Paris Events November 2021 - Things to Do

Top Paris events in November 2021 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 middle of the month, you can even start visiting festive Paris Christmas markets and enjoying the hot mulled wine, regional food specialties, and gift shopping.

Save on your Paris travel with Black Friday sales on tours, flights, hotels, & more

Top photo: Bouquiniste on the Left Bank of the Seine River

Christmas Window Displays in Paris - Schedule

Christmas at Disneyland Paris during November — Dancing dolls and a fairy tale castle displayed in a store window at Galeries Lafayette

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 but sometimes as early as November 1. The imaginative Christmas window displays enchant adults and children alike, and become more fantastic with animations and music each year - and of course draw shoppers inside where even more dazzling decorations create holiday cheer.

Galeries Lafayette boasts the most elaborate - and most anticipated - windows, inspired by a different theme each year. This year, for example, the windows display 11 scenes showing Céleste, a young girl who travels the world to meet fantastic characters inspired by Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince. You'll see a snow-covered jungle and its huge snow leopard, the village of the polar bears, the desert with its amazing flower, and the Russian dolls. Céleste finally returns to Paris bringing many gifts. You can watch animations depicting all of this, with the show repeating every half hour.

Want to join the crowds of fans that gather for each Parisian department store's annual holiday windows "reveal" ceremony? (

Here's the store window unveiling schedule for 2021 (all dates to be confirmed):

Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche (Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche - 24 rue de Sèvres, 7th) - Christmas windows for viewing with 2021's theme ; inside the Rive Gauche store, look for 4 huge Christmas trees, each with a different theme - starts October 29
BHV Marais (52 rue de Rivoli, 4th) - Christmas windows "reveal" with an Italian "From the Medicis' glory to Fellini's decadent baroque" theme (rumored to not be 100% family friendly) inside, don't miss the popup movie theater showing Italian movies (free), plus workshops for making your own Christmas decoration, Italian cookies, and "enchanted surprises" - starts November 11
Galeries Lafayette (40 boulevard Haussmann, 9th) In addition to the fabulous Christmas windows, don't miss the gigantic Christmas tree, with a glass walkway for closeup views and selfies - starts November 17
Printemps Haussmann (64 boulevard Haussmann, 9th) - Christmas windows on display: starts mid-November

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

Armistice Day Ceremony in Paris - November 11, 2021

Eternal flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris

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. A solemn vigil takes place at the Tomb in the evening. Both remembrances always occur on November 11.

When: Wreath-laying 11am, vigil at 9pm

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

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. Private tour for a group of up to 7 - 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
Somme - Visit the famous battleground, Deville Wood cemetery, war memorials, and the Great War Museum in Peronne - More

Find out more about visiting the Arc de Triomphe

Paris Christmas Markets

Sparkling lights and decorations, the smell of roasting chestnuts, cups of hot mulled wine, and Swiss-style chalets overflowing with special holiday foods, hand-crafted gifts, and decorations . . . Christmas Markets, a tradition since Medieval times, pop up all over Paris starting in mid-to-late November.

Due to the ongoing Covid pandemic, there are sure to be some changes and cancelations this year, but the good news is that at least one market has already confirmed its dates.

Check the Paris Christmas Market Schedule for 2021

Things to Do in Paris in November

Visiting Paris in November? Enjoy these fun activities, including a few indoor choices in case the weather turns chilly:

- Paris Wine & Cheese Lunch - Love wine and cheese? In this small group experience in a beautiful tasting wine bar in a 17th century "hotel particulier" (private mansion) near the Louvre, you'll try 5 wines from different French regions and savor them with perfectly paired French cheese and charcuterie as you learn about their unique flavors and origins. Book now

- Paris Catacombs Skip-The-Line Ticket & Audio Guide - This best-selling experience takes you far below the streets of Paris into an immense maze of tunnels and rooms containing the skulls and bones of about 6 million Parisians. By the time you leave, you'll know all about where the dead go when Paris cemeteries fill up. Perfect adventure for a rainy day! Book now

- Moulin Rouge Show with Dinner Options - Enjoy a delicious dinner (vegetarian and vegan options available) and fantastic performance of the Féerie show at the legendary Moulin Rouge for a quintessential Paris night on the town! Book now

- Paris Christmas Lights Bus Tour - See all the fantastic holiday lights around the city! Starts on November 27. Book now

Salon du Chocolat 2021

Part trade show, part entertainment, the Salon du Chocolat lets you immerse yourself in all things chocolate as over 500 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 at this family-friendly event love the fun workshops set up just for them - and of course, the chocolate.

When: Oct 28 - Nov 1, 2021, open 10am-7pm each day
Location: Porte de Versailles, Pavilion 5
Getting there: Metro station and Tramway: Porte des Versailles, 15th arrondissement
Tickets: 14.20€ adults, 6,20€ children from 3-12, free for children under 3 - available at the door
Ticketmaster, and also at the door
More information: Salon du Chocolat website

Christmas at Disneyland Paris Starts in November

Christmas at Disneyland Paris during December — Christmas at Disneyland during December - Photo by Craig Adderley

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 gorgeous 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.

When: November 6 - January 9

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:

Paris Exhibits - Must-See Shows for November

Previous show at the Atelier des Lumières

November weather in Paris can be tricky, and you should always have a few bad-weather day activities in mind. Visit these museum shows when you want to stay warm indoors and immerse yourself in Paris's top cultural treasures:

Napoleon: The Exhibition

@ Grande Halle de La Villette - This blockbuster show explores the heroic and tragic life of Napoleon Bonaparte and his role in shaping today's France; uses 150+ original artworks, personal items, huge reconstructions, and digitized displays to immerse visitors in decisive moments in French history.
Dates: Now through December 19, 2021
Tickets: 20€ adults; purchase in advance through the event website
Location: 211 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 19th arrondissement; Metro: Porte de Pantin or Porte de La Villette

Signac, the Collector

@ Orsay Museum - See how Signac's love of color led to his collections of Impressionists (Cezanne, Monet, Degas), Neo-Impressionists (Seurat, Pissarro), Nabis (Bonnard, Vuillard, Vallotton), and Fauves (Matisse).
Dates: September 28, 2021 - January 16, 2022
Tickets: 16€ adults; temporary exhibitions included with general admission although may require a reserved time slot Book on the museum website for reserved time slot or through Get Your Guide for skip-the-line access
Location: 1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, Paris 7; Metro: Pont de l'Alma; Invalides

Find more Paris museum exhibitions for November & future months

Paris Museum and Attractions Passes

Get free admission and skip-the-line access to 60+ museums in and near Paris when you have a Paris Museum Pass for 2, 4, or 6 days. (Access to special shows may require an additional ticket.) More info

November Concerts in Paris - 2021

Paris Opera Hall — Palais Garnier ("Paris Opera House")

From opera to jazz to rock, from opera to ballet, 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!

Rigoletto - Palais Garnier (Paris Opera House) - November 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, 20, 24
Alexander Ekman's Play - Palais Garnier (Paris Opera House) - Nov 1, 5, 6
Le Rouge et le Noir (The Red & the Black): Paris Opera Ballet - Palais Garnier (Paris Opera House) - Nov 2, 3, 4
L'Elisir d'Amore - Opéra Bastille - November 2, 9
The Very Best of John Williams - Le Grand Rex - November 3
The Flying Dutchman - Opéra Bastille - Nov 3, 6
IAMDDB - Le Bataclan - November 9
Alanis Morissette - AccorHotels Arena- Nov 13
Alcina - Palais Garnier (Paris Opera House) - Nov 25, 28

More Paris classical concerts, opera, & dance performances during November

More Paris rock, electronic, pop, jazz, & other performances during November

Find Paris concerts for other months

Day Trip to Mont Saint Michel in November

November is the perfect month to visit Mont Saint Michel, the magnificent medieval abbey rising from a tiny island just off the Atlantic Coast between Normandy and Brittany.

Comfortable private coach transportation from Paris makes it possible to visit Mont Saint Michel in just one day, while seeing the beautiful French countryside along the way. During August, you'll have lots of daylight and usually wonderful weather for your excursion.

Here are two of the most popular day trip choices:

Full-Day Mont Saint Michel Tour - Small group tour. Explore on your own, after a quick orientation about the most important sights from your guide
Full-Day Mont Saint-Michel Guided Tour - Choose this tour if you prefer a fully-guided experience, including lunch