I would love to visit Paris and one of the wine regions in October for a special birthday in mid-October. What can I expect as far as weather and crowds. Is this a good time for this itinerary? Thank you!
Posted by
66 posts
There is a website called timeanddate.com
https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/france/paris/historic
You can search any location, worldwide and actually find historic weather data going back 10 years plus. Quite helpful.
For instance, Paris last, early October, had highs upwards of 25Celsius.
As for crowds, I'm not certain.
Hope this helps
Posted by
13 posts
I love France in October! My favorite time of the year. Crowds are down, the weather tends to be great and the colors are golden. I haven’t visited vineyards in October, but I think the color changes would be beautiful. Happy Birthday and bon voyage!
Posted by
Paris
7300 posts
October is a good time to visit Paris. Weather can be variable but is usually still pleasant with the odd rainy spell; not too hot, not too cold. October 2023 was especially glorious (unusually so). Fall colors in the wine regions are spectacular; they can be hard to predict but in general, mid-October should have good fall colors in northern Burgundy, Champagne and the Loire. Probably too early for Bordeaux, definitely too early for the Rhône valley.
Posted by
Ohio
2161 posts
We did a RS tour in France (Paris-Normandy) the last two weeks of October 2023. It was cold and rained nearly every day… Just a heads up that you need to be prepared for any type of weather. You might get beautiful, sunny autumn days, or you might not. Can you move your trip to the beginning of October?
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10621 posts
Crowds are unpredictable. Last October it was packed. I had never seen such lines of visitors in my 50 years living in and visiting the city. No predictions or promises.
Posted by
Chicago
1138 posts
I was in Paris last October and can verify what Betts experienced! Luckily it was far from a first visit and I avoided crowds by avoiding the "obvious" sites. I also had several rainy days during my 6 or so day stay.
Posted by
Ohio
2161 posts
Paris hosted the World Rugby Cup last October which was part of the reason for the crowds. There’s always something going on in Paris (my favorite city) ❤️
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14723 posts
I'll just add that I love to visit in October as well!
I do recommend a waterproof rain jacket with hood - which I recommend for any European trip. If you are going to be there at the end of the month, I'd also bring some lightweight glove liners and a puffy vest. If you are interested in a packing list, here is a link to my TR from an October 2021 trip to Paris and Bordeaux/SW France.
Enjoy your birthday! And honestly, I can't think of a bad time to go to France...well except during the Olympics. Or July. Or August (too hot for me!!).
Posted by
Chicago
8550 posts
We have spent October in Paris the last few years and normally it is a gorgeous month compared to November which is not. Usually lots of cool but sunny days -- perfect travel weather. Last year it rained nearly every day often pouring all day; it was dank and cold and kind of awful. Still Paris but very disappointing. It was the rainiest October in Paris history.
Climate is changing and so it is very hard to predict -- we will be there next October but fingers crossed it isn't like last October.