Autumn is a wonderful time to visit France for a million reasons. The mornings are pleasantly crisp and there are scattered golden leaves in parks and on pavements. In the wine-growing areas of France, it is time for the annual grape harvest and wineries are prime destinations in the fall.
The month of September marks the start of autumn in France, when the French return to work after their August vacation and all the summer tourist crowds have gone home.
The days are still pleasantly warm and sunny, rather than hot, making them perfect for exploring this beautiful country.
So let’s discover together five fantastic places to enjoy in France during the fall season, and a few more bonus destinations worth your time.
1. The Loire Valley
The Loire Valley is a fairytale destination in the autumn when the region’s beautiful châteaux have a magnificent backdrop of autumnal hues. This region is just one hour by train from Paris and has the nickname ‘the Garden of France’. The Valley is particularly beautiful when its vineyards, forests and gardens are all ablaze with the rich colors of autumn.
But the crown jewels of the region are its majestic castles, including Château de Chambord and Château de Chenonceau. This year is the 10th anniversary event of ‘The Splendours of Autumn’ held at Château of Chaumont-sur-Loire in the heart of the Loire. To be honest, there are simply too many castles worth seeing to name here, so why not enjoy the most visited castles in the Loire Valley in one grand tour?
At this time of year, local markets – including Les Halles in Tours – have stalls piled high with local seasonal produce. The region has a rich agricultural heritage and this is celebrated with numerous harvest festivals that offer visitors the taste of traditional French rural life.
It is the perfect time to rent a bicycle and head for the leafy shade of the Chambord Forest, relax on a leisurely cruise on the River Cher or join a hike to learn about wine and wild mushrooms.
It is a busy time of year for the winemakers as it is harvest time – and what better excuse to sample some of the local wines including Cinon, Saint-Nicholas de Bourgueil, Sancerre and Pouilly- Fume.
2. Provence
Situated in the southern part of France, Provence is a real delight in the autumn months with its famous lavender fields and numerous golden vineyards.
The mellow golden sunshine and cooler temperatures make hiking attractive. What better way to explore some of the region’s prettiest villages including Rousillon, Gordes, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie.
Getting out and about it is easy to see why the area is so famous for its golden daylight which has attracted artists Like Van Gogh over the centuries. It is fun to visit the local markets too as seasonal specialities on sale include chestnuts, mushrooms and truffles.
The grape harvest is in full swing at this time of year and Provence is famous for its rosés, producing 10% of the world’s rosé production. One-third of the area’s wine production is red wine with a small amount of white wine and there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy wine-tasting in a vineyard.
There are a number of seasonal events including Fête de la Chataignes (Chestnuts) held in Collobrières every Sunday in October. For six weeks from 7 September – 27 October, Ventoux Saveurs Festival will be held in the Mont-Ventoux Regional Natural Park and is a great opportunity to meet a variety of local producers ranging from pig farmers to lavender growers.
3. Alsace
The Alsace region in eastern France is a fascinating area to visit as it is a blend of French and German influences. The Alsace looks spectacular during the autumn with golden vine-covered hillsides.
Enjoy some good hiking in the countryside or wandering around beautiful Strasbourg with its half-timbered houses or some of the lovely villages including Colmar and Riquewihr where the rich autumn colors add to the alluring ambiance.
Once the temperatures have started to drop, local dishes including choucroute and tarte flambée become even more appealing!
If you base your trip in Strassbourg, the best way to enjoy the Alsace area is by touring Alsace’s charming towns, villages, castles and wineries.
4. Paris
We simply can’t skip Paris in the fall, as the French capital takes on a nostagic beauty this time of year. It is always bubbling with plenty of activity and it is also generous in parks, gardens and palaces that showcase the colors of turning leaves.
There are some incredible outdoor attractions to visit in Paris in the Fall, including the Jardin des Tuileries and the Luxembourg Gardens, which will both be reflecting the magnificent color palette of the season.
Another popular attraction that glows with autumn colors is the palace at Versailles, close to the city. There are art exhibitions to enjoy and the opera and theatre season begins too and a rainy day can be spent immersed in one of the Parisian museums.
The reduced number of tourists makes visiting the iconic landmarks of the Eiffel Tower and Louvre easier. On cooler autumn days, nothing beats sitting in one of the city’s cosy cafés sipping a hot chocolate or mulled wine.
There are some great events scheduled for the autumn months including Salon du Chocolat at the end of October. Shaka Ponk the popular French rock and punk band are performing at the Accor Arena 28-30 November and the 80’s band celebrates its 45th anniversary in November at Olympia.
While your at it, why not explore more unique things to do in Paris.
5. Bordeaux
Situated in southwest of France, Bordeaux is a beautiful city that nestles amidst vineyards and it is truly at its best in the fall.
Exploring the countryside around Bordeaux is enchanting during the autumn, as the leaves on the vines turn to gold. It is the perfect time to visit some of the vineyards in St Emilion or the Medoc area to join a tour and enjoy some wine tasting too.
Bordeaux itself is the perfect city break destination, as it is easy to explore much of it on foot and the rest using the city’s excellent tram network. The city has stunning architecture to admire in Place de la Bourse, Porte Cailhau and La Grosse Cloche.
There are unique and interesting museums to visit in Bordeaux, including Cité du Vin, the fascinating interactive museum that chronicles the history of winemaking. There is a great observation platform on the 6th floor where the autumnal beauty of the city can be truly appreciated.
On a rainy day, the illusions museum and the Van Gogh and Vermeer exhibitions at Les Bassins des Lumières – the largest digital arts centre in the world, should not be missed.
In complete contrast, there are charming cafés and boutiques to discover as well as enjoying a stroll along the banks of the mighty Garonne River.
6. Other Top Destinations in France in the Fall
While we have brought you five great ideas for places to visit in France during the fall, there are many others that deserve a mention.
The season for seafood is September through April and in Normandy you can enjoy wonderful mussels, oysters and scallops at ‘Toute la Mer sur un Plateau’ – the shellfish festival that is appropriately called ‘ All the Ocean on One Plate’ which runs at the beginning of October.
Another great destination in France in the Fall for wine lovers is Burgundy, with great towns to explore, such as Dijon and Beaune and plenty of wineries too.
And last but not least, a great option is to explore in the Fall is the Basque region in the south-western France where it borders Spain. There is an amazing blend of culture and great food to discover in this region, along with some good hiking trails. The glitzy coastal town of Biarritz is worth a visit as it is still warm enough to stretch out on the golden sand.
Visiting France in the autumn is very rewarding and you will certainly be spoiled with choices.
