I love New England all year long but I have to admit that I have a coup de coeur for the fall season. What is more satisfying than walking le nez en l’air and looking at all the lovely colors of the leaves? Yellow, red, purple or orange- pick your favorite! New England’s foliage is the most beautiful I have ever seen. That being said, do you know that France is also a great place to experience les couleurs de l’automne?
Paris
If you are in Paris during the fall I would recommend going to the Jardin des Tuileries, Jardin du Luxembourg, Parc Monceau or Les Buttes Chaumont where you will be able to watch the green leaves turn yellow. Those are great places, however my best advice would be to catch a train to either Fontainebleau or Chantilly and have a walk in the forest where you will be surrounded by the fall foliage. If you are lucky you might also see some deer!
Bordeaux
Want to bundle wine tasting and fall foliage? Once again catch a 35-minute train from Bordeaux center to Saint-Émilion’s village. La Cité has a gorgeous view of the vineyard for miles and right after les vendanges (the harvest) the fields turn orange. What could be better than sipping one of the best grand cru while looking at this breathtaking scenery?
The Alps
There are a lot of great places to enjoy the fall in the Alps but nothing like the parc naturel régional du Queyras. This region offers a geographical diversity that never ceases to surprise: rivers and lakes crisscross the narrow valleys dominated by steep mountains, while the Mediterranean influence is felt through heritage, architecture and the sweetness of life. This place is gorgeous all year long, however fall gives it its best costume!
The Landes
Le rendez-vous des gourmands! Do you know that fall is la saison de la gastronomie in Les Landes, a department in Southwest France on the Atlantic Coast? This is when Mother Nature is the most generous: there is a robust selection of grapes, mushrooms, foie gras, armagnac and so on! Make the most of your trip by combining food festivals and gorgeous hikes in the Landes' well known forests and beaches.
For the city lovers
Paris
If you are in Paris during the fall I would recommend going to the Jardin des Tuileries, Jardin du Luxembourg, Parc Monceau or Les Buttes Chaumont where you will be able to watch the green leaves turn yellow. Those are great places, however my best advice would be to catch a train to either Fontainebleau or Chantilly and have a walk in the forest where you will be surrounded by the fall foliage. If you are lucky you might also see some deer!
Want to bundle wine tasting and fall foliage? Once again catch a 35-minute train from Bordeaux center to Saint-Émilion’s village. La Cité has a gorgeous view of the vineyard for miles and right after les vendanges (the harvest) the fields turn orange. What could be better than sipping one of the best grand cru while looking at this breathtaking scenery?
For the countryside lovers
The Alps
There are a lot of great places to enjoy the fall in the Alps but nothing like the parc naturel régional du Queyras. This region offers a geographical diversity that never ceases to surprise: rivers and lakes crisscross the narrow valleys dominated by steep mountains, while the Mediterranean influence is felt through heritage, architecture and the sweetness of life. This place is gorgeous all year long, however fall gives it its best costume!
The LandesLe rendez-vous des gourmands! Do you know that fall is la saison de la gastronomie in Les Landes, a department in Southwest France on the Atlantic Coast? This is when Mother Nature is the most generous: there is a robust selection of grapes, mushrooms, foie gras, armagnac and so on! Make the most of your trip by combining food festivals and gorgeous hikes in the Landes' well known forests and beaches.
Have you ever experienced l'automne in France? Share your experience with us!
Clémence Bary-Boloré
Cultural Programs Manager / Office Manager
Clémence has a Master’s degree in Cultural Projects Management. She worked in Paris for several years for theater companies. She likes discovering new cultures, people and places, which is why she crossed the ocean to start a new experience in Boston. She is glad to be part of the French Library to promote French culture and language. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, hiking, kayaking and all forms of art!
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