Autumn in France is considered by many to be one of the most enchanting times to travel. From north to south of the country, the French take advantage of the season to stroll through parks filled with golden leaves, take part in traditional grape harvests (vendanges), explore seasonal markets, and enjoy a rich cultural calendar. If you are planning to travel to France in autumn — especially to Rennes or to Brittany — this guide brings together the best activities, must-see places, and typical seasonal experiences that will make your trip even more special.
Brittany in autumn is a spectacle of its own. This region, known for its strong cultural identity and landscapes shaped by the sea and Celtic traditions, takes on vibrant colors and a warm, welcoming charm between September and November. Cities become calmer, markets fill up with seasonal produce, and festivals bring life to every weekend.
If you are in Rennes, one of the gateways to Brittany, you will find countless ways to enjoy autumn: historic walks, cultural events, traditional gastronomy, hiking trails, regional festivals, and much more. Check out below some suggestions to experience the very best of the season in France.
Photo: Patricia COSTA
Orange leaves covering the ground, the smell of roasted chestnuts in the air, and lively cafés. Autumn is one of the French people’s favorite seasons. At this time of year, the country turns into a romantic and vibrant setting, perfect for outdoor activities and cultural experiences. Falling leaves make landscapes especially photogenic, and one of the most typical seasonal activities is walking through parks and forests to admire the autumn colors.
In addition, many French people head out for mushroom foraging (cueillette de champignons), a much-loved culinary tradition — always paying close attention to safe and edible species, of course. Visiting fairs and seasonal food markets is also a must, with highlights such as chestnuts, pumpkins, and mushrooms. Autumn is synonymous with abundance. In French markets you’ll find roasted chestnuts, pumpkins, fresh mushrooms, autumn cheeses, and artisanal ciders. These markets are a true celebration of local gastronomy.
Photo: Photo by Hyukman Kwon: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-walking-in-the-woods-9899694/
Rennes, the capital of Brittany, is a vibrant university city with a unique blend of history and modernity. In autumn, its tree-lined streets are carpeted with golden leaves, and the cool weather invites long walks through the Parc du Thabor, one of the most beautiful gardens in France. The cafés in the historic center take on an even cozier atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a buckwheat galette paired with artisanal cider, a regional specialty. During this season, the city also hosts several cultural festivals, such as the Dinard British Film Festival and Yaouank, the largest contemporary Breton music festival, which celebrates local traditions with plenty of dancing and joy.
Photo: Patricia COSTA
Exploring the villages of Brittany in autumn is like stepping into a fairy tale. Small stone towns, with narrow streets and traditional houses, take on an even greater charm with the warm colors of the season. Destinations such as Rochefort-en-Terre, voted one of the most beautiful villages in France, Locronan, and Dinan are perfect for travelers seeking authenticity, history, and photogenic landscapes. Walking through these villages means discovering artisan workshops, local markets, and traditions that make the region one of the most enchanting places to visit in autumn.
Beyond the villages, Brittany’s magical forests are must-see stops, especially for nature lovers and fans of Celtic legends. The Forest of Brocéliande, associated with King Arthur, Merlin, and the fairies of Breton mythology, offers mysterious trails, silent lakes, and centuries-old trees that turn golden in autumn. Meanwhile, the Huelgoat Forest, in Finistère, amazes visitors with its giant rock formations, crystal-clear streams, and paths that feel straight out of mythical tales.
In restaurants, tables fill with dishes that warm both body and soul: velvety chestnut soups that echo the crackling of firewood; apple tarts with salted caramel, where sugar melts into nostalgia; and kouign-amann—that poem of butter and sugar that only Brittany knows how to recite.
Strolling through farmers’ markets, especially the iconic Marché des Lices in Rennes, becomes a fully sensory experience. Stalls burst with vivid colors, earthy aromas, and flavors that tell ancient stories—of fishermen who rise before dawn, of farmers who know the land like the palm of their hand, of families preserving recipes passed down through generations. In the air, the scents of warm cider, freshly baked bread, and ripe fruit mingle, announcing the abundance of autumn. In Brittany, eating during this season is not just an act—it is a ritual, an intimate celebration of the land, the climate, and the memory of everything that makes this region so profoundly delicious.
Photo by Polina Tankilevitch: https://www.pexels.com/photo/apples-and-crepes-5419173/
In Brittany, one of Europe’s great Celtic regions, Halloween is not just a date on the calendar — it is a living heritage, deeply rooted in myths that span centuries. Here, Halloween is taken seriously and celebrated with both respect and enthusiasm, as an essential part of Breton cultural identity.
The streets come alive with pumpkin lanterns, handcrafted decorations, and markets dressed in the warm tones of autumn. Children, dressed as witches, ghosts, and fantastic creatures inspired by Celtic folklore, go from house to house asking for sweets — a ritual that blends modern innocence with echoes of ancient traditions. In villages, regional festivals complete the atmosphere: traditional dances, storytellers, bonfires, hot cider, and old songs that seem to summon the spirit of Samain, the Celtic festival that preceded Halloween.
Celebrating Halloween in Brittany is an encounter between two worlds: the realm of childhood fantasy and the deep collective memory of a people who honor their past. It is to feel the poetry of the season, where autumn becomes a stage for legends, customs, and flavors that make this region one of the most magical places in France at this time of year
Photo by Patricia Costa
Another unmissable highlight of the Breton autumn is the Fest-Noz, a traditional dance and music celebration recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Held in Rennes, Vannes, Lorient, and in charming small villages, Fest-Noz events invite everyone—locals and travelers alike—to dance to the sound of the biniou and the bombarde. They are joyful gatherings that celebrate connection, shared happiness, and the vibrant living heritage of Brittany.
For food lovers, apple and cider festivals are true paradises. In towns such as Bruz, Quessoy, and Saint-Aubin-du-Cormier, producers showcase their harvests at lively fairs where visitors can taste artisanal ciders, apple pies, fresh juices, and preserves. Demonstrations of old wooden presses are a reminder that here, every drop of cider carries the history of Breton orchards.
Along the coast, festivals such as the Fête du Goémon celebrate maritime traditions and seaweed harvesting, an ancestral craft that shaped generations. Amid traditional boats, folk music, and seafood products, visitors discover a fascinating and still very much alive part of Breton coastal culture
Visiting Brittany’s festivals in autumn is like diving into a world where past and present exist in perfect harmony. Each celebration reveals a piece of Breton identity—warm, proud, mysterious, and deeply connected to nature.Photo : Nos fest-noz coups de cœur | Cœur de Bretagne
The study programs developed by Bienvenue à Rennes include organized trips to several of these extraordinary destinations, such as Saint-Malo, Mont-Saint-Michel, Dinan, and many more.
These excursions allow students to deepen their knowledge of Brittany’s history and culture while building strong bonds and creating unforgettable memories beyond the classroom.
Thanks to excellent transport connections from the Breton capital and numerous cycling routes, exploring the region is easy, enjoyable, and accessible. Contact us today, request a quote for your exchange program in Rennes, and see up close all the incredible places featured in this article. We also offer exclusive travel packages for groups. If traveling in a private and tailor-made way is your goal, get in touch with us—we’ll be happy to help!