November is not the most obvious month to visit Paris. The days are short, umbrellas work overtime, and scarves become your best friend. But there are almost no tourists, and the city reveals a new, more peaceful side. Tickets during this season are often reasonably priced, especially if purchased in advance.
» READ MORE – Paris Museum Pass
Paris remains Paris in November. For tourists, this is a good time to enjoy the inner world of the city. You won’t be able to walk around for long, but it’s the perfect time to visit museums or small cinemas.
Why November can be a good choice:
- There are almost no queues. Even in the most popular museums, there are no crowds or endless tour groups
- Accommodation is cheaper. Prices fall by 20–30%, and it becomes easier to book rooms in boutique hotels or even luxury options such as the Four Seasons or Plaza Athénée
By the way, if you’re planning a rich cultural programme, the Paris Museum Pass will come in handy. It gives you access to over 50 museums and works especially well during the ‘low season’ when you don’t have to stand in line for half an hour.
» READ MORE – Paris in October 2025: golden autumn
Weather in Paris in November
Paris in November means short days, dampness, and humid warmth coupled with gusty winds. The sun rarely makes an appearance, while rain becomes a frequent visitor – especially toward the end of the month.
| Daytime temperature | It’s chilly at night |
| Around +7…+12°C | Closer to zero |
A warm coat, waterproof shoes, and an umbrella are essential. The main thing is to keep your feet dry and your tea warm in a thermos.
But it is in this kind of weather that you especially appreciate Parisian cafés: cosy rooms with soft lighting, hot chocolate, fireplaces, and windows from which you can enjoy the wet streets without stepping outside.
What is open and what is closed
November in Paris is the depths of autumn, when the city quietly prepares for winter. Here are the main changes in how things work:
- Fountains and park attractions are already turned off (Tuileries, Luxembourg Gardens), and carousels stop operating at the end of October
- Due to shorter days, the Eiffel Tower and bridges are illuminated from 5 p.m. – perfect for evening photography
- Christmas preparations begin: the first markets open in the third week of November (for example, at Notre Dame or on the Champs-Élysées), and the streets are gradually decorated with garlands
Bicycles are not always practical in November: there are fewer of them during rain, and riding through puddles is not for everyone. A hooded jacket and a plan B will come in handy. The same applies to museums – on 1 November (All Saints’ Day), many are closed, and on other days, certain rooms may be unexpectedly undergoing renovation.
November in Paris means soft, diffused light, wet pavements and reflections in puddles. The best photos are taken at dawn and during the ‘blue hour’ after sunset – especially along the Seine embankment, in shop windows or at Christmas markets. Don’t forget a lens cloth – rain here can be as unexpected as everything beautiful.
What happens in Paris in November
This is a month of a slower rhythm, warm light in windows, and the first hints of the approaching Christmas season. The holidays become more personal, exhibitions more reflective, and the cultural calendar more intense.
French holidays
1 November – All Saints’ Day
The French remember the departed, bring chrysanthemums to cemeteries (Père Lachaise is especially crowded), and visit churches.
For tourists, it’s a quiet day for a leisurely stroll through the Marais or Montmartre. The Louvre and other museums remain open, but small shops may be closed.
11 November – Armistice Day 1918
Official ceremonies are held at the Arc de Triomphe, and the city observes a minute of silence at 11:00 a.m.
The metro and buses run, but some streets may be closed, so allow extra time for your journey.
21 November – Beaujolais Nouveau
The new vintage wine is celebrated everywhere: in Le Marais bars, at themed dinners, or simply on the street – in plastic cups, but with the same French enthusiasm.
It’s best to book tables in popular wine bars in advance – the young wine festival in Paris is never boring.
28 November – Black Friday
Although not a public holiday, Black Friday has firmly taken root in Paris. On this day, Galeries Lafayette and other stores turn shopping into a marathon: 30%–50% off clothing, cosmetics, gifts, and everything you’ve wanted but postponed buying.
Christmas markets
From mid-November, you’ll find the first fairy lights, the scent of mulled wine, and shop windows that resemble theatre sets:
- The Champs-Élysées turns into a glittering corridor. There’s everything here: an ice rink where you can skate among the garlands, food pavilions, carousels, and stalls with gifts for every taste. Even if you don’t buy anything, the atmosphere is captivating
- Notre Dame is more intimate and cosy. Fewer tourists, but more authentic goods: knitted mittens, handmade candles, and chocolate
- La Défense offers a modern touch: glass cubes, LED installations, and a food court with cuisines from around the world
» READ MORE – First Time in Paris: planning your ideal trip
Paris Photo
The international photography fair returns to the renovated Grand Palais from 13 to 16 November. More than 200 galleries, rare vintage photographs, AI art, women’s projects, and book pavilions. If you’re planning to buy something, come early on weekdays.
Créations & Savoir-faire
A Parisian mecca for anyone who knits, embroiders, or crafts! More than 500 master classes, dozens of trends, and Christmas gift ideas await at Paris Expo from 26 to 30 November. As usual, tickets are cheaper when purchased in advance.
What else is there to do?
You can explore the city on a warm double-decker bus tour. In autumn, such tours are especially convenient: you see the city without getting your feet wet.
Tootbus Paris: Hop-on Hop-off busIf you’re into sports, don’t miss the chance to take a unique tour of the Stade de France stadium! Visit the stands, changing rooms, the pitch itself, and the stadium museum. This place leaves a lasting impression.
A trip to Paris in November is peaceful, economical, and deeply autumnal.
VENUS MAJOR / Unsplash 
Timelab / Unsplash 
Public domain 
Xavier Praillet / Unsplash
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!