A Season of Inspiring Culture and Famous Events

15 September 2014

Our Pick of the Best Events between September and December

We may be clinging on to the summer weather, but autumn has arrived as inevitably as ever. While the end of summer can seem to mark the end of the year's major cultural events, this certainly isn't the case in Paris. From art exhibitions to live music, the French capital is not short on culture. We've compiled our picks of the very best events to be found in the city this autumn:

September - Festival d'Ile de France (7th September - 13th October)

A veteran festival of over thirty years, Festival d'Ile de France still draws over 25,000 people to the capital annually. With a programme of enthralling live music, including folk and classical music, the festival is a favourite of both tourists and locals alike. The festival takes place in all manner of venues across the capital, from the traditional and elegant theatre venues, to some more unusual spaces, such as charming parks hosting outdoor concerts. Visit the festival's website for a full list of concerts taking place.

October - The White Night (4th October)

By the time October rolls around, autumn will have Paris well and truly in its grips, and the trees that line the Champs-Élysées will have turned shades of red, orange and brown. October is also the month when the now famous La Nuit Blanche (White Night) takes place. The White Night involves dozens of the city's most popular galleries, museums and tourist attractions being transformed into all-night exhibitions, featuring innovative and unusual light installations. The whole thing is free, and even the city centre is transformed into an illuminated piece of art.

November - Tango in the Suburbs (13th October - 30th November)

Dropping temperatures and shorter days will mark the start of November, but that doesn't mean there's any slowdown in the array of events taking place across the city. One event in particular is excellent for keeping the grey at bay: Tango in the Suburbs. This colourful festival celebrates the vibrant Latino dance scene, and many of the most famous names in tango descend upon the French capital. The action starts in October, but we'd recommend visiting in its latter stages, when the action ends in a flurry of noise and colour.

December - Paris Christmas Markets (Throughout December)

As winter descends, thoughts will inevitably turn to Christmas. If you're looking for a unique gift for a loved one, or simply want to soak up the genuine festive atmosphere, there are numerous excellent Christmas markets to be found all over the city. Our pick of the bunch is the Champs-Élysées Christmas Market, which is one of the most popular in the city. It includes hundreds of stalls, selling festive artisan gifts, delicious street food and much more. It's also ideally located if you're staying with us at the Hotel Balzac.

These are just a tiny portion of the countless events to be found in Paris during the autumn months. Your adventures could lead you all across the 20 arondissements of the city. To make getting across the city as easy and simple as possible, a central location to rest your head is vital. The Hotel Balzac offers exactly that, as it's found just a few minutes' walk from the Arc de Triomphe. If you're thinking about sampling the autumnal events that Paris has to offer, be sure to look at our Offers page to find the right package for your holiday.