There’s plenty to do in Paris in October. Here are some ideas for interesting outings. As well as trade fairs, concerts and sporting events, Paris throws the spotlight on art with numerous events… Art lovers will be spoilt for choice!
© Thinkstock
Every year, the art world meets in Paris during the fourth week of October for 'Contemporary Art Week'.
Paris+ par Art Basel, the Parisian world art fair that brings together the cream of the creative world, takes place from 19 to 22 October 2023 at the Grand Palais Ephémère. A free programme open to all will also be on show in the Tuileries Gardens, the Palais d'Iéna, the forecourt of the Institut de France, the Chapelle des Petits-Augustins at the Beaux-Arts de Paris and Place Vendôme.
Those interested in Asian art will be pleased to see Asia Now, Paris Asian Art Fair returning to Paris in October 2023. It will be held right in the middle of Paris. There is something for everyone!
© Kidexpo
Back in October 2023: the Salon du Chocolat (from 28 October to 1 November 2023) at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles and the Salon de la photo which returns to the Grande Halle de la Villette from 5 to 8 October 2023.
Animal lovers are expected at the Parc Floral de Paris for Animal Expo, the pet show.
Kidexpo is another not-to-be-missed event for children and families, returning this year to the Parc des expositions at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles (26 to 29 October 2023). The dates fall during the half-term (Toussaint) holidays (from 22 October to 7 November 2023 for zone C, which includes Paris).
NB:The next edition of the ‘Mondial de l’Automobile’ (‘Paris Motor Show’) will be held in October 2024.
© Paris je t'aime - Marc Bertrand
This October, the major exhibitions of the autumn are on the agenda!
We begin with the blockbuster exhibition The Treasure of Notre-Dame. From its origins to Viollet-le-Duc at the Louvre (à partir du 19 octobre 2023) which celebrates the end of the restoration work on the cathedral.
The exhibitions Beyond Rembrandt (from 14 October 2023 to 6 January 2024) and The Manuscripts of the Dukes of Bourbon (14th-16th century) at the Château de Chantilly, Sophie Calle. ‘À toi de faire ma Mignonne’ at the Musée Picasso (from 3 October 2023 to 28 January 2024), Van Gogh at Auvers-sur-Oise. The last months, at the Musée d’Orsay (from 3 October 2023 to 28 January 2024), Picasso. 2023 drawings, at the Centre Pompidou (from 18 October 2023) are also programmed this autumn.
In mid-October 2023, the Musée national de la Marine is due to reopen after 7 years of renovation work. Housed within the Palais de Chaillot, in Place du Trocadéro, this ‘new’ museum aims to plunge visitors into the world of the sea, offer an insight into its history and heritage, and address contemporary issues. More than 900 restored items (scientific and technical objects, decorative and domestic objects, models, photographs, sculptures, paintings, furniture) will be on display for the occasion.
© Nicolas Sich
In October, the traditional Montmartre Grape Harvest Festival (Fête des Vendanges) brings the most famous district of Paris to life. On the programme: parades, concerts, exhibitions and wine tasting.... Then, the autumnal event, Taste Week, which has been delighting the taste buds of young and old alike for almost 30 years, will be held in numerous Parisian venues with tastings, gastronomic workshops and much more.
The ‘Villes des Musiques du Monde’ music festival shines a spotlight on traditional music and dance from around the world at various venues in Paris and Greater Paris. Mon premier festival, the favourite cultural event for children, returns in October with numerous film-concerts, workshops and film-tastings to discover!
Finally, on 31 October 2023, it's Halloween! To celebrate the event, many places in Paris and the Ile-de-France region have put together a 100% spooky evening, such as Disneyland® Paris, the Parc Astérix or the Musée Grévin Paris.
NB: from 2023, the Nuit Blanche event will take place at the beginning of June. Next edition: June 2024.
© Adolfo Félix via Unsplash
As for concerts, Parisian venues offer a highly eclectic programme, for all ages and all tastes! From 20 October to 5 November 2023, the famous family musical Le soldat Rose celebrates its 15th anniversary at the Grand Rex, and cult group Pink Martini will also be appearing at this legendary venue for its comeback (12 October 2023).
Also worth seeing in these early days of autumn: Blink-182 at the Accor Arena (9 October 2023), Michael Flatley's Lord Of The Dance (7 October 2023) and Isabelle Boulay chante Piaf symphonique (17 October 2023) at the Seine Musicale, Shaka Ponk (18 October 2023) and Ofenbach (28 October 2023) at the Zénith Paris - La Villette.
© Scoopdyga
On the sport front,numerous international events take place in Paris in the autumn. There are several international events on the Paris autumn calendar. The Battle Pro international breakdance final at the Théâtre du Châtelet on 1 October 2023. The Rolex Paris Masters, one of the leading tennis events, is to be held at the Accor Arena** (from 28 October to 5 November 2023).
Badminton is another racket sport featured in October 2023. The international Yonex French Open badminton tournament takes place over one week at the end of the month.
In parallel with the Rugby World Cup organised in Paris and France, the public is invited to attend the spectacular International Armchair Rugby Cup at the Halle Carpentier from 18 to 21 October and on 22 October 2023 at the Accor Arena for the final.
If you’re a fan of equestrian sport, the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe invites you to Paris Longchamp racecourse to experience one of the world's greatest sporting events live.
© Studio TTG
The 20 km de Paris brings together more than 25,000 professional and amateur runners every year. Participants can run or walk the 20k metres on October 8th, 2023 either physically, in Paris, or remotely. Take part wherever you are!
