France in October: What to Do & Where to Stay
If your idea of bliss is linger-friendly museums, vine-striped hillsides and long lunches that stretch into dusk, France in October might be just your cup of tea—sweetened by Chaumont-sur-Loire’s International Garden Festival, which runs through early November this year. And because it’s close to home (direct Eurostar to Paris in about 2 hrs 16 mins, or easy drive-and-sail options via LeShuttle and regular ferries) it’s an effortless autumn escape.
Across the country, the mood turns cosy and local: café terraces fill with neighbours, markets brim with mushrooms and chestnuts, and Paris’s Montmartre gears up for its joyful Fête des Vendanges (8–12 October 2025). It’s that golden shoulder period when you can wander galleries at an amble and slip into cellar doors without the summer scrum.
Those of you who are more practical should expect brisk-but-pleasant days in Paris (typical October highs slide from the mid-teens °C) and milder conditions further south around Marseille and the Riviera, so pack layers and comfortable shoes. If you’re travelling late in the month, note that it overlaps the French Toussaint school holiday (18 October–3 November 2025), which can make weekends busier in headline spots, so a touch of pre-booking pays off. Come with us as we explore where France shines brightest in October, with each stop packed with unique moments and stays that fit the mood.
Paris
Why go in October
Art without elbows, parkland in copper tones, and a neighbourhood feel you miss in midsummer. Montmartre throws its joyful grape-harvest party, galleries hum ahead of the contemporary-art fair, and pâtissiers gear up for the city’s sweetest week. Chances are you'll find brisk-but-pleasant days and bring a brolly, since October is among Paris’s wetter months.
Don’t miss (October highlights):
- Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre (8–12 Oct 2025): Parades, concerts and tastings on the Butte.
- Paris+ par Art Basel (24–26 Oct 2025): The city’s headline contemporary-art fair, with satellite shows across town.
- Salon du Chocolat (29 Oct–2 Nov 2025): Fashion-meets-cocoa catwalks, demos and tastings.
Where to stay:
- Le Bristol Paris, Oetker Hotels (8ᵗʰ) — Palace-hotel grandeur with actual breathing space: a vast, manicured courtyard garden and an iconic indoor rooftop pool set the scene for languid afternoons between boutiques and galleries on rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré. Gastronomy is a headline act here, with three-Michelin-star Epicure and one-star 114 Faubourg under the same roof, so you can swing from haute cuisine to lively brasserie without leaving the building. Rooms and suites mix Louis-XVI elegance with a quietly cosseting feel. Add Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie and it’s a proper city sanctuary for art-week wanders or autumn shopping.
- Hôtel Particulier Montmartre (18ᵗʰ) — Five all-suite hideaway in what’s often billed as Paris’s largest hotel garden, tucked between Avenue Junot and the vines of Montmartre. The mood is secret-address romantic: leafy paths, a glass-roofed salon, and Le Très Particulier, the on-site cocktail bar with DJ sets on select nights, ideal for sliding into the Vendanges spirit without the crowds. Suites are individually styled and feel like a private townhouse, while breakfast and all-day dining spill into the garden whenever the weather plays ball. It’s a dream base for the Fête des Vendanges and for meandering the hill’s cobbles at golden hour.
- Hôtel des Arts Montmartre (18ᵗʰ) — Independent and art-forward, with friendly service and a just-right location between Rue Lepic and Sacré-Cœur. Rooms are compact but thoughtfully finished (some with balconies or rooftop glimpses), and there’s welcome-on-a-rainy-day kit you don’t always find at this price point: a small fitness room and a steam room/hamam alongside a cosy lobby bar. It’s a great value base for couples or friends who want the village feel of Montmartre—cafés, theatres and the fun of Boulevard de Clichy—without sacrificing comfort or calm.
Alsace Wine Route (Strasbourg · Colmar · Bergheim)
Why go in October
Golden vines, half-timbered villages without the August scrum, and just enough local fêtes to feel part of village life. Harvest runs into early October in many domaines, and weekends often bring “new wine & chestnuts” tastings in Eguisheim, Ribeauvillé–Riquewihr and neighbouring villages. If you plan on exploring France in October, keep in mind that it’s one of the region’s best months for scenery and cellar-door visits.
Don’t miss (October highlights):
- New Wine Celebrations (Eguisheim & villages): Sample vin nouveau with roasted chestnuts; Eguisheim lists dates running 27 Sept–5 Oct 2025, with similar weekends dotted along the route.
- Vignobles en Scène (17–19 Oct 2025): Autumn wine-culture events around the Kaysersberg valley (walks, tastings, small concerts).
Where to stay:
- Cour du Corbeau Hotel Strasbourg - MGallery Collection (Strasbourg) — This historic hotel in Alsace boasts Renaissance character with modern polish. Set in a rare 16th-century former inn (documented since 1528) arranged around galleries and a peaceful interior courtyard, it sits a short stroll from Strasbourg Cathedral yet feels tucked away. Inside are 63 individually styled rooms and suites that juxtapose beams and stone with contemporary comforts. Post-wanders, slip into the intimate bar or the quiet courtyard before dinner in the old town.
- Hotel Le Colombier (Colmar, Petite Venise) — A four-star townhouse right in Little Venice, occupying a Renaissance home (1543) with a striking spiral staircase. It’s an easy base for canal-side strolls and Colmar’s museums, with elegantly appointed rooms and suites, a calm courtyard patio, and small wellness perks (fitness room and bio sauna) to take the edge off an autumn day among the vineyards. Private parking (by reservation), bike hire and even e-charging points make logistics simple in the historic centre.
- La Cour du Bailli Suites & Spa (Bergheim) — A 16th-century winegrower’s residence turned cosy hotel-residence on the Route des Vins, wrapped around two courtyards and offering rooms, studios and apartments. The on-site VitisSpa brings an atmospheric indoor pool (with hydromassage features) and treatment rooms. There’s also a restaurant and, fittingly, a wine focus. It’s a handy, good-value base for hopping between Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr and other nearby villages.
Light planning tip:
Base yourself in Strasbourg or Colmar and day-trip by car or train-plus-bus to storybook stops (Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, Kaysersberg). Autumn brings superb foliage but also the odd unsettled day, so plan an indoor tasting or museum as a back-up.
Burgundy (Beaune · Dijon)
Why go in October
Flame-coloured slopes along the Côte d’Or, cellar doors in full swing, and hearty, slow-cooked menus that feel made for chilly evenings. Early–mid October often sees activity around the harvest, and the month crescendos with convivial wine weekends across the Route des Grands Crus. Expect mild days (around 16–17 °C highs in Beaune/Dijon) and pack layers for cool nights.
Don’t miss (October highlights):
- Fête du Vin Bourru, Nuits-Saint-Georges (18–19 Oct 2025): A beloved weekend under the market halls with new-wine tastings, music and local producers.
- “Fascinating Weekend” (mid-late Oct 2025): Burgundy’s Vignobles & Découvertes programme lays on special tours, tastings, walks and culture along the Route des Grands Crus around Beaune and the Côte.
- Wine & food pop-ups in Beaune: Look out for market-hall tastings and autumn fêtes slotted through the month.
Where to stay:
- Hôtel Le Cep & Spa (Beaune) — Palace-of-charm rather than pomp: a five-star SLH grande dame threaded through interlinked Renaissance townhouses and romantic inner courtyards in the historic heart of Beaune, steps from the Hospices and Notre-Dame. Rooms and suites are individually styled, and the on-site Spa Marie de Bourgogne adds a cocooning finish after cellar tours. The hotel delivers a wine-savvy team, time-honoured Burgundian cuisine, and a spot that puts the old town on your doorstep.
- Hostellerie De Levernois (near Beaune) — A luxury hideaway five minutes from Beaune, set in a seven-hectare park threaded by the Bouzaise river, while also being near vineyards. Come for calm, stay for the food: fine dining at La Table de Levernois, a relaxed bistro by the water, and a tasting cellar that showcases the region. Service is polished yet warm, and the estate’s sustainability touches (from green roofs to serious waste-sorting) are a nice modern note in a classically elegant setting.
- Grand Hôtel La Cloche Dijon - MGallery Collection (Dijon, MGallery) — Dijon's only five-star hotel and a listed historic monument on Place Darcy, pairing Belle-Époque stature with contemporary comforts. You’re a short stroll from museums, mustard houses and wine bars, with a landscaped garden, the bistronomic Les Jardins by La Cloche, a cosy bar, and a vaulted Spa by La Cloche (sauna/hammam) waiting when you return. It’s a handsome, super-central base for exploring the Burgundian capital.
Light planning tip:
Anchor yourself in Beaune for the Hospices quarter, market-hall tastings and easy Côte d’Or drives, then hop to Dijon by train for a day (or night) in the regional capital, an excellent pairing for first-timers.
Loire Valley (Amboise · Cheverny · Chaumont-sur-Loire)
Why go in October
Châteaux wrapped in autumn colours, crowd-light cycling paths, and gardens still in show mode. It’s prime time for slow days of château-hopping and vineyard views, with typical October afternoons around 15–16 °C (nippy nights, so bring layers). Many headline estates keep extended “summer” hours through late October, which makes fitting in two or three visits a day easy.
Don’t miss (October highlights):
- Chaumont-sur-Loire International Garden Festival: A world-class garden art show running 19 April–2 November 2025. October is wonderfully quiet and atmospheric.
- Big-name châteaux with autumn light: Chambord is open daily, typically 09:00–18:00 through late October (check closer to your date). Pair with Chenonceau/Cheverny for a full day.
Where to stay:
- Les Sources de Cheverny (Cheverny) — Woodland-set five-star haven where slow days meet spa rituals. Tucked between forests and vineyards a short hop from Château de Cheverny and Chambord, the estate pairs rustic-elegant rooms with a Spa by Caudalie: a relaxation pool beneath timber beams, hammam, outdoor hot tub and quiet corners to linger post-treatment. It’s an easy wellness-meets-wine base for autumn château days, with offers that bundle suites and spa access if you’re making a weekend of it.
- Chateau des Arpentis (Saint-Règle/Amboise) — Moated 17th-century château turned intimate country hideaway, set in 30 hectares of parkland with lawns, woods and a terrace for lazy breakfasts. This former castle hotel in France features rooms with park views and modern comforts, a seasonal heated outdoor pool, library and billiards room, plus easy driving to Amboise and Chenonceau for château-hopping days. It’s a peaceful, storybook base with just enough amenities (bike hire, gardens, and plenty of space) to make autumn feel unhurried.
- Les Hauts de Loire Relais & Châteaux (Veuzain-sur-Loire) — Romantic 19th-century hunting lodge turned Relais & Châteaux hideaway in 70 hectares of lakes, lawns and woodland. Days are unhurried: lounge by the seasonal outdoor pool, borrow a bike or play tennis, then unwind in the Spa by Clarins (sauna, hammam, treatment cabins). Come evening, choose between the gourmet restaurant and a relaxed bistro, in this polished, nature-soaked base between château visits.
Light planning tip:
Aim for mid-week to keep it serene, and book time-slotted entries for the biggest châteaux if you’re travelling during UK half-term. With shorter days to spend in France in October, start early: many estates still run longer hours until the end of October, then shorten from November.
View all hotels in Chaumont-sur-Loire
Provence & the Calanques (Nice · Cassis/Marseille)
Why go in October
Sun-soft days on the Riviera, sea still pleasant for quick dips, and hiking trails in the Calanques reopening after summer restrictions—this is shoulder season at its sweetest. From 1 October, Parc National des Calanques access is generally open (barring exceptional closures), so you can lace up for cliff-and-cove walks without peak heat. The average daytime highs will be around the upper teens to ~20 °C across Nice and Marseille.
Don’t miss (October highlights):
- Calanques hikes & viewpoints: Pick classic paths from Cassis or Marseille to Port Pin or En-Vau. Bring water, grippy shoes and check conditions/alerts before you set off.
- Boat trips from Cassis: Short cruises run reduced autumn timetables (typically 10:00–12:00 & 13:30–16:30 in October) and reach multiple calanques in a single outing.
- Easy Riviera days in Nice: Museum hops and seafront strolls without midsummer crowds. October averages often sit ~19 °C/12 °C (high/low).
Where to stay:
- Hotel Le Negresco (Nice) — Promenade des Anglais icon where museum-level art meets grand-dame glamour. Behind the pink dome you’ll find opulent rooms and suites, each individually dressed with period pieces and contemporary works, so every floor feels like a private gallery. Dining is a headline act: Le Chantecler holds a MICHELIN star, while La Rotonde serves a beloved brasserie menu, ideal after a sunset stroll along the seafront. You get all the trimmings of a Riviera landmark, from beach access and a buzzy bar to a quietly cosseting service style that keeps regulars returning.
- Hôtel La Pérouse Nice Baie des Anges (Nice) — Cliffside boutique perched by Castle Hill above the Old Town, with terraces that drink in the Bay of Angels. Fresh from a complete renovation in 2023, rooms and suites lean airy-Mediterranean, with many opening to sea-view balconies, and some even adding private Jacuzzis. A small heated outdoor pool is carved into the limestone, and there’s a rooftop terrace, fitness room and sauna for slow autumn afternoons. Le Patio handles meals in a leafy courtyard, and you’re a short wander from Vieux Nice for markets and museums.
- Hôtel Les Roches Blanches Cassis (Cassis) — Five-star Mediterranean perch set on the white limestone rocks just beyond Cassis marina, gazing at Cape Canaille and a stone’s throw from boats into the Calanques. The 1887 mansion turned hotel brings a Riviera-by-nature mood: two sea-view pools, including an infinity pool, ladders for direct sea access, and panoramic terraces for long, late lunches. The Sisley Spa adds treatment rooms, a mosaic hammam and a compact workout space. Dining spans the gastronomic Les Belles Canailles, Nikkei-leaning Loup Bar and sunset-friendly Rocco. It’s equal parts chic hideaway and launchpad for hikes and cruises.
Light planning tip:
Even in autumn, conditions can shift: the Mistral occasionally kicks up and boat trips may be cancelled, while the park can issue exceptional access advisories. Check the day’s notices and go early for parking in Cassis/Les Goudes. Carry plenty of water and proper footwear.
Normandy Coast (Étretat · Honfleur)
Why go in October
For big skies, cliff walks and coastal towns that breathe again. Étretat’s arches glow under softer light, seafood stalls pile high, and inland villages lean into apple-and-cider season. Be prepared for mild-to-cool days on the coast (around 14–17 °C highs) and brisk evenings, perfect for a windproof layer and a cosy bistro after your walk.
Don’t miss (October highlights):
- Apple & Cider season in the Pays d’Auge: Classic fêtes with tastings and rural crafts: Vimoutiers, 18–19 Oct 2025; Beuvron-en-Auge, 19 Oct 2025; Conches-en-Ouche, 26 Oct 2025.
- Honfleur Shell & Fishing Festival, 11–12 Oct 2025: Boats dressed overall, seafood tastings and market stalls around the old harbour.
- Bonus for sailing fans: Le Havre’s legendary transatlantic race (now Transat Café L’OR) sets off 26 Oct 2025, a lively day-trip if you’re nearby.
Where to stay:
- Dormy House (Étretat) — Clifftop classic with sweeping views over the arches, the beach and the village. It features elegant rooms and suites, two on-site dining options (a panoramic traditional restaurant and a relaxed bistro) plus Le Rayon Vert bar and sea-facing terraces made for sunset drinks. Step straight onto the GR21 coastal path for headland walks, then ease back with breakfast looking out to the Channel.
- Les Pins de César - La campagne d'Etretat (near Étretat) — Forest hideaway 5–10 minutes’ drive from the cliffs, tailored to blustery-day pampering. The NUXE Spa brings a covered, heated 12×5m pool, sauna and a large outdoor hot tub/Japanese bath, with massages and facials to match. There’s a small restaurant and gardens for unrushed afternoons between hikes. A serene, nature-first base when you want cliff drama by day and proper cosiness by night.
- La Ferme Saint Simeon Hotel & Spa - Relais & Chateaux (Honfleur) — A 5-star hotel with Impressionist pedigree, manicured gardens and views over the Seine estuary. The 17th-century farmhouse once hosted Monet and Boudin. Today, you’ll find plush rooms across historic buildings, and two restaurants: Les Impressionnistes for refined, seasonal cuisine and La Boucane, a thatched cottage bistro tied to Monet’s canvas. An atmospheric perch above the Vieux-Bassin, blending art history with polished Normandy comfort.
Light planning tip:
Coastal weather turns on a sixpence: check the forecast before committing to cliff paths and pack for wind and showers. For fêtes, arrive early for parking and aim to lunch on local specialities (oysters, moules, apple-tarte), then wander the stalls with a warm cup of cidre chaud.
Three Routes to Explore France in October
1) City & Vines (7 days)
Paris → Burgundy (Beaune/Dijon) → Loire Valley (Chaumont/Amboise/Cheverny)
- Days 1–3: Paris. Time it for Montmartre’s Fête des Vendanges (8–12 Oct 2025) or the contemporary-art fair Paris+ par Art Basel (24–26 Oct).
- Day 4–5: Burgundy. TGV from Paris to Dijon in about 1h35, then continue to Beaune (typically around 2-3h from Paris with a change). Base in Beaune for cellar doors on the Route des Grands Crus.
- Days 6–7: Loire Valley. Roll west for château-hopping and the International Garden Festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire (runs through early November).
Why this works in October: You weave two harvest hubs with a quietly gorgeous garden finale, hitting shoulder-season calm between big-city moments.
2) Storybook Villages & Cliffs (6–7 days)
Alsace Wine Route (Strasbourg/Colmar) → Normandy (Étretat/Honfleur)
- Days 1–3: Alsace. Base in Strasbourg or Colmar. Trains between them take ~26–31 mins and run frequently (≈40+ per day). Look for new-wine (vin nouveau) weekends in early October.
- Days 4–6: Normandy. From Paris, reach Étretat via train to Bréauté-Beuzeville + short bus, or direct coach. Typical journeys are ~3–3.5h by rail+bus or ~3h50 by coach. Time your visit for apple-and-cider fêtes across the Pays d’Auge in mid-to-late October.
Why this works in October: Alsace’s vines glow gold just as Normandy’s coastal light goes cinematic. Weekends layer in village festivals and produce markets.
3) Sun-Chaser’s Loop (5–6 days)
Nice → Cassis/Marseille (Calanques National Park)
- Days 1–3: Nice. Museum hops and seafront strolls with gentler crowds.
- Days 4–6: Cassis/Marseille. Train Nice→Cassis in ~2h30–3h15 (1 change, usually via Marseille). From Cassis or Marseille, hike or boat into the Calanques. From 1 October the park generally reopens after summer access restrictions (always check day-of advisories).
Why this works in October: You keep sunshine on your side, fold in cliff-and-cove walks, and avoid peak-season heat and closures.
Conclusion
As autumn settles in, France in October leans into its best rhythms: art and harvest fêtes in the cities, vine-striped countryside, and coastlines with big skies and fewer crowds. If you’re travelling toward the end of the month, just note the Toussaint school break (19 October–2 November 2025), which can make weekends busier, and the clock change on Sunday 26 October that nudges sunsets earlier—both easy to plan around with a touch of foresight.
Pack layers, build in a little flexibility for weather, and focus your time on the destinations that match your mood: culture-rich Paris, golden-vine Alsace and Burgundy, château-dotted Loire, or the mellow Mediterranean. And when it comes to your base, make the choice effortless by using Travelmyth’s 60 hotel categories such as boutique-style gems, spa retreats, family favourites and adult-only hideaways, to pinpoint the stay that fits your trip in merely a couple of clicks.
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