France is beautiful throughout the year but France in autumn is something to be experienced. The light becomes golden, the leaves start to fall and the days become shorter. There is a real feeling of tranquillity, of a welcome change in season and even a new beginning.
“La rentrée” – which means “the return” – is a phrase you will see in shops, schools and public buildings. It has a feeling of “summer is over now, let’s go back to normal life”.
Autumn in France means crisp winter walks, watching the harvesters pick grapes from the vines and meeting friends for “apéros” at the end of the working day. Of course, it also means cooking up hearty dishes such as boeuf bourguignon and coq au vin.
Autumn events across France
Autumn heralds a whole new beginning in France, whichever part of the country you go to. If you are undecided about whether to buy in France, autumn will likely clinch it for you.
Although we don’t seriously suggest it, you could almost shut your eyes and put a pin in a map of France. Wherever it lands, you are sure to find somewhere utterly beautiful to go to.
You may even be tempted to stay forever.
The best events in France during September
Lille
Hop on the Eurostar from St. Pancras International to Lille and check out the “Braderie de Lille”. This is a giant flea market coupled with music and top French food. The stalls are a delight to stroll through and there are usually several impromptu concerts throughout the town.
Biarritz and St. Jean de Luz
Fly down to Basque country where the weather is still warm in September. The Basque country music festival is a delight. Biarritz has somehow retained its decades old glamour and St. Jean de Luz, its charming little sister town, plays host to its own music throughout the autumn months.
St. Emilion
Situated close to Bordeaux, this glorious wine making town seems to come alive in September. The wine harvest is in full swing throughout the month and you will find several small wineries hosting tastings and special wine and culinary celebrations.
Paris
Paris has a unique character in every season. In autumn, however, as the colours on the trees turn to rich oranges and reds, the city is at its best.
Wander around the Bois de Boulogne to remind yourself of nature’s fantastic offerings. Take a bateau mouche along the Seine and marvel at the architecture along its banks. Without the crowds of summer, the autumn is the best time to spend a week or more in Paris.
The best autumn festivals
You can find festivals dedicated to several items of food across the country.
There is a pumpkin festival in October in Chateaubernard in Cognac and the week of October 14th to 20th October is nominated as the “semaine du gout” in many parts of the country. Several towns and villages join in in an attempt to show off France’s culinary skills.
There is a mushroom festival in the Haut Rhin area of northeast France at the end of October. You will find every type of mushroom is celebrated in several of the villages here.
The so called “mustard capital” of Dijon plays host to a gastronomic festival from 1st to 11th November.
The gorgeous seaside village of Honfleur has an apple festival on 26th October.
The stunning hillside village of Citou in the Aude department takes pride in its onion festival during the autumn.
Wine fairs abound with Beaujolais Nouveau day occurring every year on the third Thursday in November. This is a time to seek out bargains on many wines in the supermarkets and smaller local shops. Check out Montmartre in Paris also for the wine harvest festival from 8th to 12th October.
Half term festivals
Half term in France is staggered across the country. Several craft workshops spring up in smaller villages, often with a nod to the forthcoming celebration of Hallowe’en. This has become more and more popular in France with children dressing up and copying the American way of knocking on doors to offer “trick or treat”.
House hunting in autumn
Once the schools go back and the number of tourists diminishes a little, the autumn is the greatest time to go on a viewing trip. No crowded restaurants, not close enough to Christmas to think about all that the festive season entails, just a peaceful time to think about all that you love about France!
With things a little quieter, you can get the true measure of a location and decide whether you want to call it home.
