Day 3396 (Saturday) 26th September 2026

This is Villefranche

and this is Ile Saint Honorat, an island off Cannes.

it was a little bit cloudy this morning but it soon brightened up and at lunchtime and we went up to the Corne d’Or for lunch. The view wasn’t as wonderful as usual because it was still a bit cloudy but it’s always special.

The autumn wine fairs are happening at the moment so Huw looked it up when we got home and found this article…

Foire Aux Vins

The autumn wine fairs of 2026 began at the end of August and will end in October 2026.

Wine Fairs 2026  : The best deals aren't always found in the first few days. Contrary to what many still believe, the best deals aren't necessarily all to be found during the opening period. The wine fair clearance sales are just as worthwhile, with stock clearance offering additional discounts.

While the first spring wine fairs of 2026 begin at the end of February, the main wine fairs of the year, those held in the autumn, take place from the end of August to the end of October 2026. While the most anxious wine lovers buy their wines at the very start of the fairs, hunting for bargains (the best offers typically involve the smallest stocks), it's not uncommon to find even better deals at the end of the fair period. Distributors are willing to offer additional discounts to clear out (the term is well chosen) their unsold stock. Admittedly, there's far less choice, but at even more advantageous prices.

Wine fairs regularly feature a selection of champagnes. This is a good opportunity to review what you need to know about champagne before making your choice.

The "wine fair" is an annual event held in many wine shops, supermarkets, and wine cellars worldwide. This promotional period is typically characterised by special offers, discounts, and a focus on specific wines. Wine fairs are often organised at specific times of the year, usually in the autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, after the grape harvest and when new vintages are ready to be bottled and sold.

During a wine fair, you can expect the following: 

Special offers : Wines may be offered at reduced prices or with special promotions to encourage bulk purchases.

Expanded selection  : Stores can highlight wines from different regions, grape varieties and vintages, giving consumers a wider variety of choices.

Tastings  : Some wine fairs organise tastings, allowing you to try different wines before making a purchase decision.

Expert advice  : Stores can provide information on wine characteristics, food and wine pairings, and recommendations to help customers choose wines that match their preferences.

New features  : Wine fairs are often an opportunity to discover new vintages and new wines that have just been put on the market.

Assorted baskets  : Some stores offer assorted wine baskets, providing a selection of bottles for different occasions or cooking styles.

Wine fairs are an excellent way for wine lovers to discover new labels, buy wines at great prices, and explore different regions and styles. It's also a time when retailers look to attract new customers and retain regulars by offering attractive buying opportunities.

France runs two kinds of wine fair, and 2026 is no exception. The "foire aux vins" is the autumn retail event when supermarkets and wine merchants discount their best selections, starting as early as 3 September. Alongside it, the winemakers' salons bring independent producers face to face with the public from October to December. This calendar gathers the confirmed 2026 dates for both, all sourced from the retailers and organisers themselves.

Autumn 2026 foire aux vins dates (French supermarkets)

The autumn foire aux vins opens with Lidl on 3 September 2026, then most chains follow between mid-September and mid-October. Here are the announced 2026 dates.

Lidl from 3 September in store

Nicolas 7 September - 3 October shops + online

Intermarché 8 - 27 September stores + online

Monoprix 11 - 27 September stores + online

Cdiscount 15 - 29 September online

Aldi from 22 September in store

Système U 22 September - 4 October Super U / Hyper U + online

Carrefour 22 September - 18 October Hyper / Market / City + online

E.Leclerc 29 September - 11 October stores + online

E.Leclerc runs its wine fair from 29 September to 11 October 2026, with an online preview a few days before the shelves open. Carrefour spreads its own from 22 September to 18 October depending on store format. Auchan, Cavavin and V and B usually run their operations in September, but their 2026 dates were not yet official at the time of writing: check the retailer's website directly.