Paris in October: what’s on this autumn?
Paris in October can be slightly chilly and a little wet. That being said, it’s the perfect time for a brisk stroll through the park to admire the vibrant colours of the autumn leaves.
The city is quieter in October, so you’ll have more time and space to wander through museums and truly enjoy what Paris has to offer – minus the crowds. Things have settled down after la rentrée so why not take the time to catch up with a friend for a coffee by the river Seine, or go to that restaurant you’ve been meaning to go to for a while? The possibilities are endless in Paris in October.
Here’s our list of great things to do this month.
Vendanges de Montmartre
What could be better than drinking wine in Paris in October? Reminiscing on a time when the Paris region produced a good amount of wine, the Montmartre Harvest is today a mostly symbolic event.
Held annually since 1934, the event is held in the hilly Montmartre area. There is still one small vineyard to be seen which produces around 1500 bottles of Pinot Noir and Gamay. This is a reminder that the neighbourhood was once covered in vineyards.
The Montmartre Harvest is a great excuse for locals and visitors to taste wines, sample local foods, and enjoy street music, performances and dancing. So head up the hill to Montmartre and take part in this historic event.
When: 5 – 9 October 2016Where: Montmartre, 75018 Paris. For information on access to the event see here.
Did someone say ‘Chocolate’?
Do you know what goes really well with red wine? Chocolate! The Salon du Chocolat is on again this year in Paris in October. This trade fair for the international chocolate industry is a must for chocolate lovers!
This event is everything you could image and more: chocolate statues, free tastings, chocolate fountains and even a chocolate fashion show, that’s right, clothes made out of chocolate!
So all of you with a sweet tooth come and enjoy the Paris Chocolate Show!
When: 28 October – 1 November 2016Where: Porte de Versailles, 75015 Paris
Métro: Porte de Versailles
Paris in October presents: Nuit Blanche
Since 2002, Paris in October has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors with its annual celebration of all things art and culture. Galleries, museums, city halls and even swimming pools open their doors to visitors for the night for Paris’s Nuit Blanche (White Night).
There are concerts, street performances and amazing light installations to be seen. Public transport runs all night and what’s more, it’s free! So if you love art and are a bit of a night-owl, this fabulous event is perfect for you.
When: 1 October 2016Where: all of Paris. See here for more information.
Foire Internationale d’Art Contemporain
In Paris in October the city becomes a world stage for contemporary art thanks to the International Contemporary Art Fair (FIAC). This well-known and respected event is a great opportunity for the public to find out what’s new in the world of contemporary art.
With works by famous artists from around the globe, nearly 1500 artists will display their art for 70 000 viewers.
This fair is also an important occasion as the prestigious ‘Marcel Duchamp Prize’ will be awarded to an artist living in France or of French origin.
So if you’re a fan of contemporary art of just art in general, check out this great event.
When: 20 – 23 October 2016Where: for locations and transport information see here.
MaMA Festival
120 concerts and 12 locations in just three days, the MaMA festival is too good to be missed! All the locations are close to one another making it easy to walk from one music concert to another.
With a mixture of French and international artists, known and unknown, showcasing all genres of music, there is something that everyone will enjoy. Not only is it a festival, but it’s also a convention for music professionals.
So prepare yourselves for some awesome concerts in Paris in October.
When: 12 – 14 OctoberWhere: for all locations see the festival website.
Mindfulness Paris
Are you feeling a bit stressed after la rentrée? Paris in October offers you a three day group meditation course to help you learn to be mindful, deal with your emotions, and to better understand yourself.
Classes run every morning for a week for three hours, you can choose to attend every day or only some. It is suitable for beginners as you will be taught the basics of ‘Méditation Pleine Conscience’, or if you’re already familiar with meditation you can deepen your knowledge in a group environment.
So take a moment to relax your body and mind with this great course.
When: 17 – 21 October 2016Where: for information on locations and enrolment see here.
What events will you be attending this October in Paris? Share your plans with us in the comments box below.
Image credits:
1. Feature image, via wikimedia commons.
2. Vendages, via wikimedia commons.
3. Chocolate Fashion Show, via the Salon du Chocolat official website.
4. Nuit Blanche, via flickr.
5. Ixelles Musée des Beaux Arts by Anne Bonnet, via flickr.
6. Mama, via wikimedia commons.
7. Meditation, via flickr.
About the Contributor
Judy MacMahon
