Updated on July 21st, 2025
The sweltering heat of summer is finally giving way to cool, crisp air and a change in the leaves. There’s a sweet melancholy to fall in Paris, something that can only be rendered in person as the city enraptures you by its fiery orange and maroon hues. If you find yourself overwhelmed by the wonder of it all—the distinct smell of the Paris metro, the winding streets decorated with local bakeries, and the guttural cadence of French natives—New York Habitat has the perfect tour guide to accommodate your stay in the City of Lights. Our vacation rentals in Paris are conveniently located near the city’s most coveted gastronomy, fashion, and art attractions for a classic immersion in French culture.
Enjoy a cultural mainstay: The French Café
During your stay in Paris, do as the Parisians do and enjoy the refined artform of people watching on the last few warm days of summer. Café de la Paix (between the Boulevard des Capucines and the Place de l’Opéra, 9th Arr.), declared a historic site by the French government in 1975, is a tourist landmark heralded for its architectural grandeur. Known as a former writing hub for novelists like Émile Zola, this cafe is the perfect spot to indulge your inner philosopher over an espresso.
The recently restored Notre-Dame cathedral, which tragically made the news after the unprecedented 2019 fires, is now open for visitors to enjoy and rediscover in person. After taking in its grandeur, enjoy a coffee at Aux Tours de Notre-Dame (Île de la Cité, 4th Arr.), where you can take in a lovely view of the iconic monument.
Revel in the remnants of the Roaring Twenties and enjoy a fresh pastry and café crème at Café de Flore (on the corner of Boulevard Saint-Germain and Rue Saint-Benoît, 6th Arr.) or Les Deux Magots (Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 6th Arr.), two iconic cafes across from one another known for hosting some of the most influential writers, artists, and musicians of the 1920s: Albert Camus, Ernest Hemingway, Simone de Beauvoir, and Jean-Paul Sartre. Other popular cafés include The Hemingway Bar and Fouquet’s, a cafe that doubles as a restaurant and hotel overlooking the Champs-Élysées.
Have a sweet tooth? Complement your coffee pilgrimage by visiting the Salon du Chocolat, a yearly trade fair hosted in Paris-Porte de Versailles (usually held between the end of October and the beginning of November). Celebrating its 30th birthday in 2025, the festival is a chocolate lover’s paradise on earth and one of the largest gatherings featuring chocolatiers from across the globe. Treat your eyes and palate to a variety of chocolate expressions. Fear not calorie counters; you’ll have plenty of time to walk off your chocolate excursion!
A leisurely stroll through the world’s most famous parks and cemeteries
After you’re sufficiently caffeinated, take a stroll through Paris’s biggest park, Jardin des Tuileries, located within the Place de la Concorde on the banks of the River Seine. The iconic park is positioned between the Louvre and Champs-Elyèes Avenue, making this an ideal photo op. A marvel of French-style landscaping, the gardens were formerly royal property to the Tuileries Palace, and the park is home to two museums: Musée d’Orsay and the Jeu de Paume museum.
Speaking of the Louvre, no Paris trip is complete without exploring the renowned district. New York Habitat has several furnished apartment listings available within minutes from the iconic museum.
If you’re planning to stay in the area, we have a place that captures the atmosphere of the neighborhood beautifully. This two-bedroom furnished apartment in the Louvre district is set within a stately 19th-century building on Rue de l’Oratoire, nestled between Rue de Rivoli and Rue Saint-Honoré. This apartment features antique décor, tall French windows, and a balcony offering a direct view of the Louvre and classic Parisian architecture. It combines refined elegance with authentic Parisian character. Inside, you’ll find spacious, light-filled rooms, two full bathrooms, and thoughtful touches like a decorative fireplace and in-unit laundry. Whether you’re starting your morning with a stroll through the Palais Royal or ending your day watching the city glow from the balcony, this apartment offers a front-row seat to everyday life in central Paris.
For a change of pace and a touch of nature nearby, let yourself be swept up in the wonder of color as you wander through Parc Monceau, created by Philippe d’Orléans, Duke of Chartres (better known as the cousin of King Louis XVI). This park is a celebration of English and German opulence, dotted with whimsical details and historical curiosities. Among them is the Egyptian pyramid, one of the last surviving follies commissioned by the Duke to enchant and impress his guests.
The 14th Arrondissement of Paris is home to the Montparnasse Cemetery, known for its impressive 35,000 graves. A guided tour through the cemetery honors the legacy of famous literary tycoons and artists while providing a quiet, secluded respite from the bustling city streets. The Montmartre Cemetery is home to the grave of the late French singer and actress Dalida, the cemetery’s most visited site. For those backpacking and traveling light through Europe, our vacation rentals in Montparnasse, Paris are in walking distance from beloved local crêperies and the famous Musée du Général Leclerc, known for its splendid collection of sculptures.
This 1-bedroom vacation rental in Montparnasse is just a short walk from the Montparnasse Tower. Located on the first floor of a postwar building with an elevator and concierge, it feels like a cozy little hideaway. Inside, you’ll find vintage touches like a wall-to-wall bookshelf and a chess set that give the living room some character, while the bedroom looks out onto a peaceful garden full of trees. With a fully equipped kitchen and easy access to buses and the metro nearby, it’s a great spot to relax and explore a more local side of Paris. Studio rentals in the 14th district are a great option for those interested in a quaint, affordable neighborhood known for its residential charm, bordering the outskirts of the city’s more prominent tourist attractions.
The music and rhythm of fall festivals
Every fall, Montmartre comes alive with the Fête des Vendanges, a joyful celebration of the neighborhood’s winemaking roots and artistic spirit. The festival bursts with music, color, and rhythm – from lively parades featuring traditional wine brotherhoods and folk groups to free concerts that fill the streets and squares around the iconic Sacré-Cœur. Visitors can stroll through the “Taste Trail” to sample local and international flavors, while families enjoy special activities like dance parties and children’s choirs. More than just a harvest festival, it’s a vibrant expression of Montmartre’s creative energy, welcoming locals and visitors alike to celebrate the season with wine, music, and community.
Music aficionados will find great pleasure in the Jazz Sur Seine Festival during their stay in the city. With over 450 artists, the festival is a musical voyage through the history of jazz and its sonic diaspora. If you’re a cinephile, consider attending the Paris Autumn Festival (Festival d’Automne à Paris), a multidisciplinary arts event held between September and December, featuring film screenings, projections, live dance performances, concerts, and visual art exhibitions. Over fifty events are scheduled in the city. To help you navigate this beautiful city and make the most of your autumn itinerary, New York Habitat offers a detailed tourist map that shows the best ways to get around in Paris by metro, bus, and more – making it easy to check off every item on your Paris bucket list.
There are plenty of wonderful options for those planning to attend the festival in the fall and get a glimpse of everyday life inside a French-style apartment. This charming 2-bedroom furnished apartment in Grenelle offers a quiet and stylish retreat in the 15th arrondissement. With its elegant moldings, parquet floors, and spacious layout, it blends Parisian charm with modern comfort. You’ll be close to metro lines, local markets, and within easy reach of the city’s fall festivals – a perfect spot to experience Paris like a local.
Honor your inner whimsical Parisian
End your fall vacation on a nostalgic note with a family trip to Disneyland to celebrate Halloween in Paris. With an all-day entry pass, you’ll have access to both the Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. Our furnished apartments in central Paris, near RER A stations like Châtelet Les Halles or Nation, provide easy and fast access to the amusement park.
So settle into your French fantasy and reclaim your inner “Je ne sais quoi.” As the French do, let bygones be bygones. Let the spark of the evening, the energy of the natives, the last drop of wine, and the last bite of dark chocolate take you further into the heart of France. After all, when you room with New York Habitat, you have the luxury of reveling in the small intricacies that often go unnoticed.
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