Day 3048 (Sunday) 12th October 2025

This is Menton

and this is Saint Agnes.

 

It was another lovely sunny day and we walked up the hill to the vide grenier (empty attic) which is similar to a car boot sale only classier. We saw Sue’s cat on the way; when my friend Sue comes to stay she adopts this cat and so it’s known as Sue’s cat, apparently it has its own Facebook page.

The streets of the old town are very pretty.

dThe vide grenier was in the park on the top road and there was a great turn-out

I was looking for a pair of boots to wear to the posh wedding we’re going to and I managed to find some for just 3€. When we got home Badger loved them.

After the vide grenier we walked back down to town to have some lunch.

Here are the rest of places people are advised to go in France this autumn…

BAYONNE – FRENCH BASQUE COUNTRY

Bayonne in the French Basque Country may not be the first place that springs to mind for an autumn city break. However, this compact city has much to offer. With riverside timber-framed houses, narrow medieval streets, a Gothic cathedral, colourful markets and abundant art galleries and museums to explore, there’s much to keep you entertained for a week or longer.

If you’re visiting in September and wish to incorporate beach fun into your stay, elegant Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz are nearby, or you can choose to experience the great outdoor activities, indulging in a spot of hiking, cycling, golfing or surfing.

Bayonne is also one of the best places to visit in France in October. The Basque Cake Festival takes place over the space of a weekend, where visitors can try melt in the mouth cakes filled with custard and accompanied by local black cherry preserve. Also in the same month, global artists display their recent works in the city which transforms into an open-air theatre.

Bayonne is the French capital of chocolate, and local chocolatiers have been creating the product here since the 17th century. During November, the city opens its workshops and visitors can experience chocolate tasting and partake in guided tours to learn all about the creative process.

NICE

With over 300 days of sunshine, promenade walks, an outdoor Old Town market selling fresh flowers and peppery socca snacks, stunning coastal walks and buzzing nightlife, the seaside city of Nice on the French Riviera attracts visitors from all over the world during the autumn season.

September in Nice is akin to the summer months, with mild temperatures around 22°C, still warm enough for swimming, sightseeing and sunbathing. Nearby in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, a classical music festival is held in an enchanting setting, highlighting both local and international talent.

In October, the city hosts the Nice Short Film Festival. It’s a much-anticipated event for young European creators and is hosted in various theatres throughout the city.

If you’re planning a holiday to France in November, Nice is a great option. Free afternoon concerts are held in the city, there are flea markets where you can browse for treasures, and on the third Thursday, the new annual batch of Beaujolais Nouveau wine is unveiled to a huge celebration.

LILLE

The historic French city of Lille is located just 2 hours north of Paris and can easily be included in a two-centre holiday. The city is teeming with Baroque architecture, and buildings such as La Vieille Bourse, the old stock exchange, have a distinctly Flemish look. In fact, in parts, this city feels more like Belgium than France.

One highlight of the city is Palais des Beaux-Arts. This gallery boasts the second largest art collection in France following the Louvre with works displayed by Monet, Manet and Rubens.

Lille’s Old Town offers incredible shopping opportunities with dozens of boutiques, homeware stores and traditional chocolatiers. Alternatively, feast on delicious treats in a creperie or bistro in the city’s bustling restaurant area known as Rue de Gand.

Autumn months are a good time to catch a ballet performance or opera in Lille, to visit the city’s museums, or if you plan to holiday from mid to late November, you will be treated to the handicraft, mulled wine and gingerbread stalls of Lille’s Christmas market.

PARIS

Paris in autumn sets a stunning scene. The French capitals’ major attractions are less crowded and it’s easier to visit the Louvre, Sacré-Cœur, Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe.

Fall in Paris is a wonderful time of year for taking a walking tour, strolling in Jardin du Luxembourg or Tuileries Gardens, browsing stores along the Champs-Élysées, and spending time in the bohemian Latin Quarter, frequenting underground jazz bars and sipping coffee in historic squares.

In early October, Montmartre Grape Harvest Festival takes place at a historic vineyard in the 18th arrondissement. Over 40+ bars and restaurants in the capital city take part in the annual event, which includes street entertainment, artisanal product tastings, exhibitions and walks.

Heading to Disneyland Paris? In late October the theme park has a whole programme of Halloween events and themed decorations.

BORDEAUX

Bordeaux is an exciting city to visit in fall, especially if you are a food and wine connoisseur. The surrounding area has over 6,000 wineries ripe for touring (many close at the end of October) and the city itself is packed with hip bars and eateries.

Bordeaux boasts an array of historical, natural and cultural attractions too, with a Roman amphitheatre, botanical gardens blanketed in warm shades of brown and gold and an elegant promenade Quais de Bordeaux flanked by magnificent 18th-century buildings.

Don’t leave without visiting La Cite du Vin (the city of wine), the Museum of Aquitaine and Porte Cailhau. At sunset head for the Miroir d’eau, and marvel as Palais-de-la-Bourse reflects on the glass-like water mirror on the pavement.

When it comes to cultural events, Bordeaux doesn’t disappoint either. During October both the Women’s Film Festival and International Festival of Arts of Bordeaux Metropole take place and in November, Bordeaux’s Autumn fair allows you to browse festive gifts for friends and family before the peak rush begins.

TOULOUSE

Tucked away in the south of France, in the romantic Occitanie region, Toulouse is often bypassed on route to Carcassonne or other scenic villages of the Midi. However, this pretty ‘pink city’ is actually a cultural powerhouse, brimming with museums, exhibition centres and art galleries showcasing all genres.

Begin an exploration at Toulouse Museum in the centre. It’s the second largest museum of natural history in the country. Time your visit to coincide with the sunset from the riverside park nearby, as the setting sun turns the city skyline pink creating an enviable Instagram opportunity.

Further museums to visit include the Bemberg Museum set inside a 16th century mansion which houses paintings by Degas, Matisse and Monet or the Augustine’s Museum located in a monastery and filled with sculptures from medieval times.

If technology is more your thing, take a guided tour of Aeroscopia which tells the story of French aviation or venture to Halle de la Machine, with its obscure robotic exhibits.

France in autumn is the perfect time for alfresco dining and Toulouse is a city filled with elegant, architecturally pleasing squares lined with chic cafes and restaurants, where you can while away hours simply soaking up the atmosphere.

CHAMPAGNE REGION

The champagne region in northern France is a region perfect for spending leisurely autumn days. The area is home to some of the world’s finest champagne producers including Maison Mumm, Champagne Tattinger, Moet & Chandon and Veuve Cliquot. Visit from mid-September to mid-October to see France’s wine regions change from green to bronze, take a tour and sample the bubbles with canapes in an elegant champagne house.

The historic city of Reims delights with 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and an impressive cathedral which has crowned 25 kings of France. Reims Cathedral is as iconic in stature as the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and much less crowded to visit.

Also don’t miss the Palace of Tau and Reims Saint-Remi Basilica which dates to the 11th century. If you adore all things Art Deco, take a detour to 1920’ styled Carnegie Library next to Reims Cathedral. The experience is akin to stepping onto a themed movie set.

Alternatively, head underground to the Gallo-Roman cryptoporticus. Once a grain storage area, the arched rooms host temporary art exhibits throughout the year and conjure images of days gone by.