Paris in October - a few questions

I have been in Paris the second week of October in two different years, 2011 & 2014. Generally speaking the weather was very pleasant. I think there was one day with some rain in 2011 and I don't recall any rain in 2014. It can be a little cool, but not cold. I live in a hot climate and get cold easily. Your experience can be different. I wouldn't hesitate to be there during that time period.

KER, go to weather.com, type in Paris, click 'monthly', and then look for the weather last October to get an idea of what to expect this October.

You can also do this with accuweather.com. Type Paris, click "month" and then look up last October.

Hope this helps!

We have traveled to Europe in September, October and November. We prefer the cooler weather.
I bring layers. We always have a lightweight rain jacket and didn't have to wear it in Paris in Oct 2016.
It can get chilly at night so my Scottevest lightweight jacket has zip off sleeves and I like wearing a vest in the daytime and not carrying a purse. (Scottevest is having a sale this weekend)

I don't know where you live so can't tell what kind of weather you are used to. That might make a difference.

Have a Great Trip!
Mimi

We've been there in early October a couple of times. The weather was lovely. Warm enough most days to get by with a long sleeved t shirt. Cool enough in the evenings to need a light jacket or sweater. Last year we had one day of light, intermittent showers.

As for the ET: we found early Oct to still have a lot of tourist crowds in the main tourist sites. Especially tour groups. I wouldn't count on a short standby line any time of the day. Maybe if you showed up well before opening time??

Thanks everyone,

I live in New England - which has really varied weather - I prefer cool to hot - so October seems ideal. I'll go ahead and get ET tickets ( well my travel agent will ).

Thanks agin for taking the time to answer

I've been there the first week the last two Octobers. I haven't checked the schedule but they have a huge outdoor art fest that goes all night. White Night. I believe it's normally on the first weekend in October. It's neat but some of the exhibitions get big crowds and have lots of security, read lines, while smaller venues have small crowds and no active security check to hold you up.

The weather is fine. A sweater or jacket at night and generally comfortable during the day. I think I wore my unlined rain shell a lot because there was often some rain in the forecast. Mostly it was comfortable and dry.

I have visited at that time of year a few times and it so variable. Some years cool and some rain, another year near shirt sleeves weather during the day. For this reason I use layers; always have a raincoat and take a heavy fleece and a lighter layer for under the raincoat. I do use scarves too, one thicker one and several thin for warmth and fashion. Men wear scarves all the time in France.

I don´t make weather predictions. In your circumstances, I would simply show up at the Eiffel Tower on a relatively clear morning. In the Fall, the ET opens at 09h30. Arriving before then will keep your waiting time at a minimum.

Nothing worse than having purchased ET tickets in advance for what turns out to be a rainy day in Paris.

For me, the reason to visit the Eiffel Tower is to be there. If your luck is bad and there's limited visibility, there are other places where you can look down on the city. While the Arc de Triomphe isn't as high, it's still a good view, especially at sunset. For one of the best views, go to the top of Tour Montparnasse. There's also a very nice view from the dome of the Pantheon, if there are still tours that take you up there.

You can do some historical questions, but it won't do you too much good.
Outfit yourselves with a rainproof parka with a hood - umbrellas are useless.
Otherwise, it will probably be nice weather.

If you're asking about the lines for the Eiffel Tower - I doubt you'll be there on the hour.

We've been in Paris twice at the end of September/beginning of October. Both times we enjoyed the weather. It was quite warm, but still comfortable in the Loire and Alsace. You could still want A/C at that time of year. I wore dresses/skirts and sandals most of the time. We did end up with a day of rain in Paris which I guess is common. I have not done the Eiffel tower and have been to Paris 3 times. I definitely go and look at it on the Champs du Mars during the day and at night. I have heard that a good strategy besides getting there before opening is to buy the ticket that allows you to walk up the stairs. You can't go to the top, but people say you get to the "optimal" level for good views. You can take the elevator down. That ticket is cheaper and the line shorter for walk ups.