Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre
Montmartre celebrates its little vineyard with parades, tastings, concerts and a neighbourhood atmosphere. One of Paris’s most distinctive autumn weekends.
Official information: Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre
October is the month for autumn colours, wine, food, culture and city breaks in France. Summer loosens its grip, but your appetite for travel doesn’t have to.
This is a strong month for Paris, Alsace, Burgundy, the Basque Country, the Loire, Provence and cities with good food and culture. The weather can change, but the atmosphere is often cosier and more local.
October is particularly well suited to travellers who want to avoid heat and crowds but still enjoy events, markets, wine regions and good restaurants.
In October, France moves into the autumn season. The wine regions turn golden, the forests become beautiful, and the big cities offer art, food fairs and cultural programmes.
This is not the best month for the beach, but one of the best for Paris, food trips, wine routes, villages, museums and short touring holidays.
This page is designed as a practical seasonal guide. It combines travel suggestions, regular events and advice on when to book, where to stay and what to look out for.
Here are events that make this period extra interesting for travellers. Some dates are fixed, others change from year to year. Always check the organiser’s own website before booking your trip.
Montmartre celebrates its little vineyard with parades, tastings, concerts and a neighbourhood atmosphere. One of Paris’s most distinctive autumn weekends.
Official information: Fête des Vendanges de MontmartreA major chocolate and pastry fair at Porte de Versailles. Perfect for food lovers and families with a sweet tooth.
Official information: Salon du Chocolat ParisAn international art fair in the Grand Palais and a week when the whole of Paris turns up the volume on galleries, design, collectors and contemporary art.
Official information: Art Basel ParisAn architecture weekend with guided tours, open offices, city walks and family programmes. Well suited to Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux and Lille.
Official information: Journées nationales de l’architectureA food festival built around the famous Espelette chilli pepper. A colourful destination for anyone wanting to combine the Basque Country, Biarritz and local food culture.
Official information: Fête du Piment d’EspeletteFrance is a big country, and the right destination depends on the weather, opening hours, your interests and how much you want to move around. These suggestions are particularly well suited to this period.
October is perfect for Paris: art, chocolate, Montmartre, restaurants and museums without the summer pressure.
Espelette, Bayonne and Biarritz offer autumn food, coastline and Basque culture. The weather can be fresh, but the region has real character.
Dijon, Beaune and the vineyards are beautiful in October. This is a month for food, wine and small towns.
Strasbourg, Colmar and the wine route have autumn colours before the Christmas market season. A good month for quieter village visits.
The châteaux and gardens take on a different atmosphere in October. Fewer crowds and plenty of time for culture.
If you want to make your trip more concrete, you can search for guided tours, tickets, excursions and activities for the relevant period. Use this as a supplement to hotels, trains and your own itinerary.
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Yes, especially for adult travellers, food, wine, culture and city breaks. For a beach holiday it is less reliable.
Paris, Burgundy, Alsace, the Loire, the Basque Country, Provence and parts of the Riviera all work well.
It varies. The north and inland areas can be chilly, while southern France often has mild days, but you should pack for changeable weather.
Events may change their dates, programmes and opening hours. Use these links as a final check before publishing or booking.
October shows France from a more flavourful and reflective side. It is a month for art, wine, markets, food and calm cities – perfect for travellers who want more than just sun and sand.