Top Paris events in October 2024 include the annual grape harvest festival at a historic vineyard in Montmartre, a couple of big art shows, 15 days of music during Jazz sur Seine, and Toussaints commemorations.

But that's just the beginning.  Look for exciting shows at all the major Paris museums, beautiful golden foliage throughout the city, the mouth-watering Salon du Chocolat, and boutiques bursting with the fall collections.  

Love the thrill of shopping for antique and vintage treasures?  Head to Paris's (and the world's ) biggest flea market, Les Puces, where their Fall Flea Fest celebration.

In even-numbered years - so next year, not this year - the world-famous Paris Motor Show brings over a million visitors to the city to see the latest automotive innovations.

Paris weather during October continues to be mild, with balmy nights, making October a wonderful month to explore the city while enjoying fall foliage colors.

October is the perfect month to enjoy sidewalk dining outside your favorite bistro while the warm weather lingers, soak up fall colors in Parisian parks (we'll suggest the best!), and check out some of the fun Halloween events in the city and at nearby Disneyland Paris.

You'll love visiting Paris in October!

Please note:  Daylight Savings Time ends in France and many other European countries on the night of October 27 as clocks get turned back one hour. 

Paris Holidays in October

The Toussaint school holidays take place across France from October 20 through November 5 this year (and Oct 18-Nov 3 next year, in case you're planning ahead), which means you may find some attractions to be more crowded than usual.

Top photo:  Le Marché des Enfants Rouges - 400 year old market (the oldest in Paris) in the 3rd arrondissement, (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.  Learn more

October Concerts in Paris 2024

Bataclan concert hall in Paris's lively Oberkampf neighborhood
Bataclan concert hall in Paris's lively Oberkampf neighborhood

From jazz to rock, from opera to ballet, and blues to rap, you'll find your music at top concerts in Paris in October 2024.

Shorter days and crisp fall evenings make October an especially good month for classical concerts held in centuries-old churches.  Look for candlelight concerts for a special experience and don't miss the reopening of Paris's bigger venues such as AccorHotels Arena and the Olympia. 

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

Paris concerts during October 2024 include:

More Paris classical concerts in historic churches during October

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

Find Paris concerts for November & beyond


Paris Visitor's Tip:  Daylight Savings Time Ends

Just a reminder:  Paris, France, and most other European countries end Daylight Savings Time (DST) on the last Sunday of the month - October 29 this year, so at 3am, clocks move back by one hour. 

On Sunday, you'll notice sunrise and sunset happen an hour earlier than on the day before.  Maybe most important:  you get an extra hour of sleep - or an extra hour to explore Paris!


Wine Harvest Festival in Montmartre 2024

Marchers in the huge Grape Harvest Festival parade in Montmartre - Photo credit: Paul Gueu
Marchers in the huge Grape Harvest Festival parade in Montmartre - Photo credit: iStock/Paul Gueu

Montmartre's annual Grape Harvest Festival (Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre) takes place for five days through the second weekend of the month - October 9-13 this year.  Over half a million visitors attend, making this the city's biggest event after Nuit Blanche in June and Paris Plage, Paris's popup summer beaches in July and August.

The festival involves traditional wine-making activities such as stomping on the grapes, but there's a lot more to do and see:  a Grand Parade with lots of music and dancing, a night race, vineyard tours, a tasting event, numerous free concerts, and the traditional closing dance on Sunday at nearby Square Louis Michel at the foot of Sacré-Coeur (4:30-7:30pm, free admission, lots of fun!)

In addition, the festival includes appearances by many celebrities, food and wine tastings, and kids' events. 

Most events are free but some such as the vineyard tours require advance reservations.  You can find a schedule and list of events at the Festival's website, or stop by Montmartre Tourist Office (21 place du Tertre) for information from the multi-lingual staff. 

In case you're wondering, the harvest of Gamay, Pinot Noir, and 26 other types of grapes comes from a vineyard believed to date back to Roman times (although current grapevines date from 1933).  It covers the hillside behind Musée de Montmartre, where you can easily see it from the street.

Although most of the 1,500 or so bottles of "Clos Montmartre" wine produced from the vines' harvest each year are auctioned to benefit local charities, you have a few other options for tasting it:  sample it at the Wine Festival or during one of the private "VIP" Montmartre tours that include the vineyard, or buy a small souvenir bottle from the Montmartre Tourist Office for around 50+ Euros (yes, that's very pricey for, quite honestly, not great wine - but all the proceeds go to charities).

Location:  Rue des Saules, 18th arrondissement 
Nearest Metro:  Abbesses; take the funicular up the hill

Montmartre Tours

  • Montmartre 2-Hour Walking Tour  - This fascinating walking tour shows you all the top sites of the Montmartre neighborhood, including the famous Sacre Coeur, artists studios, Moulin Rouge, and even the vineyard.  More about the tour
  • Moulin Rouge Show - Experience the spectacular ambience and the "Féerie" show at the famous Moulin Rouge caberet in Montmartre as you sip Champagne.  Sells out fast - so you need to book well in advance.  More about the show
  • Montmartre Cheese, Wine, & Pastry Tour - On this small-group walking tour of Montmartre, you'll sample cheeses, charcuterie, wine, pastries, and chocolate from the neighborhood's best artisan shops while your local expert guide shows you the hidden gems, private mansions, and breathtaking views in this unique part of Paris.  More about this tour

More Ways to Tour Montmartre: 

Halloween Festival at Disneyland Paris during October 2024

Halloween at Disneyland Paris during October
Halloween at Disneyland Paris during October - Photo credit: Clem

Indulge your passion for Halloween at Disneyland Paris as the Halloween Festival takes over the Park as Disney villains, witches, and wicked stepmothers roam the streets. 

Look for "meets and greets" with your favorite Disney Villainous Masters, while Mischief Makers and Mysterious Hosts create a ghoulishly fun Halloween experience for you.

Disneyland fans consider the Halloween Fest to be one of the top things to do in Paris in October.  Look for fun adventures and hair-raising attractions plus lots of Halloween decorations everywhere.   And don't forget to explore the new Avengers Land attractions.

For the biggest thrills of the season, visit on October 31st when Disney's unforgettable Halloween Party will bewitch the park from 8 pm to 2 am.  Places are limited so you need to book early.

When:  October 1 - November 3

Disneyland Paris and Transportation

Take RER A to the Marne-la-Valee station across a small plaza from Disneyland Paris, and buy your tickets at the gate (don't forget to validate them after you go through the gate and hold on to them in case of a checkpoint - you can find more details about best ways to get to Disneyland Paris and how to avoid various RER fines here).

Check out these options to make your trip faster and easier:


Find out more about celebrating Halloween in Paris

Day Trips from Paris:  October Picks

Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument overlooking Omaha Beach, France
Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument overlooking Omaha Beach, France

October is a wonderful time to explore some of the exciting and famous attractions outside of Paris.  Here are 3 of the most popular small group day trip choices:

  • Normandy D-Day Landing Beaches - You'll visit Omaha Beach and other D-Day landing beaches in Normandy, the Operation Overlord Museum, and German bunkers, and learn about the dramatic events of June 6, 1944 from your expert guide - Book now
  • Mont Saint Michel Tour & Cider Tasting - Explore the famous abby and fortified island town mostly at your own pace, and make a special stop to enjoy some famous Normandy Cider Pommeau and Calvados - Book now
  • Versailles Palace & Gardens - During this guided skip-the-line tour of the famous chateau, you'll see the Hall of Mirrors and other famous rooms in the palace, and explore the lush gardens.  Book now
  • Monet's Giverny - Visit Claude Monet's home and the gorgeous garden and water lily pond that inspired his famous Water Lilies paintings in this half-day trip with a guide from Paris - Book now

Find out about other exciting Day Trips from Paris


Big October Paris Events in 2024 that Might Impact Your Visit

Are you planning to visit Paris in October this year? 

If so, you should be aware of three big events with the potential to impact your visit - in particular, when you get tickets for your flight or train, make hotel and dinner reservations, and book museum tickets, tours, and other activities:

  • Paris Fashion Week continues through October 3
  • As previously mentioned, the Toussaints school holidays take place across France during the last week of October, which means you may find hotels and some attractions more crowded than usual

Still need hotel reservations?  Use our Paris Hotel Guide to find options in your favorite locations.


Salon d'Automne  (Fall Art Show)

The prestigious Salon d'Automne art show features well-known to emerging contemporary French and International artists. 

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 890 artists, including 161 new participants, from 43 countries.

When: October 27-30 (to be confirmed)
Where: Champs Elysees, between the Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde - entrance at Place Georges Clemenceau by Petit Palais
Admission:  8€

Paris Exhibits - Must-See Shows for October

Fondation Louis Vuitton, where the stunning architicture is part of the art
Fondation Louis Vuitton, where the stunning architecture is part of the art

Here are just a few of the top exhibitions you can see in Paris this month:

  • Atelier des Lumieres:  Egyptian Pharaohs - Discover ancient Egypt at the time of the Pharaohs in this virtual journey along the Nile River in Upper and Lower Egypt as you see legendary rulers, great battles, famous temples and tombs, and majestic landscapes; purchase online; you can also purchase at the door for 2€ more per ticket but there's no guarantee you'll get in as timeslots are often fully booked
    Dates:  Through January 5, 2025
  • Musee de l'Orangerie:  Heinz Berggruen: A Dealer & His Collection - See works by Picasso, Klee, Matisse, Giacometti, and others.
    Dates:  October 16, 2024 to January 26, 2025
    Tickets:  12.50€.  Get your Musée de l'Orangerie at the door or online (includes permanent collections and special exhibitions), save with a combo ticket for skip-the-line museum entrance and a Seine River cruise, or use your Paris Museum Pass for free entry
    Musee de l'Orangerie Location:  Tuileries Garden (southwest corner), 75001;  Metro:  Concorde, Assemblée Nationale
  • Orsay Museum - Caillebotte: Painting People 
    Dates:  Oct 8, 2024 - January 19, 2025
    Tickets:  Book a reserved-access ticket for skip-the-line access, or use your Paris Museum Pass for free entry
  • Fondation Louis Vuitton: Pop Forever, Tom Wesselmann & ... - An exhibition on Pop Art, with a major focus on 150 works by Tom Wesselmann, plus 70 works by 35 other Pop artists spanning Dadaism to the present day - Dates:  Oct 16 - Feb 24, 2025 
    Tickets:  Book in advance
    Location: 8 Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi, Bois de Boulogne, Paris 16;  Metro: Les Sablons, plus a 10-minute walk (or take the shuttle bus included with the ticket)

Find many more Paris museum exhibitions for October & future months

More about what to see & do at Fondation Louis Vuitton

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 additional ticket.) 

More info

Fall Flea Fest at Les Puces, Paris's (& the World's) Biggest Flea Market

Antiques at Paul Bert Market at Les Puces
Antiques at Paul Bert Market at Les Puces

The Saint-Ouen ("Les Puces") Flea Festival returns this year from October 3-7, (to be confirmed) giving you the perfect excuse to stroll through this sprawling universe where over 3,000 vintage and antique dealers offer countless treasures. 

The theme this year is "Nature in the Decorative Arts,"  so expect to see many gorgeous examples on display throughout the market. 

On the opening night of the festival, the big markets within Les Puces stay open until midnight, which special events such as entertainment, food tastings, concerts, and parades. 

Although these events are free, you'll need an invitation from the host markets to get in, which is easy to get - just sign upon the Les Puces website (click "Press" or "News" on the top navigation bar, and then click "Events" to see the specific events for details).

Find out more about Les Puces at Saint Ouen


Tour Les Puces with an Expert Guide


Jazz sur Seine - 2024

Chez Papa Jazz Club and Restaurant in the Saint-Germain-des-Pres neighborhood
Chez Papa Jazz Club and Restaurant in the Saint-Germain-des-Pres neighborhood

Music - specifically, jazz - fills the air during the Paris Jazz Club Association's massive Jazz sur Seine event from October 1 - 26. 

This year, 450 artists will play more than 200 concerts at 20 different clubs. 

This festival is a wonderful opportunity to hear well-known artists as well as many new talents who may be new to you.  It's also an excellent excuse (not that you need one) to explore Paris's lively jazz club scene, considered second only to New York.  You'll hear everything from traditional jazz to electro, blues to Latinx.

Ticket prices vary according to venue and artist.  At small clubs, just the cost of a drink or a 10€ cover will get you in.  Other shows require tickets, mostly in an affordable 12€-35€ range, and you can also save with a 3-concerts pass for 40€.  The festival's "Discovery" offer lets you attend one concert for 10€ (limited to 1 per person).

More information and event schedule:  https://www.parisjazzclub.net

Soak Up Fall Foliage Colors in these Parisian Parks 

Golden fall foliage in Tuileries Garden in October- Photo credit: AdobeStock/P.E.Faivre
Golden fall foliage in Tuileries Garden - Photo credit: AdobeStock/P.E.Faivre

Where's the best place to view fall foliage in Paris?  Thanks to the city's many parks, you'll see plenty of fall colors everywhere during October, but here are four favorite locations:

Jardin des Tuileries across from the Louvre - There's nothing more beautiful than the golden foliage of the plane trees during autumn in Paris.  Stroll through the long allées, or relax by the reflecting pools.  Nearest Metro Station:  Tuileries; 1st arrondissement

  • Parc Monceau - Filled with specimen trees that turn spectacular colors in the fall, this leafy park also contains a colonnade, a miniature Egyptian pyramid, a temple, a windmill, a grotto, an Italian vineyard, and a pond.  It sounds crazy like a crazy mix but somehow feels enchanting when you walk through it, and is particularly lovely in autumn.  Nearest Metro Station:  Monceau; Blvd de Courcelles, 8th arrondissement
  • Parc des Buttes Chaumont - This park boasts dramatic cliffs, a lake, a waterfall, a grotto, and even a mountain, plus local and exotic trees imported from around the world.  It's always spectacular - but even more so during the fall with the foliage turns golden - plus you'll find some sweeping views of the whole city.   Nearest Metro Stations:  Buttes Chaumont and Botzaris; 19th arrondissement
  • Canal Saint-Martin - Golden foliage along both banks of the canal cast lovely reflections in the water.  For the best views, go to the top of one of the arched iron bridges crossing the canal at intervals.  Once you've had your fill of fall colors, stop by one of the neighborhood's acclaimed bakeries or bistros for a snack or meal - perhap an orange blossom brioche at the Du Pain & Des Idées boulangerie (34 Rue Yves Toudic; closed on weekends), brunch at Chez Prune (36 Rue Beaurepaire), or currywurst-frites at Wunderbär (16 Rue Beaurepaire).   Nearest Metro Station:  Republique; 10th arrondissement

And don't forget the city's two huge wooded parklands on the east and west sides of Paris:  Bois de Vincennes in the 12th arrondissement, and Bois de Bologne in the 16th arrondissement.

Find a Few Parisian Ghosts & Spirits in these Cemeteries

Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris - Chopin's tomb
Chopin's tomb in Père Lachaise Cemetery in northeast Paris

To get into the spirit of Halloween on October 31 and All Saint's Day on November 1, stroll through these 4 fascinating Parisian cemeteries to soak up the ambiance of departed spirits and perhaps even imagine a few ghosts:

Père Lachaise Cemetery

Parisians call Père Lachaise Cemetery in the Menilmontant neighborhood in far northeast Paris la Cite des Morts - the City of the Dead - and its rolling hills, elaborate monuments, and haunting beauty make it easy to channel the spirits of those buried here, including Molière, La Fontaine, Baron Haussmann, Isadora Duncan, Yves Montand, Simone Signoret, Frédéric Chopin, Oscar Wilde, Delacroix, Victor Hugo, and Jim Morrison of The Doors.  

Getting there:  Metro station:  Père Lachaise (Lines 2, 3), Blvd de Menilmontant and Avenue Gambetta, 20th arrondissement

Père Lachaise Cemetery Walking Tour:  This 2-hour walking tour leads you through the maze of haunting and romantic tombs, and shows you the graves of famous and infamous occupants such as Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and Chopin.  You'll learn about the interesting and tragic histories of many of those buried there.  More

Where to find the most famous 101 graves at Père-Lachaise on a Self-Guided Tour

Montparnasse Cemetery

Montparnasse Cemetery, a tranquil expanse in a part of the 14th arrondissement once popular with early 20th century artists, intellectuals, and writers is where you'll find the graves of Simone de Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Sartre, Charles Baudelaire, Serge Gainsbourg, Susan Sontag, and Eugène Ionesco.  

Filled with dappled light on sunny days but never really gloomy, even in the rain, it's where you'll often see neighborhood residents out for an evening walk.

Getting there: Avenue Rachel, 18th arr; Metro station:  Blanche (Line 2)

Montmartre Cemetery

Montmartre Cemetery, smaller and with quirkier monuments than the other two cemeteries, stretches across small hills and shadowy hollows in the southeast corner of the arty Abbesses Butte Montmartre quarter. 

Reputedly home to a band of feral cats, Cimetière Montmartre usually attracts only a trickle of visitors compared with other major cemeteries. 

However, this is where you can visit the final resting place for a number of creative elite including François Truffaut, Gustave Moreau, Heinrich Heine, Stendhal, Alexandre Dumas, Dalida, and Edgar Degas. 

Getting there:  3 Blvd Edgar Quinet, 14th arr; Metro station:  Edgar Quinet (Line 6)

Passy Cemetery

Passy Cemetery, another small cemetery with a fascinating assortment of elaborate tombs (such as the re-creation of an artist's studio) that reflect the wealth of its permanent residents, such as Guerlain (of perfume fame) family member and Bao Dai, the last Emperor of Vietnam. 

You'll also find a few artists such as Berthe Morisot and Edouard Manet, as well as composer Claude Debussy. 

Wonderful views of the Eiffel Tower across the Seine add to the charming ambiance.

Getting there:  2 Rue du Commandant Schloesing, 16th arr; Metro station:  Trocadero

More ways to experience Halloween in Paris

PhotoSaintGermain 2024

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:  October 30 - November 23; hours and open/closed days vary based on venue and activity
Admission:  Free (although most of the art is available for purchase)

Jazz à la Villette 2024

Paris Jazz Festival at Parc Floral - photo credit Sébastien Bertrand
GoGo Penguin playing at Jazz à la Villette - photo credit Gael Varoquaux

The Jazz à la Villette Festival stages two weekends of superb musical events in Parc de la Villette's major venues:  Philharmonie de Paris, Grande Halle de La Villette, and Cité de la Musique.  

Don't miss this unforgettable experience of hearing some of the best French and international musicians at one of the world's leading jazz fests,  

There's also a special kids' program. 

The festival runs from August 29 - September 8. 

Lineup and more information:  Jazz à la Villette website

Halloween Evening at Le Grand Rex in Paris

Halloween at Disneyland Paris during October
Le Grand Rex's Art Deco tower - Photo courtesy of Couscouschocolat

Celebrate Halloween in Paris at the Grand Rex movie theatre movie theatre when they host their annual Halloween Movies Night programming on October 31. 

Get your fill of Halloween horror cult classics plus a few newer shows such as The Thing, Five Nights at Freddy's, Christine, Psychosis, and The Exorcist.

The Rex website posts the schedule details about 1 week before the big event.

Find out more about celebrating Halloween in Paris

More to Do & See at the Grand Rex in Paris

Dance all Night at the Rex Club 

If you're an electro music fan, an evening (or more) at this top EDM club is a must as resident and guest artists and DJs serve up the best of techno, New Wave, dance, house, and everything in between.  Check the Rex Club website for the schedule.

Look Behind the Scenes at the Grand Rex

Experience the world of cinema during this interactive "behind the scenes" tour of Rex Studios as you see the backstage area, archived images, film sets, special effects, and the building's original 1932 Art Deco decor. Includes headphones with audio guide in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, and Russian. 

Book Now

Location:  1 Boulevard Poissonnière, 2nd arrondissement
Nearest Metro: Bonne Nouvelle

Paris Insider's Tip: How to Find Movies in English in Paris

Want to see your favorite American movie in Paris theaters but wonder if it will be shown in English? 

Look for movie listings that include VostFr - that means the movie will be screened in its original language with French subtitles.


Foire de Chatou (Antiques & Collectibles Fair at Chatou) - 2024

If you love searching for treasures at flea markets and antique shops, you won't want to miss France's biggest and oldest antiques fair held this month (and in March) a few miles outside of Paris (but easy to get to on the RER). 

What will you find?  Basically, everything that might fall under the label of "antiques," "vintage," and "collectibles" - fine art, furniture, decor, fashion accessories, jewelry, tableware, chandeliers and other light fixtures, toys, mirrors, books and maps, and so much more, from the 17th century through the 20th.

All of the 300 dealers at the fair are vetted professionals, and experts are on hand to certify authenticity, if needed.  Shippers are also available, in case you can't resist, for example, an 18th century marble fireplace mantle for your living room back home.

Dates:  September 27 - October 6
Admission:  10€
Location:  Ile des Impressionnistes (Isle of the Impressionists), Chatou, France

Directions:  Take the RER A toward Saint-Germain-en-Laye from Paris. Get off at the Rueil-Malmaison station and take the free shuttle to the fair (you can also walk - it's about half a mile), or go one stop farther and get off at the Chatou Croissy station (try to exit at the end of the train) and walk across the footbridge over the Seine River to the fair.  

Find out more about Foire de Chatou and other Paris flea markets, antiques auctions, and "brocantes"

Maison Gainsbourg:  A Quirky House Museum to Explore in October

Graffiti across the front of Serge Gainsbourg's home in the 6th arrondissement
Graffiti across the front of Serge Gainsbourg's home in the 6th arrondissement

The home of French music icon Serge Gainsbourg, located at 5 bis Rue de Verneuil in the 6th arrondissement, has now opened as a museum with permanent and temporary exhibitions celebrating the singer-songwriter's life, thanks to years of effort by his daughter, Charlotte Gainsbourg. 

Although the interior of the singer-songwriter's house is said to have remained untouched for most of the period since his death 30 years ago, the black-painted exterior wall has long been used by fans as a place to express their devotion in urban-art style with messages and drawings.

Two ways to explore are on offer:  1) a stroll through the house, accompanied by an original sound track featuring never-before-published recordings from Gainsbourg's archives and his daughter's voice as she recalls memories of her dad, and 2) a visit to the museum exhibition space.

Maison Gainsbourg is open from 10am - 5pm, Monday through Friday.

Tickets to the combined house and museum tour are currently sold out (due to space limitations, only a few visitors can move through the house at one time), but you can still reserve museum-only tickets.  See the Maison Gainsbourg website for more info. 

For more ideas, see our complete guide to Paris museums & monuments

Salon du Chocolat 2024

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 30 - November 3, 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 - available at the door
Ticketmaster, and also at the door
More information:   Salon du Chocolat website

Festival d'Automne (Autumn Festival) Paris

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 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:  September 8, 2024 - January 26, 2025

Paris Motor Show - Returns in 2024

Paris Motor Show - top Paris October event
Car on display at Paris Motor Show - Photo credit: cmonville

The huge Paris Motor Show, held every other year in even-numbered years, normally attracts well over 1 million visitors from 100+ countries around the world who come to see the latest automotive innovations and the cars of the future.  This is an ON year.

The show will take place from October 17 - 23, 2024.

What can you expect to see and do?  Almost 250 car brands will be showing their glitziest models and technologies, including autonomous vehicles.  Check out (and even sit in) your favorites, attend presentations, watch videos, and revel in the latest and greatest cars of your dreams.

If you're visiting Paris while this show is underway, be aware that the city's hotels will be filling to capacity as over half the Paris Motor Show visitors coming from outside of the city - so make your own hotel reservations early!

When:  October 17-23, 2024, 10am-8pm; open until 10pm on weekends Where:   Porte de Versailles Convention Center, 15th arrondissement
Tickets:  Coming soon
Getting there:  Porte de Versailles Metro station; Tramway Porte de Versailles Parc des Expositions station

Planning to come to this show?  Check out best nearby hotels in Paris 15

ParisArtistes - 2025

ParisArtistes takes place every other year, and is scheduled to return in 2025.

Paris turns into a city-wide art show when ParisArtistes features the work of top painters, photographers, sculptors, and other artists displayed in public spaces across the city.

With free admission to all venues, it's your chance to see the best of contemporary art being created right now in Paris. 

If you're visiting Paris, these shows let you see lots of exciting art while giving you a great excuse to explore the surrounding neighborhoods at the same time.

You can find details on the ParisArtistes website or the ParisArtistes Facebook page.


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