There’s plenty going on across France this autumn – starting with la rentrée, the big ‘return’, back to work, back to school, and back to normal after the long summer holidays. It’s the season when the arts world gets a renewed lease of life and loads of new exhibitions start. And at the end of the autumn, we’re easing into the Christmas festivities!
National events in Autumn
31 October – Halloween – not as popular in France as it is in the US, but events seem to increase year on year – especially at theme parks, major attractions from museums in Paris to chateaux in the Loire Valley.
1 November – Le Toussaint, a national holiday, a day of remembrance of those who have passed. It’s traditional to put tubs of colourful chrysanthemums on the graves of loved ones.
11 November – Armistice Day, a national holiday to commemorate the end of World War I at 11am, November 11, 1918 in Compiègne, Picardy. Every town and village will honour those lost, laying wreaths at memorials and holding services of remembrance.
Beaujolais Nouveau – third Thursday of November (November 16, 2024), when the first wine of the season is released at 12.01 a.m., celebrated in France and beyond.
What’s New?
Photo cheese museum
Musée du Fromage, Paris – yes, cheese lovers, the first cheese museum in France opened in June – what could Brie better?!
23 November 2024 – reopening of the Matisse Museum in Cateau-Cambresis, northern France
What’s on in France autumn 2024?
French Property show 19-20 October, 2024, Cheltenham, England
For anyone planning to buy a property in France or move to France, the French Property Show is an absolute must to help you make your dreams of a new life in France come true.
Rederie d’Amiens, October 6, 2024
An annual flea market that takes over the whole town with a whopping 5km of stalls. The second biggest flea market in France after Lille, which is the biggest flea market in Europe!
Honfleur, Normandy – Fete de la crevette, 12-13 October 2024
The shrimp festival held in this lovely port town is authentic, fun and charming, not to mention delicious! Sea shanties, pirate village, arts and crafts stalls, cookery demonstrations and of course seafood specialities, plus cheeses and other local produce. ot-honfleur.fr
Paris, Montmartre – Fêtes des Vendanges, 9-13 October 2024
This is one you definitely should not miss if you’re in Paris at this time. A harvest celebration of the wine made in the secret vineyard of Paris, with dance, food, fireworks and a lot of fun.
Étaples Herring Festival, 9-10 November 2024
In Étaples, Pas-de-Calais, near Le Touquet, the humble herring is celebrated. A huge street food event sees the fish cooked every which way – grilled, marinated or smoked. And it’s accompanied by a crispy chunk of French bread and a robust glass of wine. 9-10 November, 2024. www.etaples-tourisme.com
Nancy Jazz Pulsations Fest, 5-19 October, 2024
Non-stop concerts throughout the Nancy (Lorraine, northeast France) area and not just jazz despite the name: blues, rock, chanson française, electro, reggae, hip-hop and world music.
Salon du Chocolat, Paris, 30 October to 3 November 2024
The world’s leading chocolate companies and artisans will be at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. A must for chocoholics!
Coming up
8 December 2024 – reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris
Late November–December 31 – Christmas Markets take place all over France with the Paris
Christmas Paris lights likely to be switched on 24 November (TBC).
Lyon Festival of Lights 5 to 8 December, 2024 – one of the greatest light shows in the world.
The Perfect Paris Tour 6-12 April 2025 – join author (and editor of The Good Life France) Janine Marsh for a week in Paris to get to discover the most perfect, authentic and fascinating parts of the city of light.
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