Paris in the Fall
Paris in the Fall. Paris is always a good idea no matter what the season, but many of us have a favourite time, or season of the year, that speaks to us and pulls at our heart strings. What is it that draws us to Paris at a particular season?
Winter with cold days is perfect for sipping a warm drink in a café, or bundling up in cosy clothes and enjoying some of the famous sights with less tourists. Winter also has a certain calm charm about it, and I love that you can see the architecture of the buildings more clearly with the trees bare and exposed.
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Spring overflows with new life, budding blossoms and soft colours. It heralds hope and brings with it more sunshine and outdoor eating.
Summer with its long hazy days and abundant events and activities to choose from entices visitors from near and far who want to make the most of their days in sunny Paris. It's a happy season with ice cream, iced coffee and late night dining.
But Fall, with its rich colour and temperate weather is one of my favourites (Fall and Spring). The sting of heat has abated, nature puts on a fabulous show and all seems calm as the trees shed their leaves. Scrunching leaves underfoot brings out the kid in me too.
These 20 gorgeous photos will inspire you to visit Paris in the Fall.
Eiffel Tower and Champs de Mars
Blazing autumn coloured trees line famous Champ de Mars and perfectly frame Gustave Eiffel's tower in the Fall. Finished in 1889 it's Paris' number one tourist attraction and dominates the city's skyline.
See if you know these amazing facts about the Eiffel Tower and for a thoroughly immersive fictional historical book on the building of the Tower and the people and events surrounding it, read our review of Eiffel's Tower: A Historical Story.
Les Deux Magots
As the weather chills, sitting inside Les Deux Magots watching the world go way seems to hold even more appeal, although snuggled under a blanket and gas heater on the sidewalk is not a bad option. Either way, Fall is the perfect weather to enjoy a Parisian cafe.
Our popular post on Les Deux Magots shares everything you might want to know about this famous Parisian cafe and you can check out their menu also.
Bois De Boulogne Garden, Paris
Bois de Boulogne
Bois de Boulogne is a beautiful spacious park which was opened to the public in 1852 by Emperor Napoleon III.
You'll find it on the outskirts of the 16th arrondissement and it's usually filled with cyclists, joggers, boaters, picnickers, tennis players, horseback riders and diners. The two lakes and eight ponds were installed by Napoleon III and are permanent homes for swans, ducks and other birds.
Saint Sulpice Church in the Autumn
Saint Sulpice Church
Saint Sulpice is the second largest church in Paris (only second to Notre Dame Cathedrale) and it's just off the main tourist drag along the Seine. Saint Sulpice is worth a visit for many reasons and in the Fall you'll find the trees around the square seem to reflect the warm hues of the church stone.
Plan your visit to Saint Sulpice with our best insider travel tips and photos - Saint Sulpice: The Second Largest Church in Paris.
Playing boules in Paris
Paris in the Fall
Imagine playing boules under the autumn leaves and dappled light in Paris - pure French magic!
If you don't know how to play boules, check out our post Rules of Boules with official rules and local know-how.
Eiffel Tower in the Fall
Catching the Eiffel Tower with autumn foliage framing its delicate ironwork is one of my favourite photos of Paris in the Fall.
Jardin du Luxembourg
I particularly love Jardin du Luxembourg with its abundance of chairs and benches, pétanque fields, children's playground, carousel, tennis courts, pond and hidden statues amongst formal gardens.
The flower beds in the formal gardens and the large urns around the garden are changed out regularly with the seasons. In the Fall the urns overflow with autumnal colours of yellow, orange and red, so Jardin du Luxembourg is worth a visit if the temperature suddenly drops.
Fall Food
Macarons in Fall tones add a festive look to your table and are of course delicious. I love them when the weather changes, the days get shorter and you can sit in front of your fireplace with a cup of tea.
Macarons are a quintessential French food - I mean, can you think of French cuisine without thinking of the macaron? Get our Passionfruit Macaron Recipe here and take a look at the exquisite Laduree Macaron Recipe Book.
Seine River
The Seine River cuts through the very heart of Paris and is the epi-center of the vibrant French capital. The gentle waterway is an integral part of the city and its fascinating history.
The river is lined with traditional booksellers and bordered by beautiful boulevards and historic cafés.
Tuilieres Garden
Crunching leaves underfoot and kicking a few into the air is fabulous fun and brings out the kid in me. Oh, that great rewarding 'crunch' when you stomp on a pile of fallen leaves!
Make sure when you're next in Paris during the Fall, you take a moment to sit on an iconic Paris green chair and watch the falling autumn leaves as they descend gently to the ground.
Pont Neuf
Pont Neuf
Pont Neuf is the oldest standing bridge across the river Seine in Paris.
Sacré-Cœur Basilica in the background, Montmartre
Montmartre with Sacré-Cœur Basilica and Maison Rose
Ivy covered buildings, a vineyard and large trees all add to the vibe of Fall in Montmartre. There's no doubt, Montmartre is particularly stunning in the Fall. Strolling the cobbled streets in cooler weather and with less pressing crowds makes the 18th arrondissement a great choice to explore in the Fall.
We've got a great post on the history of Montmartre to help you plan your visit.
Tuileries Garden
Tuileries Garden and the Louvre
When the weather starts to cool, a wander around the Tuileries Garden will refresh you and then if you need to warm up or dry off, you can duck into the Louvre to view famous masterpieces, shop for art or grab a hot drink. All good ideas for an autumn day.
Pont Alexandre III, Paris
Pont Alexandre III
The Pont Alexandre III bridge in Paris is widely regarded as the most ornate, extravagant bridge in Paris and has even been classified as a French historical monument since 1975. The bridge has witnessed many historical occasions including the great flood of 1910 and the worrying low water levels of 2022.
Napoleon Tomb Invalides
Napoleon Bonaparte's Invalides & Tomb
Les Invalides is the resting place or tomb of the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. He was initially buried on Saint Helena, but King Louis Philippe arranged for his remains to be brought to France in 1840, an event known as the “return of the ashes.”
On returning to France he was first buried in Chapelle Saint-Jérôme and he was then later moved into his current and final resting place, the very large red quartzite and green granite tomb you can now see at Les Invalides.
Luxembourg Garden
Sailing Boats in the Autumn Sunshine
Can you imagine anything more calming or charming, than watching adorable wooden sail boats glide across the Grand Bassin duck pond at the Luxumbourg Garden? Basking in the gentle sunshine of Fall while watching children play with the antique wooden boats has to be high on the 'to-do' list in Fall.
A top 'to-do' for any trip to Paris in the Fall.
Montmartre in autumn sunshine
Montmartre Shining in the Fall
The charming hilltop Montmartre district of Paris in the 18th arrondissement (also known as "La Butte") offers a great vantage point of the city. The sweeping views of the city are spectacular from the steep winding streets.
Metro Station on Avenue du Général Leclerc
Opposite the catacomb entrance (Les Catacombes de Paris) on Avenue du Général Leclerc, is the well planted Square Claude-Nicolas-Ledoux. If you have to wait in the queue to enter the catacombes you'll see this square and the metro station entrance.
Montsouris Park, Paris
Montsouris Park
Originally the site of an old quarry, Montsouris Park is now a pleasant and large park for everyone to enjoy. What sets this park apart from others in Paris is the hidden air raid shelters from World War I under the grassy lawns and the meteorological observatory of Montsouris (Observatoire Meteorologique de Montsouris).
Stone and bronze sculptures are dotted around the park adding to its uniqueness.
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