Paris in November: tips and recommendations to make your trip unforgettable

It is difficult to visit Paris and expect to see the city and its monuments without crowds or too many tourists. But if there is one month when the queues are shorter and you will have no trouble booking a room or getting a table at a restaurant, that month is November.

October marks the end of the high season and the onset of colder weather, giving the city a breather before the arrival of Christmas. What's more, the penultimate month of the year has two public holidays that give us the opportunity to do and see different things. Here are my 10 recommendations for enjoying one of the quietest months of the year in the French capital.

In addition to All Saints' Day, there is another holiday marked on the calendar throughout the country in November. 11 November commemorates the armistice that ended the First World War and profoundly marked the history of France and its inhabitants. In relation to this event, it is a good time to learn about and experience history at the War Museum at Les Invalides.

Inside this spectacular architectural complex, which was once the residence of disabled war veterans, you can learn about the First World War and other conflicts. The museum has original weapons, equipment and exhibitions about the Great War.

You can and should also take advantage of your visit to see Napoleon's tomb in the Dome Church. For more information, see our post on How to visit the Les Invalides museum and Napoleon's tomb in Paris.

In the 19th century, alongside the construction of the Eiffel Tower and the Moulin Rouge, department stores and galleries also flourished. Considered temples of luxury and shopping in Paris, there are several that we can visit to do our pre-Christmas shopping.

The Galerie Lafayette, on Boulevard Haussmann next to the Opéra Garnier, is the most famous of all. In November, these department stores begin to decorate for Christmas and take advantage of the season to attract customers with attractive sales, making it a good time to visit these galleries.

On the same boulevard are the Printemps department stores, dedicated to luxury shopping, and near the Luxembourg Gardens we have another option in the Le Bon Marché department stores.

Also on the occasion of Armistice Day on 11 November, you can visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. On 11 November 1920, the remains of an unidentified soldier who died in the Battle of Verdun were transferred to a tomb in the Arc de Triomphe as a tribute and representation of all those who fell during the First World War. In 1923, an eternal flame was installed, which has since been rekindled in a small ceremony every day at 6:30 p.m.

On this day, a special ceremony is held and a giant French flag is hung between the pillars of the Arc de Triomphe. Many Parisians lay flowers in honour of this soldier and this holiday, and tourists have the opportunity to see the Arc de Triomphe in all its splendour as a French national symbol.

Every year on the third Thursday of November, the Beaujolais Nouveau festival is celebrated. This is a young French wine that is harvested in November in the Burgundy region of the French Alps and can be tasted in all the restaurants in Paris during this festival.

The city's wine cellars and bistros hold special tastings, providing the perfect excuse to enjoy a good time with your loved ones over a glass of fine French wine. Interestingly, this day is considered the world's biggest wine festival, and sellers are not allowed to sell this famous wine until this date. In Paris, the best place to enjoy this festival is the Montmartre neighbourhood.

The Eiffel Tower is the undisputed symbol of Paris, as evidenced by the thousands of tourists who visit it every day. That's why long queues are common. If you want to avoid them, although it's a difficult task, the best thing you can do is travel to Paris in the low season. November is a very good month for this, with fewer tourists than usual. There are still clear days to enjoy the views from the top of the Eiffel Tower, and you won't have to queue as much to do so. It's a winning combination whichever way you look at it. Just remember to wrap up warm.

Paris is also a city of museums, home to some of the most important in the world. On cold November days, it's always a good idea to visit them and escape the weather by viewing works of art. The usual recommendation is to go to the Louvre, which is of course always a good choice, but today my advice is to visit the Musée d'Orsay.

It may not be as popular as its sister museum, the Louvre, but some of the works it houses are known throughout the world. Manet's Luncheon on the Grass, Van Gogh's Starry Night and his self-portrait are some of the works that can be seen in this old railway station, now converted into a museum.

In addition to its beauty, the Champs-Élysées is known for its shops. From luxury boutiques to the most famous franchises, shopping on the Champs-Élysées has something special. And the best time to treat yourself is during the week of 29th November with Black Friday discounts.

This avenue is home to some of the world's most prestigious and well-known brands in stores that will surprise you with their spectacular displays. As an added bonus, around this time of year, the Champs-Élysées begins to show off Paris' Christmas lights and the first Christmas markets appear.

At the end of November, the streets of Paris begin to display their first Christmas decorations. Although Christmas is still a long way off, it is a good time to stroll through the decorated streets and enjoy the city and the Christmas atmosphere without the usual crowds that arrive as the December festivities approach.

The first lights are put up on the Champs-Élysées and the first Christmas markets appear in Paris. It is the most popular place in Paris to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere. As an alternative, I recommend taking a stroll through the Montmartre neighbourhood. It is quieter and the decorations are more discreet but equally beautiful and enjoyable.

Although it sounds strange, it's true. The French capital and New York City have more in common than you might think. So much so that the famous statue in New York was made in France and sent to America in 1886 as a gift for the anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence.

As a result of the good relations between the two countries, the United States later gave a replica of the Statue of Liberty to the city of Paris on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution in 1889. Today, the French version of the Statue of Liberty can be seen on Swan Island near the Eiffel Tower. You can take the opportunity to see it by booking a cruise on the Seine next to the entrance to the Eiffel Tower.

Taking advantage of the fact that 24 November is Thanksgiving Day in the United States, you can take the opportunity to visit this small Statue of Liberty. In addition, there is a large American community in Paris, and Thanksgiving is becoming increasingly popular. It is not uncommon to see some restaurants serving traditional turkey on that day.

On 1 November, many countries celebrate All Saints' Day, a date dedicated to honouring the deceased. In France, the tradition goes beyond religion, and it is common for the famous cemeteries in cities to be filled with curious visitors. This is especially true in Paris, which has some of the most famous and beautiful cemeteries in the world. However, the 1st is not the best time to visit them, as many Parisians go to honour their relatives.

• Père-Lachaise Cemetery is the most visited cemetery in the world and is home to the graves of such notable figures as Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison.
• Passy Cemetery
• Montparnasse Cemetery
• Montmartre Cemetery
• Panthéon: located in the Latin Quarter, one of the best neighbourhoods in Paris, very close to the Luxembourg Gardens, this imposing building houses the graves of some of the most important figures in French and world history, such as Voltaire, Rousseau and Victor Hugo, among others.

As you can imagine, temperatures in Paris begin to drop in November. However, it is not until the end of the month that the cold really sets in. The rest of the month, temperatures are pleasant, with highs around 11 degrees and lows around 6 degrees. It is a relatively rainy month, with rainfall occurring on average between 8 and 14 days, but it does not usually rain very heavily. So, it is best not to forget your umbrella. In short, temperatures are quite pleasant until the end of the month, but the cold and rain will certainly not spoil your visit to such a beautiful city.

As I mentioned earlier, the main advantage of travelling to Paris in November is the reduced number of tourists. November marks the start of the low season for tourism in the French capital, which generally lasts until May. Although there will always be tourists in Paris, the truth is that the main tourist attractions see fewer visitors. There are fewer queues and fewer crowds.

It is also worth noting that 1 and 11 November are public holidays in France, and although most monuments remain open, many Parisians take the opportunity to visit them. The start of the low season also has an impact on hotel prices, which are lower than usual. If you are looking for a quiet month, November is one of the best times to visit Paris.

Be prepared to combat the cold and rain if you decide to travel to Paris in November. And if you plan to take advantage of Black Friday, it wouldn't hurt to bring an extra suitcase. So, what should you definitely pack in your luggage? Here's a summary:

• Cotton clothing.
• Jackets and waterproof clothing.
• Umbrella and waterproof boots.
• Warm and, above all, comfortable footwear.
• An extra suitcase for your Black Friday purchases.