Top Paris events in November 2025 include Toussaint (All Saints Day), 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.

Visiting Paris in November?

If you're planning a visit to Paris this month, consider booking your "bucket list" tours and activities now to get your top choices.

Top Paris attractions & experiences:

Most popular Paris destinations this month:


By the second week in November, the big Paris department stores unveil their spectacular Christmas window displays and dazzling lights and decorations begin to sparkle across the city and the city's biggest Christmas Markets welcome their first visitors of the holiday season. 

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.  Versailles also offers lovely colors in the gardens, plus smaller crowds touring the palace.

Want to get a taste of the holiday season?  Toward the middle of the month, you can start visiting festive Paris Christmas markets and enjoying the hot mulled wine, regional food specialties, and gift shopping.  Or head to Disneyland Paris where Christmas celebrations begin during the second week of November. 

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

French holidays in November:  All Saints Day (La Toussaint, November 1) and Armistice Day (November 11) are public holidays, so all banks and post offices plus  some stores, businesses, and restaurants (especially outside of central Paris) will be closed but most museums, restaurants in central Paris, and other attractions remain open.  All Souls Day (November 2) is a Catholic religious holiday but not a public holiday.

Please note:  The Toussaint school holiday vacation takes place across France between October 19 and November 2 in 2025 (and Oct 19-Nov 2 next year, in case you're planning ahead), so some attractions, including those appealing to kids, may be more crowded than usual during this 2-week period.

Top photo:  Bouquiniste on the Left Bank of the Seine River, (c) Paris Discovery Guide®

Paris Discovery Guide is a reader-supported publication.  When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost for you.  Thank you for your support!!!

Concerts in Paris - November, 2025

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

From rock to indie to jazz, from opera to ballet, you'll find every type of music you can imagine at top concerts in Paris during November 2025:

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!

Check the lineup to find top concerts, opera, ballet, and other music shows happening throughout November, and get your tickets now:

Paris concerts during November include an exciting mix of opera and ballet, top contemporary artists such as Lady Gaga and Julien Dore, and classical concerts in historical churches, where you can hear favorites such as Mozart, Bach, Chopin, Vivaldi, and more:

2025 Concerts

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


All Saints Day (Toussaint) - Best Things to Do

Dragon & Lanterns Stroll at Jardin d'Acclimatation in Bois de Boulogne
Paris street art tour in the 20th arrondissement

La Toussaint (All Saints Day) occurs on November 1 and is a public holiday in France, meaning that banks, schools, and government offices will be closed, but stores, restaurants, and most top attractions will be open.

All Saints Day in Paris is a solemn occasion focused on honoring the dead and spending time with family.  Despite occuring the day after Halloween and on the same day as La Dia de los Muertos, All Saints Day (Toussaint) is not directly related to either of them but in general is far more important in Paris than either of them.

Parisians typically visit cemeteries on Toussaint, clean the graves of their loved ones, and then place candles and pots of flowers such as chrysanthemums on top or nearby. 

If you're in Paris on this day, Touissant is a wonderful time to explore Paris's historical graveyards, see the beautiful masses of flowers on the graves, and enjoy the fall foliage in these special places.  Just remember: this is a solemn occasion, focused on honoring the Dead.

More about Toussaint and the best graveyards to visit

Les Vitrines de Noël - Christmas Window Displays in Paris: 2025 Schedule

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

Five famous big Paris department stores (grands magasins) - Galeries Lafayette, Printemps Haussmann, Bon Marché, BHV Marais, and La Samaritaine - unveil their spectacular Christmas window decorations in early November, giving you the perfect excuse for a festive holiday stroll.

Bon Marché started this wonderful tradition back in 1909 as a way to attract shoppers, and is still often the first store to unveil their holiday windows.  A rivalry soon developed among Paris's grand magasins, the big department stores.  Today, the competition involves designers, artisans, animators, and many other experts to create the fantastical dioramas that delight the crowds of spectators.

Galeries Lafayette usually boasts the most elaborate holiday windows featuring with animated shows on repeat throughout most of the day and evening.

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

Check out the schedule for 2025 (most dates are still to be confirmed, but should be finalized soon):

  • Galeries Lafayette Haussmann (40 Boulevard Haussmann, Paris 9) - In addition to this year's Christmas windows depicting a magical world filled with elves, gifts, and fantastical creatures designed by illustrator Jeanne Detallante, don't miss the store's signature decoration suspended from its dome: a gigantic and gorgeous Christmas tree sparkling with 20,000 lights, with a glass walkway for closeup views and selfies, and a sound and light show, - November 12 - December 31, 2025
  • BHV Marais (52 Rue de Rivoli, Paris 4) - Starts November 5, 5pm (to be confirmed) - Experience a fantasy immersion, complete with music and animations, in an enchanting mansion inhabited by mischevious elves and watch while they transform their home with colorful Christmas decorations. 
  • Printemps Haussmann (64 Boulevard Haussmann, Paris 9) - Get ready for a magical journey aboard the Printemps Express, complete with passengers wearing ecologically-aware clothing made from recycled fabrics in the dazzling Christmas windows:  starts November 5, 5pm to December 31 (to be confirmed).
  • Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche (24 Rue de Sèvres, Paris 7) - Colorful creatures and magical Parisian scenes will entertain you in this year's four special Christmas windows on Rue de Sèvres; also look for them inside the festively decorated Rive Gauche store - Starts November 6, 5pm (to be confirmed)
  • La Samaritaine (19 Rue de la Monnaie, Paris 1) - The store transforms into an enchanted winter garden where you can stroll among luminous creatures and gigantic plants - November 6, 6pm - January 4 (to be confirmed)

Mark these dates on your calendar.  Please keep in mind that occasionally, installation glitches do happen and cause small delays - but hopefully not this year!

Christmas Lights & Holiday Decorations

Christmas lights along Boulevard Haussmann near Au Printemps department store
Christmas lights along Boulevard Haussmann near the Printemps department store during a previous year

Christmas lights ("Illuminations") and decorations start to appear in Paris starting in early November and continue through early January (until just before the January sales begin).

By mid-to-late November (the timeline creeps forward a bit every year), you can see festive lights, decorations, and Christmas trees in all the city's key shopping districts.  Some are quite elaborate, especially those on Place Vendome on the Right Bank and surrounding streets.

One of the best ways to see the Christmas lights in Paris (and as a bonus, get a tour of top attractions and neighborhoods) is by taking one of the popular open-top bus holiday lights tours. 

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

Armistice Day Ceremony in Paris - November 11, 2025

Eternal flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris
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 (to be confirmed)

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 highly-rated small-group and private day trips take you to visit famous World War I French battle sites, museums, and memorials but each one offers a unique perspective based on the sites you'll visit:

Find out more about visiting the Arc de Triomphe

Paris Christmas Markets Opening in November 2025

Tuileries Christmas Market chalet offering hot mulled wine and hot chocolate
Tuileries Christmas Market chalet offering hot mulled wine and hot chocolate

Filled with 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 start popping up all over Paris in mid-to-late November. 

These festive holiday markets originated in Germany, but have been a popular tradition in Paris and other French cities since Medieval times.  Today, you'll find them all over the city, and they seem to grow in popularity and size each year.

Three of the biggest and best Paris Christmas Markets open in November: Tuileries Garden Christmas Market (opening this year on November 15, through January 1, La Defense Christmas Market (November 13 - December 28), and Saint Germain Christmas Market (November 25 - January 1). 

See the complete Paris Christmas Market Schedule

Things to Do in Paris in November 2025

Christmas Lights tour bus passing Printemps Haussmann
Christmas Lights Bus Tour going past Printemps Haussmann

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

  • Paris Christmas Lights Bus Tour - See all the fantastic holiday lights around the city!  Starts during the last week in November.  Book now
  • 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 Champagne - Enjoy Champagne and fantastic performance of the Féerie show at the legendary Moulin Rouge cabaret for a quintessential Paris night on the town!  Book now
Moulin Rouge
Moulin Rouge

Christmas at Disneyland Paris Begins in November 2025

Christmas at Disneyland Paris during December
Christmas at Disneyland during December - Photo credit: Kevin Gaudin

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 sparkling 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.  You can even expect snowflakes to fall a few times each day!

When: November 8 - January 6

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

Orsay Museum
Orsay Museum

November weather in Paris inevitably brings its share of chilly, wet days.  Take advantage of these opportunities to stay warm and cosy by visiting these fascinating museum exhibitions:

  • Picasso Museum: Revoir Picasso -  A look at Picasso's most emblematic works
    Dates:  through March 12, 2027
    Tickets:  Book your Picasso Museum ticket or enter free of charge with a Paris Museum Pass.  For a VIP experience, book a private small-group tour.
    Location: 5 Rue de Thorigny, Paris 3;  Metro: Saint-Paul or Filles du Calvaire
  • Musee d'Orsay: Sargent: The Paris Years - With over 90 major works, this exhibition brings together some of this famous American painter's most seminal works.
    Dates:  September 23 - January 11, 2026
    Book     a reserved access ticket for skip-the-line access, or use your Paris Museum Pass for free entry
    Location:     1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, Paris 7;  Metro: Pont de l'Alma; Invalides
  • Fondation Louis Vuitton: Gerhard Richter -  A major retrospective of about 270 works from 1962 to 2024 by this contemporary East German-born artist.
    Dates:  Now through March 2, 2026
    Tickets:  Book in advance (includes premium access through a special entrance, permanent and temporary exhibitions, a downloadable audio guide, round-trip shuttle pick up/drop off across from Arc de Triomphe, and free entrance from the Foundation to its neighbor, Jardin d'Acclimatation)
    Location: 8 Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi, Bois de Boulogne, Paris 16;  Metro: Les Sablons, plus about a 10-minute walk (or take the shuttle bus included with the ticket - More about what to see & do at FLV

Find many 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

Christmas Lights Turn On in Paris

Christmas lights along Champs Elysées
Christmas lights along Champs Elysées

Christmas lights ("Illuminations") and decorations start to appear in Paris starting in mid-November and continue through early January (usually until right before the January sales begin).

Where can you see the city's most gorgeous lights?  Head to Champs-Elysees, where thousands of strands of energy-efficient lights covering 400 trees light up the famous avenue. 

A lighting ceremony starts at 4pm on November 23 (to be confirmed), when the usually heavy traffic halts as the avenue becomes pedestrian-only for the occasion and a brass band plays.  A DJ set turns the avenue into a party from 5pm until 7pm when a French celebrity turns on the lights. Once all the trees are sparkling, a singing Santa will give a concert, followed by another DJ set.

Finally, don't miss this year's gigantic 40-foot high Christmas tree, which you'll spot near the Arc de Triomphe!

On all following nights, the lights will turn on from 5pm until midnight through January 1, 2026, except for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve when they glow all night until 6am.

Find the best places to see Christmas lights in Paris

Go on a Paris Christmas Lights Tour

Find out more about Christmas in Paris

Day Trip to Mont Saint Michel in November

Mont Saint Michel
Mont Saint Michel - Photo credit: iStock/ventdusud

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 picturesque French countryside along the way. 

Here are two of the most popular day trip choices:

Paris Hotel Map

Planning to visit Paris in November?  Use this Paris hotel map to find accommodations and make your reservation:

Booking.com

Check out the newest Paris hotels

Best Places to See Fall Colors in Paris during September

Brilliant fall foliage in Luxembourg Garden
Relaxing in Luxembourg Garden under a canopy of brilliant fall foliage

Are you planning to visit Paris in November and want to know about the best places to see fall foliage and other autumn colors? 

During November and even early December, the changing foliage hues create a gorgeous golden haze across the city - the perfect backdrop for iconic sights such as the Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur Basilica in Montmartre, and Notre Dame Cathedral. 

Sometimes fall-blooming flowers provide the most brilliant autumn colors.  One of my favorite spots to feel completely immersed in seasonal beauty is Parc Floral in Bois de Vincinnes where the dahlias always look at their most spectacular in November.

Dahlias in Parc Floral, photographed in late November
Dahlias in Parc Floral, photographed in late November

Find the best places to see fall colors near top attractions, in parks and gardens, and in leafy neighborhoods.

Festival of Lights at Paris's Jardin des Plantes - 2025

Water Lilies and Snake at Jardin des Plantes' Festival of Lights
Water Lilies and Snake at Jardin des Plantes' Festival of Lights

The annual winter Festival of Lights returns to the Jardin des Plantes (Botanical Garden) in Paris's 5th arrondissement, with giant illuminated representations of the natural world creating a magical experience during the evening. 

The topic this year is Nature's Lights.   You'll encounter light-emitting animals, plants, and minerals from land and sea as you stroll through the immersive exhibits while holiday lights sparkle around you.

Although the exhibition attracts around 400,000 visitors each year, the garden never feels crowded.  This is one of my own favorite Paris events in November, and I try to never miss it!

Late afternoon, before the Illuminations event begins
Mid-afternoon, before the Illuminations begins

You can see the creatures unilluminated during daytime hours without a ticket (in other words, for free), but the ticketed event which begins after dark is even more spectacular.

Dates:  November 12 - January 18, 2026, except for Dec. 24 & 31, 6pm - 9:30pm, with last entry at 8:30pm, and until 11pm (last entry at 10) on Friday, Saturday, & school holidays

Location:  Jardin des Plantes, entrance on Quai Saint-Bernard near the intersection with Rue Cuvier, 5th arr; Nearest Metros: Quai de la Rapée on the Right Bank or Austerlitz on the Right Bank, or get the RATP app to find closer bus stops

Tickets for evening strolls:   Must be bought online (and get yours early, as they will sell out on many nights, especially around the holidays and on weekends)

Pro Tip:  Dress very warmly (I've learned this the hard way); after walking around Jardin des Plantes in the dark for an hour or more on a chilly November night, you may get colder than you expect!

Salon du Chocolat

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, all the chocolates.

When:  Oct 29 - November 2, open 10am-7pm each day
Location:  Porte de Versailles, Pavilion 5
Getting there:   Metro station and Tramway:  Porte des Versailles, 15th arrondissement
Tickets:  16€ adults, 8€ children from 3-12, free for children under 3 (to be confirmed) - available at the door
More information:   Salon du Chocolat website

PhotoSaintGermain 

Brightly lighted dinosaurs flank the entrance to the Light Festival at Paris's Botanical Garden
Map showing locations of participating galleries, museums, bookstores, and other cultural venues on Paris's Left Bank participating in Photo Saint Germain

Almost three dozen Saint Germain galleries, specialty museums, bookstores, cultural venues, and even Hotel La Louisiane (storied haunt of jazz age and later musicians, including Jim Morrison) stage PhotoSaintGermain during late October and November to celebrate contemporary photography and emerging photographers with exhibitions, presentations, studio visits, and meet-ups. 

If you love to see what's new and trending in the art of photography, don't miss this wonderful opportunity to visit the participating galleries and other venues.  Check the event's website for addresses, event dates, and an interactive map of locations.  As you'll see, many of the galleries are clustered in Saint-Germain's "Design District," so you can easily do your own self-directed art stroll.

Dates:  November 6-30; hours and open/closed days vary based on venue and activity
Admission:  Free (although most of the art is available for purchase)

Art gallery specializing in drawings and photography on Rue de Seine in Saint-Germain
Art gallery specializing in drawings and photography on Rue de Seine in Saint-Germain

Black Friday in Paris?

Black Friday sales signs in a Paris store in Saint-Germain-des-Pres
Black Friday sales signs in a Paris store in Saint-Germain-des-Pres

Starting in early- to mid-November, you may notice "Black Friday" signs pop up in some store windows and remain through early December.

Is Black Friday really a thing in Paris? 

Yes and no.  Yes, the sales are real - but since the American holiday of Thankgiving with "Black Friday" sales on the following day to incent people to shop rather than hang out with family, visit friends, or sleep of the effects of too much turkey and pie doesn't exist in France, the signs are just a way to promote sales. 

You're most likely to see them in neighborhoods frequented by American tourists - Saint-Germain, Montmartre, the Marais, parts of the 1st and 7th arrondissements, and the Latin Quarter.

Are these Black Friday sales worth checking out?  Sure, if you happen to spot something you like - and if going into the store doesn't take away time from something else you'd rather do in Paris. 

But they're nothing like the big twice annual soldes in January and July when the whole city goes on sale.

Festival d'Automne (Autumn Festival) Paris - 2025

Visual arts and music performance from a previous show at Bourse de Commerce/Pinault Collection
Visual arts and music performance from a previous show at Bourse de Commerce/Pinault Collection

The Paris Autumn Festival (which extends until the end of January) showcases the latest creations and artists (international as well as French) in contemporary dance, theater, music, cinema, and visual arts at a variety of venues around Paris, including Galeries Lafayette in the 9th, the Grand Hall at Parc de la Villette in the 19th arrondissement, the Pinault Collection at Bourse de Commerce and the Louvre in the 1st, and Pompidou Center in the 4th, just to name a few.

This is a hugely popular festival, with over 50 events (many of which extend over several or more days) at over 70 venues in and near Paris.

Most events are ticketed, and many sell out quickly, so don't wait to book, which you can do through the event's website.  (Tip:  To see both the venues and the schedule, click the "Venues" tab on the nav bar.)

Dates:  Early September 2025 through January 2026

More Outdoor Exhibitions & Strolls during November 2025

Dragon & Lanterns Stroll at Jardin d'Acclimatation in Bois de Boulogne
Paris street art tour in the 20th arrondissement

Celebrate the last glorious autumn days and nights with these fun outdoor exhibitions and strolls through lesser-known but fascinating parts of Paris:

  • Stade de France Behind the Scenes Tour - Get an insider's view of France's biggest football stadium, home of FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro Cup games  Get your tickets
  • Montmartre Cheese, Wine, and Pastry Guided Walking Tour - Experience lesser-known areas along with some of Montmartre's best food treats.  Get your tickets
  • Jardin d'Acclimatation - Stroll along the trails in this popular children's amusement park on the edge of Bois de Boulogne in Paris's 16 arrondissement, and explore the exquisite Korean Garden, Norman "hamlet" complete with farm animals, aviary, and wooded slopes.  The garden/amusement park is 5-minute walk from Les Sablons Metro station; check out ticket options here.
    Bonus:   Entrance to the park is free when you have a ticket to Fondation Louis Vuitton, which allows you to access the park for free through the doors near FLV's restaurant. 
    Special Evening Experience: During January and through most of February, an Illuminations Festival lights up the garden for a fabulous family-friendly from 6pm-10pm from Wednesdays through Sundays, excluding holidays.  Find more information and tickets here. (Not included with regular entrance tickets.)

More about Paris in November


Le Salon d'Automne  (Fall Art Show) 2025

The prestigious Salon d'Automne art show features well-known to emerging contemporary French and International artists, and continues into November this year. 

Since its first exhibition in 1903 when artists such as Guimard, Cezanne, Bonnard, Roualt, and Matisse rebelled against the "academic" artists and decided to put on their own show, Salon d'Automne has been known as the place where new artistic trends, styles of expression, and artists who will become famous in the future can be discovered.

This year, the show presents the work of almost 1,000 artists, including a number of new participants, from 40+ countries.

When: Through November 2
Where: Champs Elysees, in temporary pavilions between the Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde - entrance at Place Georges Clemenceau by Petit Palais
Admission:  15€, with reduced and free prices for various groups such as art students

More Top Paris Things to Do & See in November


More Articles about Things to Do in Paris in November


Coming Soon: Christmas in Paris

How to celebrate Christmas in the City of Light: