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Although tourists flock to Paris and the Côte d'Azur in summertime, France is an equally superb and underappreciated autumn destination. You could plan your trip around a wine-and-gastronomy tour that takes you from the Châteaux of Provence to the vineyards of Burgundy...
The celebrated wine-growing region of Burgundy is at its best during October and November. Discover the historic centre of Beaune and surrounding vineyards, or spend a week venturing further afield, accompanied by your guide and driver. Visit centuries-old family wineries, sample legendary wines—and Burgundian truffles—during private tastings, develop your knowledge of viniculture, and join in an actual wine harvest. Explore the renowned 15th-century Hospices de Beaune, a former hospital complex now famous for its annual charity wine auction. Plan your trip in early November to include a day in Dijon, the capital of the historic Burgundy region, to take in the city's annual International Gastronomy Fair. Dine in a Michelin-starred restaurant, or enjoy a gourmet picnic in the heart of a vineyard. Whether you're an amateur or connoisseur, it's your chance for an unparalleled immersion into the world of fine wine.
Our recommendations
A day trip to Beaune
Visit family wineries for private tastings to sample legendary wines & Burgundian truffles
Join in an actual wine harvest
Explore the renowned 15th-century Hospices de Beaune, famous for its annual charity wine auction
Day trip to Dijon
The International Gastronomy Fair
Dine in a Michelin-starred restaurant
Enjoy a gourmet picnic in the heart of a vineyard
With mild temperatures, fewer people, lower prices and greater availability, autumn is the ideal time to explore the French Riviera without the hordes of the high season. You can take in the local scenery, visit uncrowded museums, and enjoy seasonal Mediterranean dishes in the best restaurants that are usually too busy to book. Take a walking tour of Monaco, then head across the port to Monte Carlo to see its world-famous Casino and sip an aperitif at the Café de Paris. Meander through the streets of Nice's Old Town, stopping to sample socca or pissaladière, their local specialties. Spend a leisurely morning visiting Antibes and its Marché Provençale, feast on fresh seafood in an appropriately rustic brasserie, then spend an hour strolling through the galleries of the Picasso Museum. Visit Vence and the perched village of Saint-Paul, with its numerous art galleries, or return to the coast to discover the off-season allure of Cannes' famous Croisette and old town of Le Suquet. Even Saint-Tropez, renowned as a summer spot, is a delight at this time of year, as it recovers its sleeping fishing-village charm.
Our recommendations
Visit the uncrowded museums for cultural immersion
Enjoy seasonal Mediterranean dishes at the best restaurants that are usually booked
A walking tour of Monte Carlo
Visit the Casino in Monte Carlo and sip an aperitif at the Café de Paris
Meander through the streets of Nice's Old Town
Sample local specialities – socca or pissaladière
Visit Antibes and its Marché Provençale
Feast on seafood in a rustic brasserie
Go to the Picasso museum
Visit the numerous galleries in Vence and Saint-Paul
Discover Cannes' famous Croisette
Closest airport Nice or Cannes
Recommended aircraft Citation Sovereign
No matter what the season, there's a certain magic in Provence. Whether the fields are filled with scarlet poppies, lush rows of purple lavender or, in autumn and winter, the copper and gold leaves of fading vineyards (or even the occasional blanket of glistening snow), Nature never fails to put on a colorful show. But the landscape is just part of it: Savor the scents and flavors of Provence during visits to a lavender distillery or goat cheese farm, or join in a truffle hunt with trained truffle dogs. Spend a sunny afternoon hiking through the brilliant red and gold canyons of Roussillon's ochre trail, then learn about the art of using natural ochre pigments in a private workshop. Visit Avignon, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its Papal Palace, or stroll along the tree-lined Cours Mirabeu in Aix-en-Provence, birthplace of Paul Cézanne, stopping to sample calissons, an almond-flavored local delicacy. Trace the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh in Saint Rémy and Arles, or take a day to chiner in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, browsing for treasures in its plethora of antique shops. And be sure to set aside time for stops at a few of the region's many Châteaux to taste the local wines, most notably the exceptional Provence rosés, a summertime favorite that's now enjoyed all year long.
Our recommendations
Savour the scents and flavours - visit a lavender distillery or goat cheese farm
Join a truffle hunt with trained truffle dogs
Hike through the canyons of Roussillon's ochre trail
Learn about using natural ochre pigments in a private workshop
Visit Avignon with is Papal Palace
Stroll along the Cours Mirabeau in Aix-en-Provence
Sample calissons, an local delicacy
Trace the footsteps of Van Gogh in Saint Rémy and Arles
Take a day trip to 'chiner' in Isle-la-Sorgue and browse the antiques shops
Stop at the region's many Châteaux
Taste the local exceptional Provence rosés
Closest airport Marseille
Recommended aircraft Embraer Legacy 450
Andy Swann offers exclusive luxury travel concierge services, excursions and tours in the South of France.
