Paris in early October
 

Hi - I'm thinking of visiting Paris in the first or second week of October. My uncle has told me that this is during a school break so Paris gets (frustratingly) crowded during this time. Does anyone know about this or has anyone experienced this?

Many thanks

We were there first week of October last year. It was busier than you might expect but not at all like high seasons. Weather can be cool, so bring some sweaters - I had to buy one at Monoprix on the Champs Elysees when I couldn't stand it any more!

When you say first week are you meaning the first of Oct? Does that mean the kids will be back in school within a week?

Looks like this year's fall school break is at the end of October...

http://www.education.gouv.fr/cid28961/mene0914826a.html

Well you know on October or May, there will still be lots of people on the Champs Elysees, at the Eiffel Tower and in Saint Germain des Pres. And you will probably go to these places if you visit Paris.
I would say, go to Paris whenever you have time and the fairs are fine.

We go to Paris every October and I've not ever been bothered by excessive crowds.

MaeT - If you go in the 1st week of October you will be able to experience Nuit Blanche or White Night: http://tinyurl.com/y8z6vdc -This link shows what took place in successive years. Another website lists what to expect: http://tinyurl.com/ybx9evn October is also time for the fashion shows.

Nonsense. The school holiday is at the end of October, and it wouldn't even be noticeable to any tourist.

One thing that may make it slightly busier is Fashion Week. Personally, I got a big kick out of passing by those spots and seeing women who were obviously models out shopping in the Marais. However, Paris is a city, so it's always going to be bustling.

The weather can be unpredictable at that time, in that fall way. You might get rain or cold winds, or some gloriously balmy days.

Thanks everyone! I'm reassured. My uncle goes to Paris every year, usually in November. My extended family, my boyfriend and I hope to join him this year, but we were hoping we could go a bit earlier in the fall in the hopes of catching a bit warmer weather. I've been to Paris in November and December before and it was pretty cold for walking around (I love to walk in Paris...and in cities in general as I'm a NYer but I hate the cold). Maybe we can convince him to go a bit earlier if it really won't be unusually crowded!

Early October - IMO the perfect time to visit Paris. No chance of a heat wave, and no chance of real cold weather. Absolutely perfect.

We were there in October, 6th-13th and it was not crowded at all. The weather was decent and we had a wonderful time, as always.

Hi, If you want to do something different I’ll be doing guided tours of Père Lachaise, Oct 11 and 12th. As well as covering the history of Père Lachaise, it will also cover all of the characters in my novel, Oh! Pèr...e Lachaise, including the history of Oscar Wilde’s Paris, ending with visit to the hotel in which Oscar died, L’Hotel, formerly Hotel d'Alsace
If you wish to take part please send your name and email to: [email protected]
Please share with your friend