Paris Events for November 2018

Top Paris events in November 2018 include Armistice Day ceremonies, lots of wonderful concerts and museum shows, and the chance to immerse yourself in all things chocolate at the popular Salon du Chocolate show packed with demos, tastings, and even a fashion show.

By the second week in November, the big Paris department stores unveil their spectacular holiday window displays and dazzling lights and decorations begin to sparkle across the city. 

You may notice the days getting shorter and the air crisper, but November weather in Paris usually offers mellow sunny days for enjoying the changing leaf hues. 

Stroll through any of the city's many parks such as Tuileries Garden and Luxembourg Garden to soak up the fall foliage colors and enjoy the last late-blooming flowers.

Want to get a taste of the holiday season?  Head to Disneyland Paris where Christmas celebrations begin during the second week of November.  Toward the end of the month, you'll even find a few traditional Paris Christmas markets beginning to open.

Christmas Window Displays in Paris - 2018

The four famous big Paris department stores - Galeries Lafayette, Printemps Haussmann, Bon Marché, and BHV Marais - reveal their spectacular decorations in early November, usually during the second week of the month.  The imaginative Christmas window displays enchant adults and children alike - and of course draw shoppers inside where more dazzling decorations create holiday cheer.

More about holiday window displays and Christmas decorations in Paris department stores

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More to Do in Paris in December

Salon du Chocolat - 2018

Part trade show, part entertainment, the Salon du Chocolat lets you immerse yourself in all things chocolate as over 200 chocolate producers, pastry chefs, candy makers, and artisans from around the world present five days packed with activities and events.  You can attend cooking demos by top chefs at the Pastry Show, discover the wonders of chocolate at the Cacao Show, indulge in tastings at the Chocosphere, and enjoy a fashion show with models dressed in chocolate.  Kids love the fun workshops - and of course, the chocolate.

When:  Through November 1, 2018, open 10am-7pm each day (dates and times to be confirmed for 2018)
Location:  Porte de Versailles, Pavilion 5
Getting there:   Metro station and Tramway:  Porte des Versailles, 15th arrondissement
Tickets:  14€ adults, 6,50€ children from 3-12, free for children under 3 - available through Fnac or Ticketmaster, and also at the door
More information:   Salon du Chocolat website

Christmas at Disneyland Paris Starts in November 

Enchanted Christmas celebrations start at Disneyland Paris in early November and continue into January with plenty of entertainment and holiday spirit for everyone.

You'll find a spectacular giant tree, entertaining shows, festive Christmas parades, and holiday decorations everywhere.  Each year brings new holiday features, lights, and shows at both Disney Parks, an immersive nighttime extravaganza, and singing carols with Santa, Mickey, and Minnie for a magical experience you won't forget.  Look for the special Mouse Party twist in 2018!

When: November 10, 2018 - January 6, 2019

Disneyland Paris and Transportation

Take RER A to the Marne-la-Valée station across a small plaza from Disneyland Paris, and buy your tickets at the gate - or check out these options to make your trip faster and easier:

November Concerts in Paris - 2018

From opera to jazz to rock, you'll find concerts featuring every type of music you can imagine in Paris.

Short days and chilly nights make November an especially good month for classical concerts held in centuries-old churches.  Look for candlelight concerts for a special experience!

• Vivaldi's Four Seasons, Albinoni, Pachebel, & Mozart - La Madeleine Church - Nov 28 - Tickets
• Paris National Opera:  Simon Boccanegra - Opera Bastille - Nov 28 - Tickets
• Bach Suites for Violoncello Solo - Saint Ephrem Church - Nov 30 - Tickets
• Chopin, Beethoven, Debussy, Tchaikovsky - Saint Ephrem Church - Nov 29 - Tickets
• Cinderella:  Paris Opera - Opera Bastille - Nov 27, 29, 30 - Tickets
• Missa Solemnis:  Beethoven - Notre Dame Cathedral - Nov 27, 28 - Tickets
• Find more Paris concerts for November

Find Paris concerts for other months

Armistice Day Ceremony in Paris - November 11, 2018

Pay your respects to those who died or were injured during war - almost 1.6 million French soldiers died during World War I and II combined - on Armistice Day, November 11.  Armistice Day was established on November 11, 1918 as combat ended during World War I - the "war to end all wars."

In a somber ceremony at the base of the Arc de Triomphe, the French president inspects the troops and lays a red, white, and blue wreath near the eternal flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which honors all French troops who died in the war.

When:  11am, November 11
Want to know more?  Visit the Georges Clemenceau Museum (8 rue Benjamin Franklin, 16e); Clemenceau became France's prime minister in 1917 and orchestrated both France's final assaults on the Axis powers as well as the armistice agreement after the Allied victory.  Usually open only in the afternoon; check hours
Coming in 2018:  France will mark the 100 year anniversary of the end of World War I with a grand Armistice Centennial attended by envoys from 80 countries.

Visit World War I battlefields - These special small-group and private tours take you to visit the most famous World War I French battle sites, museums, and memorials:

• Aisne, Marne and Belleau Wood - Explore sites of these important battles involving American troops, the Museum of the Great War in Meaux, and cemeteries - More
• Somme - Visit the famous battleground, Deville Wood cemetery, war memorials, and the Great War Museum in Peronne - More
• Verdun and Meuse-Argonne - Tour these famous battlefields as well as the Fort of Douaumont, Château-Thierry, the Romagne War Museum, the Trench of Bayonets, and cemeteries - More

In Memoriam Concert: In Memory of World War I

The Paris Choral Society presents In Memoriam, a special concert dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I at the American Cathedral (23 Avenue George V, 8th arr) on November 30. 

Details and ticket information:  Paris Choral Society website

Paris Museum Exhibits - Shows to See during November

November weather in Paris can be tricky, and you should always have a few bad-weather day events in mind.  Visit these museum shows when you want to stay warm indoors:

Dazzling Venice!

@ Grand Palais, September 26, 2018-January 21, 2019 - This live show immerses you in dazzling 18th century Venice during its most prosperous period of great theater, entertainment, music, and art.  Closed on Tuesdays.  Tickets 15€ 
Location:  Grand Palais, Avenue Winston-Churchill, 8th arr 
Nearest Metro: Champs-Élysées-Clemenceau
More info: https://www.grandpalais.fr

Private Collections: A Journey of Impressionists to the Fauves

@ Musée Marmottan Monet, September 13 through February 10, 2019 - On display will be 60 seldom-shown pieces from private collection by Monet, Degas, Renoir, Rodin, Claudel, Seurat, Bonnard, Derain, Matisse, Gauguin, and other important artists from Impressionism to Fauvism. Open Wednesday - Monday; 10am-6pm and until 9pm on Thursdays.  General admission 11€; includes this exhibit
Location: 2 rue Louis Boilly, 16e.  Nearest Metro:  La Muette
More info: www.marmottan.fr

Caravaggio's Roman Period - 2018

@ Musée Jacquemart-André, September 21-January 28, 2019 - Extraordinary masterpieces gathered from major Italian museums and the Hermitage Museum of St Petersburg showcase Caravaggio's late 16th century-early 17th century Roman period and explore his revolutionary impact on art as well as his links with the collectors, other artists, poets, and scholars of his time.  Tickets 13.50€ 
Location:  158 Boulevard Haussmann, 8th arr. 
Nearest Metro : Saint Philippe du Roule

Picasso: Blue & Rose Masterpieces!

@ Picasso Museum, September 4 - January 2019 - This special exhibit brings together Picasso's recognized masterpieces from all over the world - some of which will be shown in Paris for the first time - and explores what "masterpiece" means in the context of Picasso's massive body of work.

Admission:  Exhibit included with museum admission of 12.50 €; free admission and priority access when you have a Paris Museum Pass 
Location: 5 rue de Thorigny, 3rd arrondissement; closed Mondays
Metro: Saint-Sébastien-Froissart

More Top Paris Things to Do & See in November