What Happens in France in October: Events, Festivals & Key Dates

Autumn begins with a day marking Grandfathers and older people in your family. France is nowhere near as commercial as the US and the UK in this sense, so there’s no need to go all out on lavish gifts. A kind gesture and time spent with family will suffice.

With fall colours transforming parks and gardens, October also sees plant festivals take place throughout France. October is a great time to think about your spring bulbs and winter colours, and to plant any new trees or vines. Mansle in the Charente holds its 29th annual ‘Florales’ this year on the 8th and 9th of October.

Pumpkin festivals

Rian in the Var region has been celebrating the pumpkin every October since 1996 and this year, the festival takes place on the 12^th and 13^th of October.

Chateaubernard in Cognac also hosts its annual pumpkin festival on the 19^th and 20^th of October, 2024, in the Jardins Respectueux. Expect concerts, shows, soups, artisans, all things ‘squash’ and a wheelbarrow race!

Semaine du gout

Fall food also takes centre stage during the nationwide food week that takes place throughout France from the 14^th to the 20^th of October, aimed at educating future generations of food lovers.

Mushroom Festivals

Another autumn delicacy gets a moment in the spotlight at the famous Eguisheim Mushroom Festival (in the Haut-Rhin of North-Eastern France), taking place on the 29-30 of October. The festival celebrates all varieties of mushrooms, truffles, and fungi, culminating in a fantastic mushroom-based meal.

Wine fairs

Of course, it’s also the annual grape harvest, which coincides with numerous wine fairs held in supermarkets, wine cellars and cooperatives around the country. In order to make way for new stocks coming through and to whet the appetite for Beaujolais Nouveau day in November, autumn is prime time for wine sales in France. Local sellers have bargain offers, and all the supermarkets have ‘Foire aux Vins’ displays and special offers. It is a great time to stock up for Christmas and for the New Year. We like to support local producers and visit our local cooperative and family producers.

In France, the entire month of October is dedicated to fundraising for breast cancer, and raising cancer awareness. Sponsored walks, events and get-togethers are organised, and shops often have pink displays. Monuments and churches may also be illuminated in pink and communes make an effort to join in with pink signage and displays decorating many towns and villages.

Our commune of Mons has special ‘October Rose’ signs as you enter and exit, and we are holding a fundraising social evening with a barbecue.

The October half-term holidays in France this year take place from the 19th of October until the 3rd of November 2024 in our region. During this period, tourist offices often hold craft workshops and educational events for the children, usually with an autumnal or a spooky vibe. Paris, of course, has plenty to occupy the children, and the Vienne Tourist Board has lots of ideas already in place, too.

Toussaint (November 1st) is also the time to remember our loved ones who have passed, and the Chrysanthemum is the flower of remembrance placed on the graves as a sign of love and respect. Church services take place to commemorate All Saints Day.

Halloween is becoming more popular and commercial in France as each year passes. When we arrived in 2017, there was literally nothing happening at Halloween, but now we see fancy dress parades and parties taking place. Check with your local Comité des Fetes at the Mairie for any local events. Disneyland Paris, of course, puts on a huge annual Halloween spooktacular, too!

Enjoy the Autumn season in France with the crisper mornings and all the warm colours and fabulous seasonal produce!