Guide to Visiting Paris in November

This year, I decided to switch things up and do Thanksgiving differently by celebrating in Paris with one of my closest friends, Jessica. Jess and I went on our first European trip to explore Paris, Barcelona, and Rome five years ago. While in Barcelona, we met Vivien and have been inseparable ever since. This trip was our long-overdue reunion in Europe! By visiting Paris during the early off-peak season, we got to experience the city differently— with Parisian holiday season activities and fewer crowds. The last time we were here, it was crowded and crowded during peak season, from June to August.

Here’s how we made the most of our 5-day visit to Paris in November:

Accommodations

Vivien graciously hosted us in an apartment in the La Fourche neighborhood. I loved this neighborhood because the location was central to most of the major landmarks, it was walking distance from a metro station and a bus stop, and there were tons of cafes and shops nearby.

Weather

During our stay in late November, the temperatures averaged the high 40s/high 30s, and it rained almost every day. However, the average temperature in November is low 50s/ low 40s. One of the best parts about Fall in Paris is that the city becomes more charming with the beautiful fall leaves. We were able to marvel at what was left of the Fall foliage.

Pro-tip: When traveling in the Fall, space out your inside and outside activities to stay comfortable. We made a lot of stops at random cafes for tea to warm up.

Money

I managed to get by in Paris without withdrawing Euros. Most places accept credit cards with a minimum charge of 10 euros.

Transportation

As someone from a city with an annoyingly complex metro system (cough NYC cough), getting around Paris was a piece of cake.

Getting to and from the airport

There are two international airports in Paris, Charles de Gaulle Airport (the main one) and Orly Airport (the one I flew into and from). They are both easily accessible by public transport. From Orly airport, I got to and from the airport using the Direct Bus €12 ($13.71) and the metro €1.90 ( $2.17). At the airport, you can purchase your direct bus ticket from a kiosk at the bus stop.

Getting around Paris

Admittedly, we took way more Ubers than necessary because of the convenience and the rainy weather. Overall, Paris is a very walkable city, so when the weather was clear, we did take advantage and walked around more. We used public transportation when we weren’t in an Uber or walking. Paris has an extensive train and bus system that can take you anywhere you want to go in the city and its suburbs. This includes 16 metro lines serving 300 metro stations and 64 bus lines complementing the metro system. There are several ticketing options that you can choose based on your itinerary:

Single Journey. A single journey costs €2 ($2.27) when you purchase your ticket on the bus.

T + Tickets. T+ Tickets, also known as Métro tickets, are slightly cheaper than single-journey tickets and don’t require interacting with the driver. You must validate your ticket once you are on the bus. With a T+ ticket, you can transfer between buses and trams, but not between buses or trams and Métro or the Suburban Express Railway (RER) lines. For cost savings, you can buy “un carnet,” which includes ten tickets for € 14.50 ($16.48).

Mobilis. The Mobilis ticket offers unlimited travel for the day for € 7.50 ($8.52).

Pro-tip: Several reduced-cost passes exist for students and youth (under 26) and large families.

You can purchase tickets at automated machines or ticketing booths at any metro station. It’s important to note that the metro and bus systems do not operate 24 hours. The metro service begins at 6 am and ends at 12:45 am (Sunday -Thursday) or 1:45 am (Friday- Saturday). Buses operate from 7 am- 8:30 pm (Monday-Saturday), with some evening lines operating between 8:30 pm and 12:30 am. Only half of the buses run on Sundays and public holidays.

Seasonal Activities

Black Friday sales

 Although the French don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, they participate in Black Friday. There were sales galore! This was perfect because my jacket was stolen at Newark Airport on my way to Paris, and I needed a replacement ASAP.

Christmas Markets

 If you visit in late November, you’ll be lucky to catch a Christmas Market. There are several, but the majority are open in December. We visited the Magic of Christmas at Tuileries Gardens. Besides eating a ton of good food, I didn’t know what to expect from the Magic of Christmas. But it was essentially a fair with a Christmas theme. They had Christmas bumper cars, a zombie haunted house, and a funhouse. It got me into the holiday spirit! Unless you’re allergic to wine like me, don’t leave the fair without trying the Vin Chaud, mulled wine, and the go-to holiday drink in Paris. If you share my wine allergy struggle, the hot apple cider is a great alternative!

Check out this list of Christmas markets in Paris

Exhibits at the Louis Vuitton Foundation

The Louis Vuitton Foundation puts on temporary exhibits featuring modern and contemporary art twice a year. We were lucky to catch the Jean-Michel Basquiat exhibit showcasing several of his collections. The exhibit is running until January 14th. Purchase your ticket directly through the LV Foundation website to go through the expedited entrance line. The LV Foundation building is a masterpiece; the surrounding gardens are beautiful and worth exploring. The foundation hosts many interesting events and concerts throughout the year.

See what events are happening during your visit

Obligatory Parisian Activities

Eiffel Tower

Did you even do Paris if you didn’t visit the Eiffel Tower? We saw the Eiffel Tower at night and went up during our first visit to Paris. This time around, we went to the Eiffel Tower during the day. Many people prefer the Eiffel Tower lit up at night over it during the daytime. It’s worth visiting both day and night to truly feel its essence. I found the tower beautiful during the day when it was against the fall foliage and the fog.

Pro-tip: A common scam near the Eiffel Tower and other popular landmarks in Paris is for people to ask, “Do you speak English?” and ask you to sign a petition. Once you sign it, they demand money from you, and if you do give money, they will require even more from you. Just ignore them, and you will be fine.

Musée du Louvre (Louvre Museum)

The Louvre is a former royal palace and the world’s largest art museum. Some of its collections span thousands of years old. It’s truly an iconic place to visit in Paris. I was happy we were able to make it inside this time! We decided to purchase our ticket at the museum (€15/ $17) and were only in line for about 20 minutes. If you’re traveling during peak season or don’t like lines, purchase your ticket online (€17/ $19) for guaranteed quick entry into the museum.

It’s important to note that your ticket is only valid for your selected date and time. Once you leave the museum, you will not be able to re-enter. There are free code-secured lockers to store your belongings while you explore the museum.

There’s no way you will see the entire museum in a day. We spent about four-ish hours exploring. My favorites were Modern African, Asian, Oceania, and the Americas sculptures. The Louvre is also home to the famous Leonardo da Vinci Mona Lisa painting. Valued today at $780 million, the masterpiece is something you should see, but manage your expectations. The painting is surprisingly tiny, and you must push against a massive crowd for a peak.

Pro tip: Starting January 2019, the Louvre will offer free entry on the first Saturday of each month from 6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.

Pigalle Basketball Court

The uniquely vibrant Pigalle Basketball court is nestled between two apartment buildings on Rue Duperré Street. The brightly painted court is a collaboration between the French fashion brand Pigalle and Nike. The 90’s inspired colors represent the golden era of basketball. Go as early as possible to beat the crowds. The opening hours are Sunday (2-8 pm), Monday (closed), Tuesday- Saturday (12-8 pm).

Good Eats

Babylone Bis

We had terrific African food at Babylone Bis. The wall is lined with photos of stars like Marvin Gaye and Rihanna. Although celebrities frequently attend this restaurant, the prices aren’t Hollywood! The hours are from 8 pm to 8 am on Tuesday to Sunday, making this the best place to eat after a long, fun night.

Le Bellevilloise Café

 The Le Bellevilloise Café hosts an epic Jazz Brunch on Saturday and Sunday at 11:30 am and 2 pm. It was a very relaxing, non-touristy thing to do. For $33, you get an all-you-can-eat buffet-style brunch and drinks. The food was fresh and had a homemade taste. This is very popular among locals–make sure you RSVP to secure your spot. The cafe also puts on a lot of concerts and fun events throughout the year.

Pro tip: If you stay towards the end of the brunch, you get to pack leftovers.

Nightlife

Le Pigalle

 This time, we didn’t party as much as we did during our first European trip (no one has warned you about the recovery time difference between the early 20s and the late 20s). Our one-party night was a Saturday, and we started at Le Pigalle to pregame. The DJ was excellent, the drinks were strong, and the decor was chic.

Jāngäl

After Pigalle, we ate a bite and then danced the night away at Jāngäl. It was a lot of fun! The music was also incredible, and the crowd had the best energy!

My quick holiday getaway to Paris was such a treat. It was nice to revisit some of my favorite places in the city and explore new sites!

Liked it? Pin it!