Leaves appear in brilliant colors, mornings are chilly, the climate is mild, creating incredible weather for outdoor adventures, and the scenery is nothing less than breathtaking. There is never a good time to explore France like autumn! Being an off-season, vacationers should have the best moment exploring the country's most visited cities, like Paris. Since the crowds have cleared, it is easier to find the best deals on flights, accommodation, and restaurants. Planning an autumn vacation in Europe? These are the best vacations to explore in France.
10 Loire Valley
Nestled a few hours south of Paris, Loire Valley is one of the best places to visit in autumn. The area is surrounded by beautiful vineyards and forests, which create spectacular scenery, perfect for strolling. Loire Valley boasts outstanding castles, enchanting small towns, and a fantastic food scene. Most of the lushly rural area landscapes are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Autumn is the time when the locals harvest grapes, attend numerous festivals, and concerts are at their best, so exploring Loire Valley in autumn is definitely worth it!
9 Aix-en-Provence, Provence
For travelers looking to enjoy the last moments of the summer heat and wine, there is never a better place in France than Provence. It’s no wonder the area receives over five million visitors every year. Being located in the country’s south side, it remains warmer after summer than the rest of the regions. The city features numerous gorgeous vineyards, making it one of the places to go wine tasting. The city’s local markets are ideal for shopping. The city is also believed to be filled with haunted spots that horror buffs would love to explore.
8 Metz, Grand-Est
While Metz is one of the most underrated French tourist destinations, it is a place worth exploring, especially in autumn. The city is rich in history and culture – and fall is the perfect time to visit its magnificent modern museum and its incredible architecture. Metz can be best visited from Lyon or Paris, maybe for a short weekend break. There is so much this city has to offer, ranging from autumn views, fall festivals, historical tours, and the amazing culture of the locals.
7 Toulouse, Occitanie
Sometimes referred to as the ‘the pink city of France, Toulouse is beautiful year-round, but autumn is a magical time to spend in this area of France. Its position towards the South means it gets pretty hot during summer, leave alone extremely busy. Toulouse boasts incredibly gorgeous scenery, thanks to the autumn views. Fall is the perfect time to explore the magnificent brick building of the Basilique Saint-Sernin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
6 Dordogne Valley, Perigord
There are several fun things vacationers can do in Dordogne Valley in autumn, including the festival of red leaves that naturally blends with the incredible autumn views created by the changing colors on its beautiful landscapes. The valley is known for its gorgeous castles, which become more interesting in fall as they get surrounded by the warm colors of the season. One of the most impressive attractions to explore in the area is the Caves of Lascaux, which travelers should book before visiting.
5 Cap Ferret, Gironde, Aquitaine
Fall is a popular time to harvest oysters, and travelers will see farmers landing with fresh produce right from the farm. In this area, vacationers will find an incredible combination of oyster farms and a magnificent destination that usually gets crowded in the summer. With crowds gone in fall, it is an excellent time to explore the farms, grab some eats in some of the chic restaurants, and stroll through the pine forests. This is also a beautiful place to go boat riding and bird watching.
4 Lyon, France
Located in Eastern France, Lyon is a beautiful fall destination, offering endless activities for travelers to enjoy. From its best-hidden travel gems to the gorgeous attractions, including Notre Dame de Fourviere. Parc de la Tête d’Or is most spectacular in autumn, making it one of the most magical places to explore in Lyon during the season. The park features magnificent sunrises and sunsets, creating an incredible opportunity for a nice stroll. One can also decide to visit one of the many museums the city has, including Musée des Confluences for rich history, Musée des Beaux-Arts for picture-perfect art, and Musée Miniatures et Cinéma for movies and cinema.
3 Montpellier, Occitanie
Montpellier is so stunning that first-timers would wonder why they hadn't visited this gorgeous part of Southern France. The city boasts an incredible food scene, breathtaking architecture, beautiful history, and more. Vacationers should try to explore the city's outskirts where they will find Château de Flaguergues, a scenic mansion considered the most picturesque in I’Hexagone. With so much to offer vacationers, Montpellier is definitely one of the best autumn vacations to explore in France.
2 Paris, France
Visiting Paris is always a brilliant idea at any time of the year because the city is brimming with numerous attractions that vacationers can explore year-round. Exploring Paris' parks and gardens would offer the most unforgettable autumn vacation experience. The Luxembourg Gardens and Tuileries Garden are filled with fall colors, making the scenery look nothing less than spectacular! Autumn vacation in Paris also means endless festivals, amazing art and culture, fashion, and a fantastic food scene.
1 Jura, France
Fall in Jura is simply fascinating, thanks to the striking landscape, boasting gorgeous lakes with turquoise waters. The surrounding vegetation is breathtaking full of autumn leaves. Jura also features beautiful villages and a fantastic food scene. The best time in autumn to explore Jura is early October, maybe the first two weeks of the month. From the third week of October, the weather starts to get cold, and travelers may find some businesses, including restaurants and hotels, not operating, thereby limiting their options.