Must-Do Things in Paris this Fall

With its colorful fall foliage, abundance of art exhibitions and events, and a multitude of year-round destinations welcoming travelers, visiting Paris is a no-brainer in the fall. With a croissant and coffee in hand, travelers find the crisp, cool sunny days inviting after the city wakes up from its summer slumber (August is a quiet month for locals and businesses). So, if you find yourself visiting the City of Light this fall, here are some of the best things to do in the city.

First some of the sites:

Eiffel Tower

What would a visit to Paris be without seeing the marvel that is the Eiffel Tower? After taking pictures along the Champ de Mars, climb up the 300 steps to the first level or another 300 steps to the second level, before taking the short elevator ride to the top platform. At 906 feet above ground, peek into the private apartment built for Gustave Eiffel’s use and see the full 360-degree view of Paris. To celebrate the upcoming festive season, the terrace transforms for the holidays, inviting travelers to savor the end-of-year spirit with a coffee or hot chocolate in hand while enjoying the views.

Arc de Triomphe

At the center of Place Charles de Gaulle, Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous monuments in Paris, honoring those who died in the French Revolution  and Napoleonic Wars. Located at the west end of the Champs-Élysées, rediscover the beautiful view of Paris from the terrace of the Arc de Triomphe. Up the 284 spiral steps, there aren’t many better views in Paris than this one overlooking the gray tiles of Parisian roofs and he Eiffel Tower, along with Sacré-Cœur and the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral in the distance. After taking in the views from above, head back to street level to marvel at the four sculpted groups adorning the pedestals of the monument and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Sainte-Chapelle

Created in the Gothic style, this royal chapel is most famous for its 1,113 stained glass windows. A personal commission of King Louis IX, Sainte-Chapelle was part of the Capetian royal palace on the Île de la Cité. The 13th-century, stained-glass collection is one of the most extensive in the world and depicts scenes from the Old and New testaments.

Hôtel de la Marine

Located on Place de la Concorde in Paris, Hôtel de la Marine is a historic building originally home to the royal Garde-Meuble de la Couronne to store royal furniture, before becoming the Ministry of the French Navy for 200 years until 2015. After six years of extensive renovation, this exceptional residence showcases the splendors of the 18^th century with opulent staterooms featuring gold trimmed-ceilings and walls and stunning chandeliers, while the refined bedrooms feature exceptional pieces of furniture centered around oversized bed frames designed to represent the age of enlightenment. The hotel also houses the Al Thani Collection, one of the most prestigious private collections in the world.

Now to the shows, exhibits and events:

• Rugby World Cup 2023: Sept. 8–Oct. 28, come see the world’s 20 best teams compete to lift up the famous Webb Ellis trophy.
• Maison Gainsbourg: The house of Serge Gainsbourg recently opened to the public. Discover a singular aesthetic space and delightful surprises: the bookshop-boutique and “Le Gainsbarre,” a tearoom in the daytime and a cocktail bar and restaurant at night.
• Paris+ par Art Basel: Oct. 19–22, the fair welcomes a selection of leading and emerging art galleries and artists from around the world.
• Spot 24: Starting in October and going to December 2024, the new exhibition showcases six new Olympic disciplines: skateboarding, sport climbing, BMX freestyle, surfing, 3X3 basketball and breaking, under the artistic direction of François Gautret, RStyle
• The Treasures of Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral at The Louvre: Oct. 19 through Feb. 19, 2024, marvel at relics, pieces of gold and silverware and illuminated manuscripts from its origins to Viollet-Le-Duc, which are among the works that survived the fire in the cathedral.
• ParisLocal: Nov. 17–19, celebrate the excellence and knowhow of Paris and its region by opening the doors of the workshops and shops of local traders, producers and artisans. For a third consecutive year, meet designers, chefs, restaurateurs and artists boasting Parisian style.

Other exhibits to look for include Bourse de Commerce, Foundation Cartier and Foundation Louis Vuitton.