What To Do In Paris This November

As the crowds disperse and the crisp autumn air finally descends, November in Paris is a great month for those seeking a quieter time. Even if it is low season, you will still have your choice of events, exhibitions and things to do in Paris this month. Not to forget, fall foliage is in its full glory in the early half of this month.

November is the best time to experience Paris in a different light, quite literally. It is the time of year when you can witness the magical transformation of Paris as it prepares for the festive season, leading up to the holidays and New Year in December. Just a few more weeks until Christmas! But who’s counting right?

If you are worried about shorter days in fall, there will be a ton of twinkling lights and some of the most stunning Christmas decorations that will more than make up for it. Imagine sipping hot chocolate by the now-iconic giant Christmas tree display of Galeries Lafayette or taking a charming carousel ride in one of Paris’s many Christmas markets!

Weather in November

After the unseasonably warm months of September and October this year, the temperatures will likely dip to what fall weather is normally like: which means chilly weather and couple of days of rain, interspersed by much needed sunny days. Average temperatures in Paris this month are around 17-11°C. If you plan on wearing your chic trench coats, make sure to bundle up with additional warm layers and get your waterproof shoes ready, to combat the rainy weather.

Public holiday in France

The Toussaints school holiday takes place across France between October 20 to November 3 in 2024, with All Saints Day falling on November 1. Flights and trains are likely to be more expensive, not to mention more crowded on those days, so travelling in and out of Paris should generally be avoided where possible.

The other public holiday this month is Armistice Day on November 11, which is a national holiday marked with solemn ceremonies across France. This includes the French President laying a wreath of the The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arc de Triomph. Some museums or monuments may be closed or have limited hours on this day. Public holidays can also affect restaurant and business hours, so do take note.

Here are some highlights of the best things to do in Paris this month.

Shows and events

Automne Tropical – Dessiner La Botanique– Jardin des Plantes, October 17- November 25, 2024

If you can’t get enough of fall colors, join in as this Automne Tropical presents the diversity of plants and foliage, and discusses how plants adapt to changing environments. The gorgeous greenhouses of the Jardin des Plantes makes for an ethereal setting for the event.

Salon du Chocolat, October 30 – November 3, 2024

This is the place to meet the key players in the world of chocolate. Chocolatiers, pâtissiers, brands, bloggers and more will share their sweet creations with you at the annual Salon du Chocolat.

Festival d’Automne, until January 26, 2025

With dozens of partner venues in and around the French capital, this year’s edition of Paris Autumn Festival or Festival d’Automne showcases a diverse array of performances and events, spanning from theatre, dance and music to visual arts and cinema.

Astérix, le Voyage Immersif– L’Atelier des Lumière Océans, until January 5, 2025

Asterix, the Immersive Journey transports you to meticulous recreations of the famous comic strip. Uderzo’s pencil strokes are highlighted in every scene, fluidly and expressively, bringing the characters to life, capturing their humor and emotion.

Paris Photo – Grand Palais Éphémère, November 7- November 10, 2024

This event is set to be a flurry of exhibitions, conversations, artist signature sessions and curated shows. Paris Photo 2024 is your place to be if you love photography, or want to keep abreast of all the latest trends, equipment and technology.

New Beaujolais Festival- November 21, 2024

The third Thursday of November every year is when Beaujolais Nouveau, a vibrant red wine from the Beaujolais region is released. This day is steeped in tradition. Many events are held across France to celebrate this occasion of uncorking the first Beaujolais of the year. Do visit your local bar on this day. Chances are, they would be celebrating the first Beaujolais too.

Marie Claire Idées- Salon Créations & Savoir-Faire- Porte de Versailles, November 27 – December 1, 2024

For all the crafty DIY lovers in Paris, this year’s edition of the Créations et Savoir-Faire promises to showcase a ton of inspirations from diverse domains, including fabrics, jewelery designing, scrapbooking and even in creative foods. Basically, any and every DIY hobby you can think of, they have materials and workshops for that. 

Sports

Rolex Paris Masters- Accord Arena, until November 3, 2024

The indoor-hard ATP Masters 1000 tournament was established in 1986 for male tennis players. Since then, some of the world’s best tennis players have competed in this tournament held annually in the city of Paris.

Food

The Hood – Chope Chope Pop-up of Singaporean Chefs, until December 1, 2024

Chope Chope is a yearly food event taking place at The Hood Paris. Chope Chope shares Singapore’s food heritage and culture, giving Paris a glimpse of the rich influences that define Singapore’s cuisine. Visiting Singaporean chefs continue the journey in November with renowned chef Damian d’Silva in residence from November 6-10. he explores the complex Peranakan flavors. Starting November 28 until December 1, Ipoh roots meets Singapore for the final installment.

Exhibitions

Gustave Caillebotte, Peindre les hommes, Musée d’Orsay – until January 19, 2025

Male figures are the focus of Peindre les homes. This blockbuster exhibition takes place to mark the 130th anniversary of the renowned painter’s death. Rediscover the works of this 19th century artist through 70 works in this must-see exhibition.

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

The blockbuster Harriet Backer exhibition is still on display at the Musée d’Orsay. A household name in her native Norway but less known abroad , Harriet Backer used rich colors and evoked a personal view of everyday life. Realism and Impressionism were a hugely influential on her, and her work depicts scenes from nature, churches, and still lifes.

Surrealism, George Pompidou Centre, until January 13, 2025

The great masters of Surrealism are featured in this major exhibition. Presented in 14 chapters, The Pompidou’s permanent collection is highlighted, including the work of Salvador Dali, René Magritte, Dorothea Tanning, Tatsuo Ikeda, Giorgio de Chirico, Leonora Carrington, Max Ernst, Helen Lundeberg, Joan Miro and many others.

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

The Bourse de Commerce’s Arte Povera features this major Italian artistic movement from the 1960’s. 13 artists are highlighted: 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 1700’s to the present day, hundreds of works examine how the concept of intimacy has changed over the years. The likes of Henri Cartier-Bresson to Nan Goldin, common items such as walkmans and social media, surveillance tools, sex toys and more – the line between public and private has never been more blurred.

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

The exhibition Science/Fiction — A Non-History of Plants looks at the visual history of plants. Art, technology and science from the 19th ^century until today is the focus. More than 40 artists from across the world and time periods, 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

A pillar of Brazilian modernism, Tarsila do Amaral (1886-1973) created innovative works. Her oeuvre is inspired by indigenous, popular and modern facets of her native country.

Music

• Mayerling – Kenneth MacMillan: Paris National Opera Ballet – Palais Garnier -Opéra de Paris- Nov 1-2, 6-10, 13-16
• Alexander Kantorow and the Munich Philharmonic – Philharmonie de Paris, November 2
• William Forsythe & Johan Inger: Paris Opera Ballet – Palais Garnier (Paris Opera House) – Nov 3
• Marcus King – Le Bataclan – Nov 3
• The Magic Flute: Paris Opera – Opera Bastille – Nov 5, 7, 9, 12, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23
• Black Stone Cherry – L’Olympia – Nov 6
• Orchestre de Paris, Klaus Mäkelä conducting works by Strauss, Messiaen, Fauré, Escaich- Philharmonie de Paris – November 6-7
• Ivo Pogorelich, Philarmonie de Paris, Nov 12
• Cigarettes After Sex – Accor Arena -Nov 16
• Opera a Palazzo: La Traviata – Jacquemart-Andre Museum – Nov 16, 23
• The Magic Flute in Pantomime – Champs Elysees Theatre – Nov 17
• Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Accor Arena – Nov 17
• Olivia Ruiz – L’Olympia – Nov 20
• Shaka Ponk – Accor Arena – Nov 28
• The Rake’s Progress: Paris National Opera – Palais Garnier (Paris Opera House) – Nov 30

Christmas Festivities Begin in Paris

One of the best parts of Paris at the end of November, is its magical transformation, as the city prepares for Christmas and the New Year.

Window displays and decorations

Starting around the middle of November, the city of light will be adorned by Christmas decorations, done with very distinct Parisian flair. Some of the larger department stores, and luxury labels in Paris truly go out of the way with their designs.

Some of the spots not to miss for Christmas decorations are:

• Avenue des Champs-Elysées
• Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré
• Place Vendôme
• Avenue Montaigne
• Window displays at Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann
• Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche

Paris Christmas Markets

Christmas markets start popping open in Paris by the end of November. Generally, the first to open are the larger markets. Many smaller Christmas markets set up shop only in the beginning of December. But there’s already plenty of options here. Here are some of the marché de Noel that begin in November:

• Christmas Market at the Jardin des Tuileries: Tuileries Garden, November 16 – January 1, 2025 – Place de la Concorde, Paris 75001
• Notre Dame Christmas Market, November 29 – December 25, 2024
• Alsatian Christmas Market: Gare de l’Est – on the rue d’Alsace side, November 29 – December 25, 2024 Paris 75010
• Abbess Christmas Market, Place des Abbesses, Paris 75018

With fewer tourists, November is a good time to visit Paris if you don’t mind the cooler temperatures and a dash of rain. So, whether you’re sipping vin chaud in a cozy bistro, admiring art in the Louvre, or simply gazing at the Eiffel Tower against the pretty fall sky, Paris this time of the year promises a memorable adventure.

Written by Pronoti Baglary. Looking to travel? Check out Plum Guide and our Marketplace for fabulous vacation rentals in Paris, France or Italy. Looking to rent long or short term, or buy in France? Ask us! We can connect you to our trusted providers for amazing service and rates or click here. Looking to bring France home to you or to learn online or in person? Check out our marketplace shop and experiences.