Photo: Vicke Cunningham

Photo: Vicke Cunningham Autumn in France means is a time of joie de vivre and in Paris the weather is usually mellow, culture is on the menu, plus walks in parks where the leaves on the trees are red and gold is a memorable experience as is hot chocolate in a square and so much more. Autumn is the perfect time for a Paris getaway and here are ten reasons to prove it! Nuit Blanche Montmartre Wine Festival For one night only, each year Paris becomes an open-air museum. There is nothing quite like this truly astonishing night of art, culture and surprises. As dusk falls, the city springs to life as an extravaganza of luminous installations and sensory experiences astonish audiences. Nuit Blanche hands the city over to contemporary artists to reimagine its streets and buildings and the public are invited to join in. This is an exceptional night of art that will thrill, provoke and amaze from dusk to dawn. This one event alone is enough reason to visit Paris in the Autumn as far as I’m concerned. 7 October Did you know that Paris has a secret wine producing vineyard in the heart of the city at Montmartre?! Each October the Fête des vendanges de Montmartre celebrates the art of food and wine. It’s one of the most popular events with Parisians with free concerts, exhibitions, parades and tastings in the heart of the city. Join the locals in a celebration of the grape harvest right in the centre of Paris. 11-15 October

Museums museums museums With around 200 museums in the city to choose from, you’re truly spoiled for choice. 20 museums are free all year-round including the Petit Palais which is home to 1300 works of art. Other museums are free on the first Sunday of the month and some open late which makes for a special ambiance, such as the Palais de Tokyo which is open until midnight daily (except Tuesdays). Museums are less crowded in autumn and good for days when it’s raining or a little bit chilly out. Hot Chocolate à la terrace And, if it is a bit chilly out then what could be nicer than wrapping up warm and sipping a hot chocolate while you drink in a wonderful view. One of the most beautiful spots is by Notre Dame where you'll find plenty of cafés where you can sit outside and watch the sun set and listen to those famous bells toll – it’s priceless. Hit the book stores and chill There are loads of book stores with English language books in Paris and lots of them have cafés and even wine bars so you can sit and read in an ambient atmosphere. Two of the best are Shakespeare & Co. near Notre Dame Cathedral, it' has a lovely café alongside the book store, and WH Smith, an institution for Brits, in rue de Rivoli with its upstairs “olde English” style tea room. Exhibitions Galore Catch Hockney at the Pompidou featuring more than 160 artworks (ends 23 October); Gauguin at the Grand Palais (11 October 2017 – 22 January 2018) and see a once in a lifetime exhibition of Picasso’s “year of wonders” artworks from 1932, with more than 100 paintings and sculptures at the Musée Picasso (10 October 2017 – 11 February 2018).