Things to do in Paris this fall


 

After the business of the summer months, Paris gets much quieter during the fall, so visiting at this time of year is a great idea! The temperatures are much more pleasant, and the beautiful fall foliage of the trees makes for great pictures. And although fall might not be the time where Parisians are the happiest. I’m sure you understand that getting back to work is not the most satisfactory! Nonetheless, Fall is a really lively time of the year in the city, with a lot of great events taking place. Here is a list of some of the things to do in Paris this fall, according to a local.

Try to attend the Paris Fashion Week

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If there is one moment where you’ll be able to witness Paris living up to its reputation of “capital of fashion“, it is during the Paris Fashion Week! It happens starting on September, 28th and ends on October, 8th. Few people get lucky enough to attend one of the shows, but you can still get an exciting experience wandering around the place and seeing all the famous models coming and going.

I love Paris during the Fashion Week. I’ve never been to an actual fashion show, but I know it takes place in the most wonderful places. I mean, could you think of a better place for a fashion show? For instance, Yves Saint Laurent creations walking with the Eiffel Tower on the background. It is simply the best! The shows happen on the most marvellous places of Paris, such as the Opera Garnier, the Colonnes de Buren and many more! So, if you have the chance to get inside one of the shows in Paris, you’re in luck, because it really must be a great experience!

Attend some exhibitions

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In Fall, there are many exhibitions happening in Paris. You just have to pick which one best suits your interests! Also, going to exhibitions is a must if you want to live the “Parisian Experience” to the fullest. Paris is one of the richest cities in terms of culture, knowledge and activities, mostly thanks to the incredible amount of exhibitions organized every year. Read on to find out some of the exhibitions that will take place in Paris this autumn:

  • The “Picasso 1932. Année érotique” exhibition starts on October, 10th of 2017 and ends on February, 11th of 2018. It happens at the Picasso Museum in Paris. What is it about? Organised in partnership with the Tate Modern in London, it simply presents Picasso’s whole year of 1932. You will get the chance to see all his 1932 major works and find out how important this year was for his carrer.
  • Starting on October, 24th of 2017 until February, 25th of 2018, you can attend “Les visiteurs de Versailles (1682-1789)” at Versailles Castle. You know Versailles as it is now, but thanks to the exhibition you will get to see how it was for the visitors under the reigns of Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI. It was organised in parternship with the Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York, so both the Versailles Castle and the Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York assemble an incredible collections of the visitors that walked Versailles floor. Princes, ambassadors, philosophers, writers have been on the same rooms as we do at Versailles. The exhibition allows us to discover how it was back then, their outfits, the decorations, their customs. I really think it’s a great exhibition! It gives a new perspective on Versailles.
  • Do you know Irving Penn? He is one of the greatest photographers of the 20th century. He is known for his intimate celebrities portraits. The Irving Penn Foundation, the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Grand Palais in Paris offer us the opportunity to have a look at his most outstanding shots. Pablo Picasso, Yves Saint Laurent, Audrey Hepburn, Alfred Hitchcock, are some of the people who have been photographed by Irving Penn!

Have a yummy experience

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From the 28th of October until the 1st of November, the Salon du Chocolat, so to speak Paris Chocolate Show, is happening in Paris at Porte de Versailles. You can get there either by metro line 12 or 8. This one really deserves its place as one of my top things to do in Paris this fall, because everything is about chocolate! During the Salon du Chocolat, you can taste chocolate from some of the best chocolate makers of the country, and watch some amazing events such as a chocolate dresses fashion show! It is a yearly trade fair for the international chocolate industry. From chocolate statues, free tastings, chocolate fountains to the unforgettable fashion chocolate show, if you’ve dreamed about it, we’ve done it!

Have fun with the locals during the Nuit Blanche

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Another one of the great things to do in Paris this fall is the Nuit Blanche (White Night): every first Saturday of October at sunset, Paris’ streets become filled with works of contemporary art, including beautiful light displays and music performances. It will take place on the 7th of October this year. This Saturday night, hundreds of Paris sites, including museums, galleries, and monuments stay open all night, allowing for some promising cultural discoveries and surreal nocturnal itineraries. Enjoy light installations, many concerts and open swimming pools, all night long! Paris during the White Night is more lively than ever! If you happen to be in Paris that night, it truly is an unmissable event!

Go to the Vendanges de Montmartre

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From the 11th, October ‘til the 15th, October, Montmartre neighborhood is definitely the place to be! You will be able to witness the Vendanges de Montmartre (Montmartre Wine Harvest). It is a fantastic way to experience the best of Paris during Fall. You might not know it, but the very touristy hill of Montmartre includes a beautiful vineyard which is celebrated every year when the grapes are picked in October. This is surely one of the great things to do in Paris this fall if you want to get to know France’s wine traditions – the festival, which includes music shows, workshops and tastings, ends with a parade around the hill and beautiful fireworks in front of the Sacré Coeur.

It is a celebration of the reasons why we love and worship wine in France, but also the time to have fun and enjoy regional products, wine tasting and much more! During five days, this great event brings togetherness, from musicians, performing artists and fireworks to wine connoisseurs and families. Exhibitions, concerts, parades will also be happening.

Also, this year at the bottom of the Sacré Coeur Basilica, there will be many stands dedicated to five Portuguese districts: Tâmega e Sousa, Trás-os-Montes, Coimbra, Beiras e Serra da Estrela, Beira Baixa. It will be the opportunity to try Portuguese specialties such as olive oil, the famous Queijo da Serra cheese, tasteful wines, and many pastéis! If you’re curious, love to try new stuff, and want to have a good time, Montmartre is the best place to be at between the 11th and the 15th of October!

Visit the Yves Saint Laurent Museum

Yves Saint Laurent Museum

Since the beginning of his career, Yves Saint Laurent archived all his creations. Thanks to him, we now have the chance to see all his work. He’s one of the greatest fashion designers who’s ever walked this earth! So, it’s obvious that we had to have a museum dedicated to him. The Yves Saint Laurent Museum has officially opened its doors on October, 3rd of 2017. Plus, the museum is located at his old fashion house, on 5 Avenue Marceau. It is 15 minutes away from the Eiffel Tower. If you like fashion and have always been a fan of Yves Saint Laurent, now is the time to discover his world, his inspirations and all his greatest creations!

Try the Beaujolais Nouveau

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The Beaujolais wine is very famous! Everyone wants to taste the new Beaujolais wine! It is the wine made out of the first wine’s grape harvest, so it’s basically the first wine of the season. The first bottles will be sold and opened on November, 16th. Either you want to buy a bottle or only taste it, it won’t be difficult for you to find it because it will be sold all around Paris!

You now know many things to do in Paris this fall! I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article and that it has been useful to you! Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need further information about anything! See you soon in Paris!

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