Embrace Autumn in Paris: The Best Places for Seasonal Treats and Leaf Gazing in the City

Embracing Autumn in Paris! It’s hard to argue with autumn. Scenes of golden leaves against a bright blue sky along with the oranges and reds of squash that hit the markets make this a particularly colorful and delightful time in Paris. As many mourn the passing of their summer vacations and avoid thinking about the winter to come, early autumn is a great time to take a break and appreciate this fleeting moment when we soak up the last rays of Sun and are excited at the reappearance of root vegetables on our plates. Here are a few ideas for how to live it up during autumn in Paris:

Have a Leaf Gazing Goûter at Luxembourg Gardens

I can think of no place more fabulous for crunching crisp leaves underfoot and general fall fun than the Luxembourg gardens. The aisles of tree-lined alleyways that make up the maze of this wooded oasis of Paris are a delight for all ages. Stroll aimlessly and admire the browns, oranges, and reds of autumn or grab a seat in a calm corner of the gardens and enjoy that special October in Paris light. After your walk, warm up with a warm drink and carrot cake at nearby Treize Bakery, where the coffee and tea list are extensive and the baked goods are outstanding. If your more in the mood for an apéro, head to Café de la Nouvelle Mairie. This typical Parisian bistro, just steps away from the gardens and has food and drink service all day. In November, crowds convene on this spot to celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau, but on a calm day, it’s the perfect spot to sit on the terrace and enjoy the bucolic atmosphere of the intimate place that faces the restaurant.

Eat Your Way Through Apple Season

It’s easy to eat seasonally in autumn when you consider that French bakers have a way of turning the abundance of apples that arrive this time of year into a variety of tasty treats. Second only to Normandy and Brittany- where apples seem to make their way into every course of your meal- Paris is a great place to enjoy seasonal baked goods at almost every corner bakery. For a truly unforgettable Chausson aux Pommes go to the Terroirs d’Avenir Boulangerie where they have perfected the formula of flaky crust, generous compote, and a crunchy touch of sugar. Blé Sucré may be better known for the Madeleine, but their gorgeous and very instagrammable Tarte Tatin deserves just as much applause and you can’t go wrong with a Tarte aux Pommes from the Left Bank’s Le Boulanger de la Tour.

Trick-or-Treat à Paris

If you’re loving Paris but longing for a classic Halloween experience, head to Boneshaker Doughnuts, where the Irish-American owners embrace their motherlands’ love of this scary and sweet holiday. Every year the shop invites people to come wearing their Halloween costumes and enjoy festive flavors such as Pumpkin Pie and Apple Cider as well as classics such as Cinnamon Sugar. This year Boneshaker’s Halloween event will take place on October 27th you can follow them on Instagram for updates and more information.

For other great Fall activities in Paris join a delicious French Market Class with Cook’n With Class Paris and discover the season’s best & get a better understanding of the French food market! Whether for a morning or evening class with market tour, you will pick out the freshest of the season’s vegetables with your Chef and create a seasonal meal together back at the school!

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