Walking in Tuileries Garden

Gilmore Girls is the ultimate cozy, feel-good, fall comfort show. When the Paris air starts to turn crisp and the city becomes littered with orange leaves, it is the perfect place to submerse you into that cozy autumn feel. Here are a few specific fall activities that will give you all the warm and fuzzy vibes, and make you feel like you’re living in a Stars Hollow fall.

Tuileries Garden 

1. A walk through the Tuileries garden
October is the best time for this when the leaves are turning yellow and orange and starting to fall, but the trees aren’t left barren yet. Put on your Parisian coat and a cozy scarf and head to the Tuileries. There are cafes inside the garden, or a great coffee shop across the street called Cafe Kitsune. Grab a coffee and their yummy cinnamon bread, and head over into the gardens. Stroll through the rows of vibrant trees, and stop to sit on a bench with a book or to people watch. This is the perfect scenery to give all the fall vibes. After relaxing in the gardens, nearby are the Museum of D’orsay, and the Orangerie Museum, both popular and beautiful must-see museums.

Cafe in Montmartre

3. Library Study Sesh
What makes you feel more like Rory Gilmore than having your nose in the books? Paris has some beautiful libraries, and in the fall when the weather starts to get chilly, a warmly lit library and a cozy sweater combo could be just what you need. Bibliotheque Sainte-Genevieve and Bibliotheque Mazarine are two of the oldest libraries with gorgeous, unique architecture. Whether you want to go to get some studying done, have a cozy space to read a book, or just to tour its beauty, these libraries on a chilly fall day give you a cozy and warm space to hang out.

Brunch at Lady Marmelade

2. Brunch in Montmartre
A rainy day in Montmartre is guaranteed cozy vibes. Montmartre is also obviously beautiful on a nice, sunny day, but I think there is something special about it when it’s rainy. An amazing brunch spot is Lady Marmelade. Be ready to eat like Lorelai and Rory, because their menu is irresistible. The combination of their caramel french toast with a creamy cappuccino is to die for and makes for the best autumn breakfast. I also recommend wandering around into any of the cafes, to sit for a coffee and read or write while the rain hits the windows. Explore the neighborhood in a warm jacket and your umbrella up. Stop by one of the many little shops for a Montmartre souvenir, or the popular black and white photobooth FotoAutoMat. Don’t leave your Montmartre trip without seeing the beautiful Sacre-Cour and the view of the city from its steps.

Doing homework in a coffee shop

4. Find your Lukes!
It’s no secret that Paris is filled with cafes and bakeries. Some cozy autumn recommendations are the Roll-in for the most delectable assortment of cinnamon rolls, or the Aurava for over-the-top fall decorations, but the best ones are usually the ones you stumble upon accidentally. If you are here for study abroad, I recommend finding a nearby neighborhood favorite. Having somewhere you can go for your regular coffee or a place away from your room to study can help create an environment you feel comfortable in. If there is a local coffee shop or boulangerie you find yourself visiting often, don’t be afraid to conversate with the employees, french people are not as scary as they’re made out to be! I have found most to be quite welcoming if you are trying to connect with them as well. Being a regular and making friends with your local coffee shop employees makes Paris feel a little more like home.

Written by: Aley, Fall 2024 Paris student from Washington State University