Paris in November – what’s on as winter approaches?

Paris in November means the days are getting shorter and winter is on its way. But don’t despair! This is a wonderful time of year in Paris. So get into the Christmas spirit with these great events happening all over the city.

The festive season is fast approaching and the city of light is preparing itself. The department store windows are beginning to transform with animated displays, and there are markets, nativity scenes, and open-air ice rinks situated all over the city. There are many great activities and opportunities for you to spend time with your loved ones over this joyful season.

Here are some ideas for things to do this month in Paris.

Christmas illuminations in Paris in November

Paris in November will see the city of light shine even brighter than normal! Paris embraces the spirit of Christmas by decorating its streets and monuments with brightly coloured lights. Tourists, as well as locals, eagerly anticipate this moment each year.

Popular locations such as avenue des Champs-Elysées, avenue Montaigne, Place Vendôme, the Montmartre district, and Bercy Village are all decorated and you can even take a sightseeing coach tour at nightfall to see Paris’ best illuminated monuments. Be enchanted by the city’s decorations and get in the Christmas mood!

Say “cheese”!

Paris in November hosts Paris Photo, one of the world’s biggest and most important photography fairs. If you have an interest in photography this event is for you. Over four days the Grand Palais becomes the setting for a magnificent photo gallery. You can discover a huge variety of works, including photos by acclaimed photographers.

Since 1997, from vintage to contemporary, Paris Photo has strived to explore photography in all its forms by uniting a selection of remarkable works. But Paris Photo is not just a fair; it also includes conferences, testimonials and debates to openly discuss all aspects of photography.

Everyone is welcome; professionals, amateurs, and the general public, to admire the artworks and imagine what the future of photography has in store.

New Beaujolais Festival

Paris in November celebrates the New Beaujolais Festival. On the third Thursday of the month at 12.01am – which marks the end of the harvesting season – the young fruity, red wine is released all over France!

The wine is intended for immediate consumption, therefore this day marks the occasion for huge celebrations across Paris and the rest of France.

The festival is launched with Les Sarmentelles in Beaujeu with a procession of barrels filled with vine shoots that are set on fire. Then, at midnight, the first barrels are drilled into and producers and wine-growers open their cellar doors so the public can taste the wine.

So join the celebrations in Paris and taste this cheerful drink produced by true French artisans. You can find places in Paris to celebrate here.

Salon du Cheval de Paris

The Paris Horse Show is in Paris in November, the annual event is dedicated to all things horses and equestrian. Welcoming around 150 000 visitors each year, the show includes sports and competition, sales and breeders, equine health and artistic performances.

What else? There are also conferences, chariot-racing events requiring exceptional handling, speed and endurance, and a relay race where the goal is to create the best costume! For the kids there is a village with pony rides and introductions to vaulting.

So if you love horses, go to the Paris horse show to learn everything you need to know about horses, witness their beauty and intelligence, and have a bit of fun with the kids!

Armistice Day

The 11th of November is a Public holiday in France as the country celebrates the end of World War One. Armistice Day (though more commonly referred to as November 11), signifies the Armistice being signed between the Allies of WWI and Germany in Compiègne and ,funnily enough, it took place on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month in 1918.

The whole of France celebrates this day. In Paris, there is a military parade where the president and the mayor will show respect by laying a wreath at the Arc de Triomphe on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Flowers and wreaths are also placed at war memorials across the city and France.

This day is a solemn one in which France remembers the horrors of the war. Many people wear black or dark clothes in mourning. Many shops and businesses are closed on this day, so why not pay your respects by going to the military parade.

Discover your creative side

Do you love crafts and design? Then you’ll want to check out the Créations et Savoir-faire and Marie Claire Idées convention! This event is for knitters, scrapbookers, embroiders and people who love any other kind of crafts.

There are over 250 exhibitions showing needlework, paper and colours, decoration and lifestyle. And for those of you who love fashion, you can discover the latest trends and accessories too!

The convention also offers DIY workshops ranging from sewing to beauty and creative cooking. So if this sounds like your cup of tea, head to the convention and be creatively inspired!

What’s your favourite thing about Paris in November? Do you prefer the colder or the warmer months? Let us know in the comments box below!