Autumn Colors in France
A road trip to admire the most beautiful forests and vineyards of France dressed in their autumn finery, from blazing red to luminous gold.
Five days to catch France in its autumn colours, when forests and vineyards blaze. The route runs from the Fontainebleau forest, a listed biosphere reserve, to the golden vineyards of Beaune, then the Tarn Gorges, the Iraty forest in the Basque Country and the Gavarnie cirque in the Pyrenees. It's a hiker's and photographer's loop: low light, morning mists and amber palettes. The best window falls between mid-October and mid-November, shifting with altitude and the year's weather. Bring warm clothes — days shorten fast — and set off early to enjoy the morning light on the ridges.
Practical info
- Stops
- 5
- Duration
- 5 days
- Transport
- 🚗 Car
- Distance
- ≈ 1010 km
- Best time
- Spring and summer
Itinerary
- 1
Foret de Fontainebleau
L'une des plus grandes forets de France, sublime en automne avec ses chenes et ses rochers de gres.
- 2
Vignobles de Beaune
Les vignobles bourguignons se parent d'or et de pourpre pendant les vendanges.
- 3
Gorges du Tarn
Falaises calcaires et forets denses aux couleurs flamboyantes en arriere-saison.
- 4
Foret d'Iraty
La plus grande hetraie d'Europe, un ocean de rouge et d'orange a l'automne.
- 5
Cirque de Gavarnie
Amphitheatre naturel classe UNESCO, les cascades et les paturages se dorent en octobre.
