October begins and with it the arrival of autumn, the days that are getting shorter, the forgotten sweaters that we take out of the cupboards and the cravings for hot chocolate.
As all seasons are good to enjoy the Île-de-France and it is all the more beautiful under the colors of autumn: here we go again for ideas for outings this month.
Since 2017, the former goods warehouses of Pantin, located on the banks of the Canal de l'Ourcq, have been transformed into a place of culture and creation open to all: welcome to the Magasins Généraux.
On the ground floor of the large iron and concrete building (rehabilitated by the communication agency BETC, which has set up its headquarters there), exhibitions, workshops, concerts and many other events for all ages take place!
What is the program in October at the Magasins Généraux?
From October 8 to November 8, we don't just watch: we play! The artist duo Angels Front (Flora Bouteille and Victor Villafagne) take over the entire place with "DIE & RETRY", an immersive life-size simulation. At the heart of the device is the A22 Family: six members installed in an apartment setting full of cameras and screens, who train to deal with a "cognitive war" where media, social networks, artificial intelligence and deepfakes blur the line between truth and falsehood. The public can observe the scene on site or via streaming, but also take part in it: as a player character, to interact with the family, or even take the place of one of its members, or as a non-player character, to observe freely and suggest twists and turns. As in a video game, each sequence can be replayed differently according to the choices of the participants. A fun and slightly troubling experience to learn to identify the mechanisms of influence that shape our opinions on a daily basis.
The exhibition is open Wednesday to Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and on weekends from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Simulation sessions take place on Thursdays and Fridays at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., on weekends at 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., by reservation. Want to be among the first? See you at the opening night, Wednesday, October 7 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. (free admission, registration recommended).
Good to know
The activities and exhibitions change regularly and revolve around major themes. Some events are by reservation: check before you go.
In the same building, there is a bar-restaurant with an abundant cultural program that gourmets can try to their heart's content.
The Magasins Généraux are located at: 1 rue de l'Ancien Canal, 93500, Pantin.
Montmartre? It's a must-see, but it sounds a bit "déjà vu", doesn't it?
In August, we had already found you a good address to fly over Paris and have a picnic. In October and for autumn, we would like to recommend the Terrasse du Fécheray (better known as Mont-Valérien).
This perch of greenery, nestled 162 meters above the city, sits atop the mountain that bears his name. It offers an inimitable panorama of Paris, its rooftops and its icons (La Défense, the Eiffel Tower, and the entire Seine Valley).
A coffee in your hand, a warm sweater, good company to walk in the park that culminates there and a bench to scan Paris, that's all you need to enjoy it.
The terrace of the Fécheray is located at: 16 rue du Fécheray 14, 92150 Suresnes.
Rock, pop, electro, well-known artists or emerging nuggets : in October, immerse yourself in the electric atmosphere of the 11th edition of the ARTE Concert Festival, on Thursday 29, Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October 2026, at La Gaîté Lyrique, in Paris.
Born from the collaboration between ARTE Concert, La Blogothèque and La Gaîté Lyrique, this free festival mixes established artists and emerging talents, both French-speaking and international, in concert formats designed to be experienced indoors and accessible online.
For those who have not managed to get tickets, you can attend all the concerts live on the Arte Concert website!
Head to the west of Paris for a getaway in the heart of the Saint-Germain-en-Laye National Forest, a green lung of more than 3,500 hectares.
More than 50 km of marked trails, three cycle paths, hundreds of kilometres of paths and forest paths, trails for horseback riders... In short, go for a walk this month and watch the autumn colours transform the forest.
The Internet is full of hiking trails to do in the Forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Choose the one you want the most.
National forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Happy discovering! See you next month for ideas for outings accessible by public transport, in Île-de-France.