Autumn is one of the best times to leave Paris for the day: the summer crowds have thinned, the temperatures suit long walks, and gardens and forests turn gold. But the season is short, and a few of the best trips close or get busier in the next few weeks. Here is what to know and which trips fit autumn best.
Dates to Know for Autumn 2026
- French school holidays (Toussaint): Saturday October 17 to Monday November 2, 2026. Roads and sites are busier.
- Monet's House and Gardens in Giverny: open until November 1, 2026, the last day of the season.
- Clocks go back on Sunday October 25, 2026. Evenings get darker an hour earlier, which matters for return times.
- Disney Halloween Festival at Disneyland Paris: September 26 to November 1, 2026.
1. Giverny — Before the Season Ends
This is the last chance of the year to visit Monet's house and gardens. Late-season flowers and turning leaves make the gardens look very different from the summer postcards. Our 8-hour day starts from €500 for the whole vehicle. See our Giverny day trip guide for the details.
2. Fontainebleau or Chantilly — Forests and Châteaux in Half a Day
Fontainebleau sits at the edge of a large forest, and Chantilly has its own château, stables and park. Both work well as half-day trips (6 hours, from €420), which is useful when daylight is getting shorter.
3. Versailles — Quieter Gardens, Same Palace
The palace is the same, but the gardens turn gold and, outside the holiday weeks, queues are usually shorter than in summer. Book your tickets ahead. Our Versailles day starts from €500 — read our Versailles day trip guide.
4. Champagne — Cellars at Any Time of Year
The harvest is over, the vines are changing color, and the cellars in Reims and Épernay are cool and constant all year, which makes this a good option even on a grey day. The 8-hour day starts from €500. See our Champagne day trip guide.
5. The Loire Valley — A Long Day, Worth Planning Well
Chambord and Chenonceau are about two hours from Paris, so this is our longest classic day trip in France's interior (10 hours, from €650). With shorter days, leave early or consider the two-day option. Our Loire Valley guide explains how to choose between the castles.
6. Normandy — The D-Day Beaches
The landing beaches are a year-round excursion, but remember the shorter daylight. Read our D-Day beaches day trip guide to plan the day.
Plan Around the Daylight
In Paris the sun sets just before 6 pm at the end of October and before 5:30 pm by mid-November. For outdoor visits such as gardens and forests, prefer a half-day trip or an early departure, and tell your driver if you want to be back before dark.
Book Early for Holiday Weeks
Between October 17 and November 2, weekends and Giverny's final days fill quickly. Our Mercedes vans carry 7 to 9 passengers, and the Sprinter takes up to 12 — see our fleet. For more ideas, read the 6 best Paris day trips and what to know before booking a private van tour.
Planning an autumn day trip?
Book a private van with driver from Paris: hotel pickup, drop-off close to the entrance, the whole day at your disposal.
See Our ExcursionsIn Short
For autumn 2026, Giverny is the one to do before November 1; Fontainebleau, Chantilly and Versailles are easy half-day or full-day options; Champagne works whatever the weather; and the Loire and Normandy deserve an early start. Check the dates above and book early for the holiday weeks.