Article written by Elisa
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France in Autumn
What if fall was the best time to visit France? The weather may not be so warm and sunny anymore, but all over the country, magnificent landscapes and vibrant cities await you.
Fall in France is a great season for long walks outdoors, and the display of reds, yellows, and browns that nature has in store gives you a wonderful moment of escape before the winter break.
Also, you can take advantage of the off-season to explore the most beautiful cities in France. As the summer crowds clear out and the hotels empty, it’s easier to find cheaper flights and lower accommodation prices throughout the city during the French autumn. As a bonus, lines for the main tourist attractions are shorter, and patience is higher as the city quiets down in preparation for the winter holidays.
Where to go to France in Autumn? Here are a few of my favorite fall destinations in France – the best places to visit in France in October, September, and November, with something for everyone.
Table of Contents:
- Where to Go in France in September – Best Places to Visit in France in September
- Where to Go in France in October – Best Places to Visit in France in October
- Where to Go in France in November – Best Places to Visit in France in November
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Best Places to Visit in France in September
1. Dordogne (Nouvelle-Aquitaine)
Autumn is a fantastic time to see the Dordogne Valley and the Vezère Valley in the Périgord. The weather in September and October is still warm, the roads are quieter, and the Dordogne castles and other attractions are easier to visit. Enjoy Dordogne’s fall festival of red leaves blending with the warm colors of the hills and the castles.
There are many fun things to do in Dordogne to keep you busy for a while, from fairy-tale Dordogne villages to impressive prehistoric sites and medieval castles. The best way to visit this area is on four wheels; check out this Dordogne road trip itinerary for inspiration.
2. Lille (Hauts-de-France)
The capital city of the Hauts-de-France region is a great place to visit off-season. One of the criminally underrated cities in France, it owes much to its location near the Belgian border, feeling more Flemish than French, from its architecture to its delicious food. Picture large cobblestoned squares lined with extravagant Flemish Baroque buildings; you will have the measure of the place.
Lille is one of the best cities to visit in France in September, when the city hosts the largest flea market in Europe. This annual street market is called the Grande Braderie de Lille, and its origins date back to the 12th century. The Grande Braderie takes place on the weekend of the first Sunday of September, and it is a big thing, hosting three million visitors each year.
If you can’t make it for this special event, don’t worry! The list of best things to do in Lille will keep you so busy you won’t have the time to complain :-).
3. Val de Loire and its Renaissance Castles (Centre Val-de-Loire)
The Loire Valley Castles are stunning in all seasons, but they are especially beautiful when the fall colors cover their parks and gardens. Château de Chambord and its domain is the first to come to mind, but Cheverny, Chenonceau, and Villandry, with their magnificent French-style gardens, are also worth visiting.
For the perfect Loire Valley itinerary, visit one or two of the most popular castles and then drive off the beaten path to explore other lesser-known castles along the banks of the Loire. Some of them are home to autumn gardens whose glowing colors contrast with the white stone of the buildings. And it is even more remarkable when the reflections of the Loire mingle with it.
A fall road trip in the Loire Valley is an excellent opportunity to combine architecture, culture, nature, and great food. If you are short of time, there are also many ways to visit the Loire Valley on a day trip from Paris.
The castle featured in the picture is Château de la Bretesche, in the Loire-Atlantique department (so the lower part of the Loire River). If you like it, you can sleep there.
4. Epicurean Getaway in a Wine Estate
France is a true dreamland for wine lovers. Every region in the country produces its unique wine, and fall in France is the best season to visit the vineyards.
If you decide to visit France in September, you will be able to see the harvest in some of the regions. The harvest season for the sweet wines continues until October. If you visit the wine regions in France in November, you will see the vineyards busy with the pruning and the ridging of the vines’ feet.
For an epicurean experience, consider a vineyard stay in France. From historic châteaux to B&Bs, there are countless vineyard hotels in France, boasting luxurious facilities, perfectly decorated suites with vineyard views, on-site cellars, and gourmet restaurants.
Best Places to Visit in France in October
5. The Four-Lakes Region in the Jura (Bourgogne-Franche-Comté)
If you are wondering where to go in France in October to be close to nature, head to the Four Lakes region in the Jura department. Here, you’ll enjoy fall landscapes like in Canada, with many lakes, waterfalls, and pine forests offering stunning panoramas and unique shots.
In this beautiful corner of France, autumn offers a landscape of great beauty, with the turquoise or sapphire waters of the lakes that contrast with the ochre expanses of the surrounding vegetation. There are also many picturesque villages and great food (check out this fall road trip itinerary through the Jura).
The Jura is one of the best places to visit in September, but I prefer early October for the more vibrant colors and the higher volumes of waterfalls. After the second half of October, the weather gets too cold, and some businesses may be closed.
6. Carcassonne and the Pays Cathare (Occitanie)
If you are wondering where to go in south of France in October, the Pays Cathare is a fantastic option. This cultural region in the Occitanie region, between Carcassonne and Perpignan, is home to an ensemble of medieval cities, Romanesque abbeys, and stunning citadels related to the Cathars, France’s main heretic group in Medieval Times.
The Pays Cathare is one of the best places to visit in France in October when the weather is still good, the cicadas are still singing, and the vine leaves are slowly changing colors.
The best way to explore the Cathar Country is by car, as most of these Cathar castles and other sites are poorly served (or not served at all) by public transportation. This 5-day Cathar Country road trip, with a start and finish in the Cité de Carcassonne, covers the main sites, and it is an excellent opportunity to learn about this fascinating chapter in France’s history.
7. Alsace (Grand Est)
A road trip in Alsace is one of the best things to do in France in October when red, yellow, and orange hues cover the hillsides and lend a special charm to the landscape. Enjoy the Alsace Wine Route, the Vosges, and the picturesque villages in Alsace without the crowds, or set off on a reinvigorating walk up to one of the region’s many fortified castles for breathtaking views.
If you’re visiting the Alsace region for the first time, set your base camp in Strasbourg (one of the best cities to visit in France in October) or Colmar and enjoy the best places to visit in Alsace on day trips.
Best Places to Visit in France in November
8. Aix-en-Provence (Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur)
If you are looking for places to visit in France in November, Aix-en-Provence is a good idea. The city of Cézanne, fountains, and calissons embodies the irresistible Provencal art of living like no other, and it is definitely much more enjoyable after the intense summer heat.
Fall in Aix-en-Provence sees temperatures ideal for sightseeing, and it is less crowded and much more comfortable to explore than during the summer season.
If you’re visiting the city for the first time, don’t miss the Aix-en-Provence markets, which are so typical of Provence. Also, consider taking this food and culture walking tour to learn the stories behind the magnificent City of 1,000 Fountains and its food.
9. Parks and Gardens of Paris (Ile-de-France)
Paris is always a good idea, but it is especially beautiful when the trees turn from green to ochre. In Paris, the Luxembourg Gardens, the Tuileries Garden, and Parc Buttes Chaumont offer enchanting settings that never disappoint walkers.
Paris in the fall is also a time for arts, culture, fashion, and gastronomy. After the summer break, the food and wine festivals are back in town, and they are fun places to visit and do some tastings.
Just over an hour’s ride, south and southwest of Paris, the Forest of Fontainebleau and the Versailles Gardens are ideal destinations to admire the flamboyant colors that nature offers in autumn.
Other places to explore on easy day trips from Paris by train are Parc de Sceaux, Vallée de Chevreuse, Bois de Vincennes, and Bois de Boulogne.
10. Beaune & the Côte d’Or (Bourgogne-Franche-Comté)
During the fall season in France, it’s easy to understand why the Côte d´Or bears this name. In Autumn, the vineyard yields its fruit and gradually changes colors to yellow and orange, thus offering breathtaking landscapes.
The Burgundy wine area is great to explore by car, and amongst the different wine routes, I recommend the Route des Grands Crus from Beaune to Dijon. For more relaxing trips, stay in one of these stunning château-hotels in Burgundy and combine sightseeing with gastronomic meals and wine tasting.
If you visit Beaune in November, don’t miss the Hospices de Beaune wine auction on the third Sunday of the month at the Halle of Beaune. Every year for almost 155 years, wine professionals and amateurs meet at one of the most important events in the wine world. This is one of the world’s most famous auctions, too, and the funds collected are intended for charities.
And there you have it; some great destinations to visit in France in the fall. Which one tempts you most for your next fall holidays in France?