a look at the moments and scenes that have inspired his prolific career. Be sure to put this on your "Things To Do In Paris In October" list.
• Ends January 9, 2026
• Information…

Art That Refuses to Sit Still

Nothing about Niki de Saint Phalle and Jean Tinguely's work stays still. Kinetic sculptures clank and hum, fantastical creatures loom, and unexpected materials take on new life. This exhibition captures the restless energy that defined their art — a celebration of movement, unpredictability, and a refusal to conform.
• Grand Palais
• Ends January 4, 2026
• Information…

Sargent – The Paris Years

This is the Sargent show that peels back the polish. Alongside salon showstoppers like Madame X, you'll find travel sketches, studies of friends, and painterly experiments that trace his influences — from Velázquez to Manet — and reveal how he carved out a daring new visual language.

• Musée d'Orsay
• September 23, 2025 to January 11, 2026
• Information…

Love & Art Through Her Lens

At the Villa Medici in Rome, Gabrielle Hébert used her camera like a diary. Friends, lovers, and fleeting glances became her subjects, caught in the soft natural light of garden paths and crumbling frescoes. The result? A visual love letter in silver gelatin.

• Musée d'Orsay
• October 28, 2025 to February 15, 2026
• Information…

Paul Troubetzkoy – The Sculptor Prince

Known as much for his charm as for his talent, Paul Troubetzkoy moved between aristocrats, artists, and activists. His portraits — of Tolstoy, Sarah Bernhardt, and even Anna Pavlova's dog — reveal a sculptor obsessed with character, gesture, and the fleeting moment.

• Musée d'Orsay
• September 30 to January 11, 2026
• Information…

Jean‑Baptiste Greuze – Childhood Unmasked

Children cry, flirt, sulk, and philosophize in Greuze's sentimental genre scenes. His portraits challenge the powdered norms of the day, presenting kids as full emotional beings. In the Age of Reason, he made childhood one of painting's most expressive subjects.

• Petit Palais
• September 16 to January 25, 2026
• Information…

Guillermo Kuitca – Cubistoid Chapel

Guillermo Kuitca is best known for blending cartography, architecture, and abstraction. In this site-specific work, he coats every surface of the chapel with painted lines that nod to Cubism, theatrical staging, and memory maps. The result is immersive: a chapel reimagined as a mental space.

• Musée Picasso
• Ends December 31, 2027
• Information…

Philippe Perrot – Intimate Mindscapes

Philippe Perrot didn't aim for realism — he aimed for what memory feels like. His people aren't posed, they're suspended mid-thought: haunted, half-smiling, or wide-eyed in flat, color-saturated rooms. Childhood, family, and identity melt together in oil and antiseptic tones.

• MAM
• Ends November 2, 2025
• Information…

Michel Paysant – Monet Seen by Eye

Michel Paysant used eye-tracking tech to follow how visitors look at Monet's Water Lilies. Then he turned those gaze patterns into drawings — abstract tracings of attention. It's Monet through the eyes of others, transformed into a strange, elegant new language.

• Musée de l'Orangerie
• October 4, 2025 to January 6, 2026
• Information…

Berthe Weill – Dealer of the Avant-Garde

Berthe Weill didn't just sell paintings — she launched modernism. Between 1901 and 1941, she championed artists others wouldn't touch: Picasso, Matisse, Modigliani, and dozens more. This show tells the story of her wild career and the radical talent she brought to light.

• Musée de l'Orangerie
• October 2, 2024 to January 27, 2025
• Information…

L'Empire du Sommeil – Dreams, Rest & Folly

From dreamy innocence to biblical visions, the show spans millennia but focuses on 19th–20th-century shifts in how artists saw sleep. Painting, sculpture, medical prints and bedtime objects reflect sleep's symbolic weight — from erotic repose to eternal rest, nightmares to bedside rituals.

• Musée Marmatton Monet
• October 9, 2025 to March 1, 2026
• Information…

Musika Automatika – Sound & Memory

Junior Mvunzi is won't sit still — his residency‑born project pushes sonic boundaries. In the museum's music box, he remixes heritage and future with playful, sometimes unpredictable layers that challenge how we think about rhythms, cultures, and listening.

• Musée du Quai Branly
• Ends February 26, 2026
• Information…

La Collection

In 2014 Pablo Picasso's most important public collection was permanently installed in the lavish setting of the Hôtel Salé, a mansion in the Marais. A decade later, the museum pays homage with a three-year retrospective starting with a tribute to Françoise Gilot. Beyond her famous book — Living with Picasso, published in 1965 — Gilot's own artistic career spanned from Réalités Nouvelles to her large compositions of the "emblematic paintings" of the 1980s.

• Musée Picasso
• To March 12, 2027
• Information…

The Top Events In Paris

Things to Do in Paris in October 2025

Salon du Chocolat

Chocolate lovers unite! If you're in Paris and a chocolate lover, this event will plug you into the latest choco-trends with plenty of tastings, demonstrations and symposiums. Meet the growers of cocoa, taste delicacies from the best Paris chocolatiers, and attend the famous Chocolate Dresses Fashion Show.
• Porte de Versailles
• October 29 to November 2, 2025
• Information…

Fetes des Vendange à Montmartre – Wine Harvest Festival

Join the festivities at Montmartre's town hall (mairie) as locals harvest the annual crop of grapes to produce 500 bottles of Clos Montmartre. It's the last working vineyard in Paris, and Montmartians celebrate in the annual event with parades, tastings and wine-related festivities.
• Montmartre Mairie
• October 8 to 12, 2025
• Information…

Le Festival d'Automne à Paris

Founded in 1972, the Paris Autumn Festival celebrates contemporary arts and embraces all forms — visual arts, dance, theatre, music, and cinema. From September to December the festival features more than fifty events at venues throughout Paris.

• Venues throughout Paris
• September to December
• Information…