Paris in October 2023 – is it worth visiting? Weather, what to wear, hotels and excursions prices, how many tourists are there? Where is it better to stay, what to see in Paris in the beginning of October and close to November, where to go in the neighborhood and further – found out good Time for Trip.
October is perhaps the best month of the year to visit major European cities. Paris is no exception!
After all, the largest and most active part of tourists at this time has already calmed down until the next season. And the smaller one is leisurely considering a trip to Paris to celebrate Christmas or New Year.
So the number of people in the middle of autumn who want to go not to the sea, following the outgoing summer, is vanishingly small. And this fact, of course, should be taken advantage of!
Moreover, in October Paris isn’t just beautiful, but without exaggeration – adorable! Painted in juicy shades of gold and purple, hurting impressionable travelers to the heart.
Along the way, allowing them to get something that is difficult to experience in the French capital at the other months of the year. Namely: appeasement and every minute pleasure from the very fact of existence, being in the midst of such beauty.
Weather in Paris in October
Exceptionally well suited for sightseeing tourism. You can visit either best Parisian museums and other interesting places, as well as long walks along the Champs Elysees and Montmartre, the Marais Quarter and the Ile de la Cité.
Popular and day trips to the suburbs. Especially since there are plenty of places where you can go from Paris even for a couple of hours!
At the same time, we must emphasize that October in this part of France isn’t too sunny period, there are enough cloudy days there! But on the other hand, the precipitation keeps itself in hand, don’t annoy the guests too much. Without frightening the already few travelers with excessive dampness and forcing them to constantly keep an umbrella or a raincoat on hand.
Statistically, Paris in the beginning of October, as well as in the epilogue of September, is considered a rather dry place. Rains are rare – the norm of precipitation for the whole month doesn’t exceed 40-50 mm. And the total number of days when the firmament decides to water the Parisian streets is 2-3 for the whole month.
Daytime air temperatures in the first half of it gravitate towards the commendable range of +18-20 °C. And in other years, thermometers can occasionally show even higher. For example, in mid-October 2022, the air in Paris warmed up to + 21-22 ° C.
Nights are colder. But not so much that you want to think about a hasty departure: up to +12-15 °C
Closer to November, however, the French capital’s thermometers panic. Even in the daytime they doesn’t show above +15 ° C!
When the sun sets off to illuminate the opposite hemisphere, they hint that winter is just around the corner. In any case, people with imagination will easily understand what’s what when they see something around + 7-8 °C.
What to Wear
As you might guess, such weather motivates, allowing you to carry out almost everything planned. And if you believe that Paris can be explored in 3-4 days, your dreams will definitely come true.
For doing so we advise to take with you not only a change of underwear and frankly summer clothes, but demi-season jacket and sweaters. As they have every chance of coming in handy – especially if you love walking near the water. Or will plan a boat cruise along Seine.
Raincoats and rubber boots are obviously superfluous accessories. But shoes more practical than sandals should obviously be put in a suitcase!
Frosts even at the end of October are an unheard of phenomenon in Paris. They are able to shock cleaner than an exhibition of cutting-edge art, – basically, of course, the townspeople themselves. As many of the American and European tourists in the middle of autumn are mentally prepared for an early snowfall.
Prices 2023
Do you feel strong enough to organize a trip to Paris on your own? Then you should prepare for the following expenses.
Hotels and transport
From 80-100 € cost a day of accommodation in good, but, alas, located far from the center apartments or guest houses. Usually without breakfast, but there are exceptions!
Like Toit pour Vous Chambre d’hôtes in the 18th arrondissement (Montmartre). Offering guests cozy rooms with windows overlooking the courtyard (but quiet) and serving breakfast. Payment after booking, however, is non-refundable.
Note that in Paris it makes sense to choose housing in certain areas. To avoid unnecessary noise and the sight of obviously suspicious personalities right at the exit from the hotel.
The cost of travel in Paris public transport can be minimized by purchasing a Navigo card. A very handy tool for those who are going to use the city metro and RER trains more than once.
Unlimited trips within 3 urban and 2 suburban areas for a week will cost 30 €. Plus, you should pay for the card itself 5 €. There are no discounts for children.
Navigo has an annoying feature as it’s used on a weekly basis: from 00:00 Monday to 23:59 Sunday and is sold through Thursday. On Friday, the card for the next week goes on sale!
Food
You have to pay sane money for nutrition only when buying French foods (cheese, fruits and vegetables, croissants, wine or cider) in supermarkets. And, accordingly, cooking on their own. If, of course, the size and equipment of your room or apartment will allow to do this.
Breakfast in a café costs minimum 10-12 € per person, a hearty lunch – 15-17 €. A quick snack in fast food – 8-10 €.
- A cup of coffee – 3 €, a bottle of water – from 1.5-2 €
Dinner for two by candlelight and ordering a bottle of good Burgundy wine will easily unload your wallet for 70 or more €.
Tours
For an hour-long water cruise on the Seine, you need to pay from 15-16 €. About 17-20 € will have to be paid for an entrance ticket to popular museums. Like the Louvre, Orsay or the Pompidou Center.
Sightseeing walks and trips around the city and beyond are more expensive. In general, a 4-5-hour tour will cost at least 60-70 €.
What to Do
The only place you definitely won’t get to in Paris in October 2023 is Notre-Dame. As you know, the famous cathedral burned down and is now being restored.
But you can see the royal Sainte-Chapelle with exquisite stained glass windows. Visit the castle-fortress of Conciergeri and a lot of exquisite metropolitan churches. Take a look at the Pantheon and Les Invalides.
And also – it’s more than logical – to cast a glance at the metropolis from the site of the Eiffel Tower. Well, or from an observation platform on the roof of the Montparnasse skyscraper.
We also recommend paying attention to the temporary exhibitions held in some of Parisian art museums. Perhaps something like this will be held in the Luxembourg Palace in the fall of 2023.
But if not, you can always wander around the Luxembourg Gardens. Especially beautiful in autumn.
We advise you to give a couple of hours of time to the private Jacquemart-André Museum, usually in the deep shadow cast by the Louvre and Orsay. Because in addition to the paintings you will see well-preserved interiors from the times of the “brilliant age”.
Where to Go
We highly recommend taking a trip out of the city. Since the parks and gardens of royal and other residences definitely evoke strong emotions at this time.
Any guidebook will call you to Versailles, Chantilly or Fontainebleau – other famous French castles. For example – to Malmaison?!
It is worth going to Rouen. Admire both the famous cathedral and the beautifully preserved half-timbered houses.
Many travelers want to go to the Normandy island of Mont Saint-Michel. Moreover, in the middle of autumn there aren’t too many people here!
An experienced traveler will design a trip and more authentic. For example, with a stop in Brittany and a visit to the interesting city of Saint-Malo.
The Loire Valley is also a very popular destination, for the local castles are rightfully among the most interesting sights of France. And they just ooze history.
You can visit famous chateaus like Chambord, Chenonceau, the royal residence in Blois. But it is better to choose one of the unknowns.
© Goodtimefortrip.com
Be the first to comment