I’m not going to lie, visiting Paris in chilly November isn’t for everyone, but it can also be amazing. The summer crowds have gone home, the roasted chestnut sellers are out, and there are a bunch of cool events. You can also get some incredible flight and hotel deals, making it one of the most affordable times to come to Paris, or the perfect opportunity to treat yourself to a hotel upgrade.
But with all these advantages come a few downsides, mainly in the form of decreasing temperatures and increasing rainy days in Paris. These little inconveniences can be easily handled with an umbrella, a cute scarf, and by getting involved in some of the activities and events I’m about to share. You’ll definitely have a fantastic trip by including some of these best things to do in Paris in November in your itinerary.
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Image Courtesy of Paris Restaurant Week via Instagram
Eat your way through Paris Restaurant Week
Paris is a fabulous foodie destination year-round, but the city turns into one big dining room during Paris Restaurant Week. Well, actually it’s two weeks, so from November 1 to 15, a whole range of restaurants serve special set menus, often at amazing prices too.
Scan the website to see places that catch your eye, and book tables in advance. Parisians know a good deal when they see one, and the best tables go fast. These will likely be the best meals of your whole trip and it might also give you a chance to discover some new chefs that weren’t on your radar.
Paris Restaurant Week | Across Paris | 1-5 November
Image Courtesy of Catacombs
Head underground to the Catacombs on All Saints’ Day
The spooky season doesn’t end at midnight on Halloween. The very next day, 1 November, is La Toussaint, All Saints’ Day, when French families celebrate deceased relatives by visiting cemeteries and lay flowers on their graves.
What better day to explore Paris’s most famous resting place? The Catacombs hold around six million bones, stacked in eerie, surprisingly artistic patterns beneath the streets of southern Paris.
The best way to see this curious site is on a guided Catacombs tour. You won’t have to worry about getting entrance tickets (which are actually a bit tricky to get), and during the tour you’ll hear all the stories behind the unique site, plus access to areas you can’t see on a regular visit.
The Catacombs | 14th Arrondissement | 1 November
Image Courtesy of GetYourGuide
Honor Armistice Day by learning about French military history
On 11 November, France marks the end of World War I with a big ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe (WA), which is first and foremost a military monument and is home to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. So it’s the perfect moment to explore the country’s military past, and there are actually a few interesting places you can do this in Paris.
A good place to start is at Les Invalides, a complex in the 7th arrondissement that houses the Army Museum and Napoleon’s over-the-top tomb. If you’d like to take a deep dive into its collections, join this guided tour of Les Invalides, or head out on foot with a WWII walking tour covering the Occupation, the Resistance and the Liberation of Paris. It’s a pretty eye-opening experience, and you’ll never look at Paris’s grand boulevards the same way again.
(WA = Wheelchair Accessible)
Image Courtesy of Paris Photo
See the world’s best photography at Paris Photo and Photo Days
Every November, photography fans flock to Paris for a month-long celebration of this art form. The headline act is Paris Photo, the world’s largest art fair dedicated to photography and image-based art, taking place from 12 to 15 November 2026 at the Grand Palais.
The fair brings together over 200 exhibitors from 38 countries, and this year will be extra special as it’ll celebrate the 200th anniversary of the invention of photography. And if you’re craving more, over the course of most of the month, you can catch the Photo Days festival, with special exhibitions in art galleries and unexpected venues all over the city.
Paris Photo | Grand Palais | WA | 12-15 November
Image Courtesy of MIF
Shop for amazing “Made in France” souvenirs
Skip the plastic Eiffel Tower keyrings and make your way to the Made in France Expo instead. From 12 to 15 November, the trade fair showcases France’s craftsmanship and will feature around 1,000 products made right here.
You can find everything from striped shirts, handmade knives, artisan cosmetics, gourmet treats, and fun design items. It’s a treasure trove for unique gifts, and a fantastic place to get a head start on your Christmas shopping.
Made in France Expo | Porte de Versailles | WA | 12 – 15 November
Image Courtesy of Anvers aux Abbesses
Take a peek in real artists’ studios in Montmartre
Montmartre has been an artists’ neighbourhood since Renoir, Van Gogh and Picasso set up their easels here over 100 years ago. The area’s artsy spirit lives on today, and once a year, you have a great opportunity to learn more about its current artists.
Over the weekend of 20-23 November, around 70 art studios open their doors to the public. See which places are participating on the artist association’s website, Anvers aux Abbesses, then once you hit the streets, look out for the red banners marking each open studio. Pop inside, chat with the artists about their work, and maybe take home an original piece.
Anvers aux Abbesses | Montmarte | 20-23 November
Raise a glass to Beaujolais Nouveau wine
On the third Thursday of November, you’ll see all kinds of signs announcing “Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé!”. This is when the first wine of the season is released, and bars and bistros across Paris celebrate lively “tasting” events.
The wine is young, fruity and not meant to be taken too seriously. Find a cosy wine bar, order a glass or bottle to go with some fromage et charcuterie and toast to the harvest like a local. It’s one of my favorite things to do in Paris in November, and I never miss out on the fun.
Catch the first sparkle of Christmas
By late November, Paris starts twinkling, so you can catch the festive spirit in advance. The holiday lights go up along the famous avenues, department store windows unveil their incredible animated displays, and the first Christmas markets begin popping up.
So if you’d like to experience the season’s magic in November, I’ve actually brought together everything you need to know about Christmas in Paris, in our new Paris Festive Season Guide. It’s packed full of info, including the best Christmas Markets and other special events taking place over the season, many of which already start before the end of the month.
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