What special autumn events or festivals can I experience in France during October?

France's October calendar features several notable harvest celebrations and cultural events. In Paris the Montmartre Wine Harvest Festival brings the 18th arrondissement to life while Tours hosts its International Food Festival drawing culinary enthusiasts from across Europe. The Loire Valley's wine regions come alive with harvest festivities particularly in Saint-Emilion and Vouvray where local vintners open their estates to visitors. Many hotels like the centrally located Hotel Le Progres in Angers or Hampton by Hilton in Tours provide convenient bases for festival-goers.

What are the most scenic places to visit in France during October's fall colors?

The autumn transformation of France's landscapes peaks in October. The Loire Valley showcases a blend of golden vineyards and historic chateau gardens with Chambord and Chenonceau offering particularly picturesque settings. Along the Rhône Valley between Lyon and Avignon visitors can see fall colors paint the riverbanks in warm hues. For optimal viewing locations consider staying at the Novotel Amboise or Hotel Le Dauphin in Honfleur both positioned near prime fall foliage routes.

Are tourist attractions less crowded in France during October?

October marks a sweet spot in French tourism with reduced crowds but agreeable weather conditions. Popular destinations like Mont Saint-Michel and the Loire Valley châteaux see noticeably fewer visitors compared to peak summer months. This timing often translates to better rates and availability at accommodations such as the Mercure Bordeaux Meriadeck or Hampton by Hilton Tours. The comfortable temperatures and lighter tourist traffic make October ideal for unhurried exploration.

What are the best food and wine experiences in France during October?

October's harvest season creates rich opportunities for wine enthusiasts in Bordeaux Loire Valley and Burgundy. Visitors can join grape harvesting sessions participate in tastings and attend harvest festivals. The month also brings peak seasons for wild mushrooms truffles and autumn specialties. Properties like Hotel Kyriad Saumur Centre and Mercure Grand Hotel in Nantes serve as excellent starting points for exploring these seasonal gastronomic offerings.

What unique wine experiences are available in France during October?

The October harvest transforms French wine regions into hubs of activity. Bordeaux's prestigious estates including Château Coutet welcome visitors for harvest-time tastings. Burgundy's Route des Grands Crus features historic cellars in Gevrey-Chambertin and Nuits-Saint-Georges offering special seasonal programs. The combination of active vineyards autumn colors and traditional wine-making practices creates distinctive experiences across France's wine territories.

What special culinary experiences are available in France during October?

October presents unique seasonal food opportunities across France. Visitors can join truffle hunting expeditions in Dordogne take part in mushroom foraging in Provence or experience wine harvest activities in various regions. Restaurants like L'Hostellerie la Gentilhommière in Nuits-St-Georges create special autumn menus featuring local game seasonal produce and newly harvested wines making October a particularly rewarding time for food enthusiasts.

France Tours in October 2026

10 best France trips in October 2026

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In-depth Cultural
Best of France Tour
4.6 (66 traveler reviews)
"Extraordinary sights and very good accommodation made for an excellent experience."
Dr, traveled in October
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Paris, Rouen, Honfleur, Normandy Beach, Caen, Saint-Malo,Mont Saint-Michel,Angers,Chenonceaux,Chambord+4 more
Age Range
Ages 6+
Country Region
Northern France
Operated in
English
Operator
Eskapas
3% Off
From $2,750
US$2,668per person
Price based on Private Double Room
6 Oct, 2026
10+ spaces left
13 Oct, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Explorer
Romantic France
3.0 (7 traveler reviews)
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Paris, Versailles, Tours, Bordeaux, Lourdes, Carcassonne,Narbonne,Marseille,Arles,Les Baux de Provence,Pont du Gard,Avignon,Lyon,Tournus,Beaune,Dijon,Semur-en-Auxois,Vezelay+12 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
3% Off
From
US$1,728per person
Price based on Private Double Room
3 Oct, 2026
10+ spaces left
17 Oct, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Explorer
French Ring
3.4 (7 traveler reviews)
"Really great variety of activities. Was very well organised and informative."
Veronica, traveled in September
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Paris, Versailles, Giverny, Rouen, Arromanches-les-Bains,Caen,Mont Saint-Michel,Saint-Malo,Dinan,Rennes,Angers,Tours,Villandry,Amboise,Chenonceaux,Chambord,Limoges,Sarlat-La-Caneda,Beynac-et-Cazenac,Rocamadour,Padirac,Collonges la Rouge,St Emilion,Bordeaux+19 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
3% Off
From
US$2,253per person
Price based on Private Double Room
11 Oct, 2026
10+ spaces left
25 Oct, 2026
10+ spaces left
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In-depth Cultural
Enchanted France
4.0 (1 traveler review)
"comprehensive itinerary, ideal for people who want an all-over experience of the country in a somewhat short time."
Gulay, traveled in September
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Blois, Tours, Villandry, Amboise, Chenonceaux, Chambord,Limoges,Sarlat-La-Caneda,Beynac-et-Cazenac,Rocamadour,Padirac,Collonges la Rouge,Saint-Emilion,Bordeaux,Lourdes,Carcassonne,Narbonne,Marseille,Arles,Les Baux de Provence,Avignon,Lyon,Tournus,Beaune,Savigny-les-Beaune,Dijon,Besancon,Colmar,Riquewihr,Strasbourg,Paris+25 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
3% Off
From
US$2,291per person
Price based on Private Double Room
2 Oct, 2026
10+ spaces left
16 Oct, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Explorer
Explore your France
3.1 (14 traveler reviews)
"Every moment was magical. Merci Beaucoup."
Mazen, traveled in August
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Paris, Versailles, Giverny, Rouen, Arromanches-les-Bains,Caen,Mont Saint-Michel,Saint-Malo,Dinan,Rennes,Angers,Tours,Villandry,Amboise,Chenonceaux,Chambord,Limoges,Sarlat-La-Caneda,Beynac-et-Cazenac,Rocamadour,Padirac,Collonges la Rouge,St Emilion,Bordeaux,Lourdes,Carcassonne,Narbonne,Marseille,Arles,Les Baux de Provence,Avignon,Lyon,Tournus,Beaune,Savigny-les-Beaune,Dijon,Semur-en-Auxois,Vezelay+33 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
3% Off
From
US$2,798per person
Price based on Private Double Room
11 Oct, 2026
10+ spaces left
25 Oct, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Explorer
Normandy D-Day Beaches, Saint-Malo & Mont Saint-Michel: 2-Day Guided Tour from Paris with Hotel Pick-Up
5.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
2 days
Destinations
Paris, Rouen, Honfleur, Normandy Beach,Arromanches-les-Bains,Caen,Saint-Malo,Mont Saint-Michel+4 more
Age Range
Ages 6+
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
PARISCityVISION
3% Off
From
US$629per person
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Oct, 2026
6 spaces left
4 Oct, 2026
6 spaces left
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Explorer
Brittany and Normandy with Paris
3.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Paris, Versailles, Giverny, Rouen, Arromanches-les-Bains,Caen,Mont Saint-Michel,Fougeres,Chartres+4 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Northern France
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
3% Off
From
US$1,079per person
Price based on Private Double Room
11 Oct, 2026
10+ spaces left
25 Oct, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Explorer
Explore Mont Saint-Michel & Loire Valley Châteaux on a 2-Day Guided Journey from Paris
4.0 (8 traveler reviews)
"The arrangement was very good. The guide tour gave information very good."
Piyawan, traveled in July
Duration
2 days
Destinations
Paris, Mont Saint-Michel, Angers, Langeais, Amboise,Chenonceaux,Chambord+2 more
Age Range
Ages 10+
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
PARISCityVISION
3% Off
From
US$555per person
Price based on Private Double Room
2 Oct, 2026
10+ spaces left
5 Oct, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Explorer
Cote d Azur, Burgundy and Alsace
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"Very well organised tour 👌, great spots to visit in the places one wants to go."
Pieter, traveled in August
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Marseille, Arles, Les Baux de Provence, Avignon, Lyon,Tournus,Beaune,Savigny-les-Beaune,Dijon,Besancon,Colmar,Riquewihr,Strasbourg,Paris+9 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
3% Off
From
US$938per person
Price based on Private Double Room
8 Oct, 2026
10+ spaces left
22 Oct, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Explorer
Northern France Express - 6 days
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Paris, Rouen, Honfleur, Omaha Beach, Arromanches-les-Bains,Caen,Saint-Malo,Mont Saint-Michel,Angers,Chenonceaux,Chambord+6 more
Age Range
Ages 6+
Country Region
Northern France
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
20% Off
From $3,720
US$2,976per person
Price based on Private Double Room
6 Oct, 2026
10+ spaces left
13 Oct, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Explorer
Discover Normandy & Beyond: 3-Day Guided Journey to D-Day Beaches, Mont Saint-Michel & Loire Valley Châteaux
4.5 (57 traveler reviews)
"The Chateaux's were definitely my favourite part of the trip plus of course Mont-Saint-Michel!"
Amanda, traveled in October
Duration
3 days
Destinations
Paris, Rouen, Honfleur, Normandy Beach, Omaha Beach,Arromanches-les-Bains,Caen,Saint-Malo,Mont Saint-Michel,Angers,Langeais,Amboise,Chenonceaux,Chambord+9 more
Age Range
Ages 10+
Country Region
Northern FranceEurope Castle France CastleLoire Castle+3 more
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
PARISCityVISION
20% Off
From
US$841per person
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Oct, 2026
10+ spaces left
4 Oct, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Our most booked and loved tours
Best Seller
Bicycle
Cycle Provence
4.7 (27 traveler reviews)
"We were in a lovely region of France with a lot of history, good food and good wine."
Stephen, traveled in September
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Marseille, Carpentras, Gordes, Cavaillon,Saint-Rémy-de-Provence+1 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Country Region
Southern FranceProvence+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Explore!
11% Off
From $2,420
US$2,150per person
Price based on Private Double Room
3 Oct, 2026
9 spaces left
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In-depth Cultural
Southern France Tour - Nice to Paris
4.6 (26 traveler reviews)
"We had a wonderful trip!! We loved the hotel in city center Paris. I'd say also you must be ready to walk a lot during day."
Walter, traveled in July
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Nice, Saint-Tropez, Marseille, Arles, Les Baux de Provence,Avignon,Lyon,Tournus,Beaune,Savigny-les-Beaune,Dijon,Semur-en-Auxois,Vezelay,Paris,Versailles+10 more
Age Range
Ages 6+
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Eskapas
3% Off
From $2,620
US$2,541per person
Price based on Private Double Room
6 Oct, 2026
10+ spaces left
20 Oct, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Explorer
7 Day France- Paris And Nice by Train including Monaco And Versailles
4.5 (2 traveler reviews)
"The transfers were excellent."
james, traveled in August
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Paris, Nice
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
STM Tours LLC
27% Off
From $1,763
US$1,287per person
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Oct, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Oct, 2026
10+ spaces left
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In-depth Cultural
French Dream
4.1 (20 traveler reviews)
"His English was great, he impressed and enforced the limitations of time at each attraction."
Hauthia, traveled in June
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Blois, Tours, Villandry, Amboise, Chenonceaux, Chambord,Limoges,Lascaux,Sarlat-La-Caneda,Beynac,Rocamadour,Padirac,Collonges la Rouge,St Emilion,Bordeaux,Paris+10 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
27% Off
From
US$1,294per person
Price based on Private Double Room
2 Oct, 2026
10+ spaces left
16 Oct, 2026
10+ spaces left
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