Paris Tourism Faces Slower Momentum In Early Autumn 2025 As Visitor Numbers Dip Amid All Saints’ Day Break, Yet The City Gears Up For A Thriving Holiday Season

Published on December 1, 2025

Tourist numbers in Paris experienced a dip during the early autumn months of 2025, with declines in both domestic and international visitors. This slowdown was largely influenced by factors like the All Saints’ Day holiday and a shift in the typical travel calendar. However, the outlook for the remainder of the year is optimistic, with hotel bookings for late November and December picking up, fueled by upcoming events and the festive season, ensuring a strong end to the year.

The latest figures from the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau reveal a slight dip in tourism during the early autumn months of 2025. The All Saints’ Day break saw a notable slowdown, but the outlook for the remainder of the year remains strong, with hotel bookings for late November and early December already gaining momentum ahead of the festive season.

October: A Slight Dip in Visitor Numbers

In the first half of October 2025, tourism figures softened compared to the record-breaking highs of the previous year. Domestic tourism saw a modest decrease of 3.3% compared to 2024, though it still remained 2.9% higher than in 2023. International visits dropped by 4.6% compared to the same month in 2024, and were also down 1.1% from 2023. The drop in air traffic was more pronounced, with flights into Paris declining by approximately 10.9%. Fewer travelers arrived from major European neighbors such as the UK, Italy, and Germany, along with the US. On the positive side, long-haul travel showed a solid recovery, with significant increases in visitors from China, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia.

The Impact of the All Saints’ Day Holidays

The Toussaint school holidays, which typically draw a strong number of visitors, experienced a significant downturn in 2025. Overall attendance dropped by 8.4% compared to the previous year, with international tourist numbers particularly low during this period. The main reason for this drop was that November 1st, the key holiday date, fell on a Saturday, eliminating the usual “bridge” weekend where many people take extra time off. Even with this decline, however, the overall tourist numbers for this period were still 5.9% higher than in 2023, reflecting a resilient tourism market.

Strong Outlook for the End of 2025

Despite the quieter autumn months, the outlook for the final quarter of 2025 remains solid. Air arrivals forecasted for December 2025 through February 2026 indicate a slight overall increase of 0.2%. However, there are some declines in bookings from specific regions. Visitors from South Korea, Portugal, and the US are down by 16.6%, 21.1%, and 1.9%, respectively. Conversely, significant growth is expected from China (up 27%), along with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Japan, which are seeing increases of between 13% and 25%. This positive trend underscores Paris’ ongoing appeal as a global destination for tourists from both Europe and beyond.

Hotel Occupancy Trends

Late November and early December are already showing a 6.2% increase in hotel occupancy compared to 2024, with the first few days of December experiencing a particularly strong surge, up by 13.7%, due to several major trade shows and conferences taking place. However, Christmas week bookings are currently lagging by approximately 4.6%, possibly due to the earlier holiday slowdown and some shifting travel patterns. On the other hand, New Year’s Eve is shaping up to be a standout period, with hotel occupancy already at 64.6%, which is 5.2% higher than last year.

An interesting trend is emerging outside of central Paris. Areas like Seine Saint Denis and Val de Marne are seeing notable increases in occupancy, with rates up by 5.1% and 4%, respectively. Meanwhile, central Paris hotels are experiencing a slight decline of 2.6% for the same period. This could reflect a growing interest in accommodations in the surrounding districts, offering tourists a quieter or more affordable alternative to staying in the heart of the city.

A Transition to Stability

This autumn slowdown appears to be part of a natural recalibration following two incredibly busy post-pandemic years, alongside the unfortunate timing of the holidays in 2025. However, the positive rebound in bookings, particularly around work events and the upcoming New Year’s Eve celebrations, highlights that Paris remains an attractive destination.

One tourism official noted that 2024 was an exceptional year, largely due to the Olympics, and that 2025 is more about returning to a “new normal.” This “new normal” is still significantly better than pre-pandemic levels, with ample opportunities for growth on the horizon, especially as Paris looks ahead to 2026.

For now, the City of Light is preparing for a busy holiday season, with a strong run-up to Christmas and a glittering New Year’s Eve celebration, reaffirming its place as one of the most beloved destinations to ring in the year.