If you’re looking for the perfect time to visit Paris, look no further than the fall months. While everyone sings about “April in Paris”, one of my favorite months to visit is October.
There are countless reasons to love Paris at any time, but only in October do you get that tantalizing hint that summer is gone and winter is just around the corner. The sun is still bright but seems to cast a more vibrant light through the trees with their autumn colors. And the crisp air is ideal for a stroll through any of the perfect parks in the city. With so many to choose from, my fall favorites are the Tuileries Gardens, Luxembourg Gardens and Parc Chaumont. And whether it’s your first visit or the latest of many, don’t forget to take a stroll through the falling leaves in the city’s largest and most famous cemetery - Père-Lachaise.
But this is also a perfect time of year to just sit in one of the countless sidewalk cafes to enjoy the French traditions of sipping a hot chocolate and watching the parade of Parisians walking past. And be sure to savor some of the city’s cheeses, chocolates and pastries that taste even better in the cooler air.
As if all of this wasn’t enough reason to visit Paris in October, the month also hosts two of the city’s most enjoyable and unique events. On the evening of the first Saturday in October, which falls on October 4th this year, Paris welcomes Nuit Blanche, or White Night. On this special night numerous museums, private and public art galleries, and other cultural institutions and government buildings remain open until late in the night and offer free admission. Even better, designated neighborhoods throughout the city become temporary art centers, offering concerts, dance presentations, theatrical performances, social parties and many other activities. Locals and tourists alike often spend the entire night reveling in the city’s vibrant life. Check out the 2014 White Night offerings. Or, to experience a truly local celebration, venture to the small, private Clos Montmartre vineyard perched high in Montmartre. In the 1920s a group of local artists stopped the development of this tiny corner on the hill and, instead, started their own vineyard. Today, the annual harvesting of the grapes from this small vineyard has become a five day community celebration. Starting on a Wednesday, classes, lectures, shows and exhibitions take place throughout the small neighborhood. Local musicians and artists participate; with many of the events taking place near the picturesque square place du Tertre. A street parade is held on Saturday and the closing ceremonies on Sunday include concerts as well as fireworks that light up the beautiful white dome of the Sacre Coeur.
The wonderful Montmartre quarter of Paris is always a fun place to visit, and this year from October 8th through the 12th you can also experience the unique harvest celebration at Clos Montmartre. Whether its experiencing Nuit Blanche, participating in the harvest celebrations at Clos Montmartre or just enjoying the colors of Autumn in the Paris Parks, October is always a magical time of year to visit the tantalizing City of Lights.