Taking a T̶a̶x̶i̶ ̶ Train to Paris – Ideas for a Sustainable City Trip in Fall

Experience the Paris of the Parisians. Or not?

In the summer, many parts of Paris are overrun with tourists. Many Parisians escape this by spending the summer in the country and returning after the summer holidays. „If you want to experience the Paris of the Parisians, you have to go in the fall,” many insiders claim. Fact is: Paris has a very special atmosphere in the fall and lives up to its nickname „City of Light”. Be it in the morning, when the sun breaks through the fog, or in the evening, when the early darkness reveals the magic of the city.

However, you will not really find the city without tourists. At most, you might be lucky in November and experience a quieter time before the Christmas season arrives. Fall is also popular, especially with gourmet travelers who look forward to wine festivals and food markets.

Culinary Season in Full Swing

Many typically French products find their way to the capital in the fall. Numerous wine festivals, such as the one in Montmartre, attract visitors from all over the world. The Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre features French food, music, and, of course, wine around the oldest of Paris’ ten vineyards.

In addition, the cooler temperatures invite visitors to feast. Many restaurants and cafes change their menus from summer salads to hearty French classics. A stroll through the many patisseries is also worthwhile in the fall.

Another event highlight from September to December is the Festival d’Automne à Paris, the Paris Autumn Festival, which hosts contemporary international artists in music, film, theater, and dance: The festival is not held in one location but in nearly 40 different venues.

Paris without a Guilty Conscience

The French capital has set itself the goal of becoming significantly greener and more sustainable. We have already reported on this in this newsletter about sustainable urban development. Among other things, the city plans to turn the Seine into a swimmable body of water by next year’s Olympic Games. A measure, from which the Parisians, the tourists, and nature benefit.

Once on site, walking is the most environmentally friendly way to get around. This works particularly well if the accommodation is located in the city center so that distances are short. For example, the three Green Pearls® hotels, Le Pavillon, Malar, and Amélie, are all within walking distance of Paris’ main attractions, while also offering guests a quiet retreat. They are all part of the Green Spirit Hotels, which are designed to be eco-friendly and affordable, with an artistic flair.

More distant destinations, such as the various chateaux, the Eco Quartier Clichy Batignolle or the Coulée Verte, a disused and now greened railroad line, are easily reached by metro. It also takes you to the famous Père Lachaise cemetery in the east of the city. A visit is especially recommended in fall: the colorful foliage, the stillness of autumn, and the occasional mist give the place a mystical touch. The same goes for the many parks in the French capital.

Another recommendation for the fall, and specifically for rainy days, is a visit to the Parisian arcades. These are covered arcades with numerous galleries. 20 of them date back to the beginning of the 19th century.

Travel green, stay green

Paris is one of those cities that can be easily reached by train from almost anywhere. There are numerous train and long-distance bus connections, especially from the neighboring countries. Starting in December, there will also be a night train from the German capital Berlin via Strasbourg to Paris.

Traveling by train (or long-distance bus) is not only more environmentally friendly than driving; it also saves you the hassle of finding a parking space and the sometimes astronomical parking fees in Paris. In addition, local mobility is more than provided by the metro network and walking distance to most sights. Especially if the chosen sustainable accommodation is located in the city center.

Sustainable hotels in Paris do not have to be expensive

That’s what the three Green Spirit Hotels prove. Le Pavillon, Amélie, and Malar offer creative, eco-friendly, and budget-friendly accommodations in the heart of Paris. Free spirits and the artistically inclined will feel right at home in the individually designed rooms. Comfortable beds, a rich breakfast with local organic products, and (partial) shielding from electrosmog allow guests to start the day rested and full of energy.

In addition, the owners focus on keeping their environmental footprint as small as possible. This includes water and energy conservation measures, fair wages for employees, most of whom come from Paris, no disposable plastic products, and other sustainability measures that can be read about on the hotels’ Green Pearls® pages.