Here are five French locations that bask in gorgeous autumnal glow. From Nice with its extended summers to Limoux with its Fall foliage and grape-picking, discover the perfect one for you.
Buying a home in France is a big deal. You might be intending to live there full-time and want to love the location whatever the season. Or, you might be looking to buy a second home, and don’t want to only make use of it during the summer. So, we’ve picked some great spots with major plus points in autumn.
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1. Nice
September sun in Nice.
Nice has long had a reputation as the perfect summer getaway for British people. Even Queen Victoria was fond of it. From James Baldwin to Sean Connery to Elton John, it has attracted a glamorous and fabulous crowd. But perhaps a lesser-known detail about Nice is just how beautiful it is after August.
Located on the southeast Mediterranean coast, Nice benefits from long-lasting sun and warmth. It has 2,500 hours of sunshine a year, which is 500 more than Toulouse and a 1,000 more than the UK.
In September, there are highs of 25°C and up to twelve hours of sunshine a day. Come October, the rain picks up a bit, with at least eight rainy days expected across the month. The temperature ranges from 14°C – 21°C. So, not scorching, but still pleasant. You can wear lighter clothing in the daytime but might want a jumper for the evenings. And best of all, the sea temperature is 20 degrees, so still warm enough for a swim!
Plus, as it is not peak season, you’ll be able to enjoy Nice without the crowds. If you are thinking of renting out a property in Nice, you could rent out to holidaymakers during July and August. Then, in September, you could stay in the property yourself, making the most of the autumnal sun and the calmer atmosphere.
Aside from the sea, there’s plenty else to love about Nice. The Old Town is so treasured that it has been recognised as a UNSECO World Heritage site. It is the perfect place to enjoy a sip of tea and a bite to eat in a café and mill around quaint shops. In addition, there are lovely nearby villages to explore, such as the hilltop village of Eze and St. Paul de Vence, one of the oldest Medieval villages along the French Rivera.
Given Nice’s reputation for attracting the rich and glamorous, property can be pricey. For a small apartment, you will need a budget of at least €200,000. And when it comes to luxury property, the sky is truly the limit.
One-bedroom, €248,000
Click on the image to see more of this one-bed in Nice.
This one-bedroom apartment is located on the top floor of a gorgeous Niçois building from the 1870s. It is minutes from Nice’s celebrated marina. Plus, the bus, tram and airport are close by.
Four-bedroom, €1,490,000
A beautiful home for a family.
Built in 2017, this superb contemporary villa would suit a family looking to move to or holiday (whatever the season) in Nice. It boasts of four-bedrooms, a large living room with a fireplace, a fitted kitchen, a games room, an outdoor kitchen, a big terrace, and a swimming pool. The property is located in a quiet, green residential area.
To see more properties for sale in Nice, click here.
2. Brittany
Audierne, Brittany in September.
Rugged coastline, characterful towns, wonderful woodland – Brittany is an attractive year-round coastline. Brittany is France’s northwesternmost region, a peninsula that juts out to the Atlantic Ocean.
Similarly to the UK, September can enjoy a dash of late summer warmth, with temperatures reaching the early twenties. The sea temperature is about 17°C. While October sees highs of 17°C and a drop to 10°C at night. There are about thirteen days of rainfall. But pop your wetsuit on and you can make the most of Brittany’s wild waves. Some spots in Brittany are exposed to the full potency of the Atlantic Ocean, while you can head to a sheltered cove for a slightly gentler surf. Le Sillon, Sant Malio is a popular choice for an autumn surf, it suits beginners and those that are more advanced. While Perros-Guirec is best for those that are more experienced. And the best time to hit the waves in La Mauvaise Grève is, at it happens, October.
Aside from surfing, Brittany’s coast lends itself to other activities too. For example, the picturesque Pink Granite Coast, called as such for the colour of the rocks, would make a romantic location for a date. It is home to one of the largest colonies of seabirds, especially puffins!
Then, you can get lost in Arthurian legends in the Forest of Brocéliande, the largest forest in Brittany. It has a really special, dare we say enchanted feel – perfect for taking kids around and seeing their imaginations light up. Other great forests include: Huelgoat forest with its legendary Trembling Rock and the Mushroom Rock; Rennes forest, which is just outside Brittany’s capital city; and Carnoët forest, with its views of Laïta river.
Fortunately, there are some really affordable property options in Brittany. You can find a lovely old country cottage for as little as €100,000.
Two-bedroom, €162,500
Your very own longère.
This two-bedroom longère has been lovingly renovated and would make a very comfortable home. It has a half-acre garden with an outside dining area and BBQ. There’s a small village in walking distance or the small town of Callac is a seven-minute drive away.
Three-bedroom, €354,995
Look at those original features!
This three-bedroom stone house has been given a fresh lease of life while maintaining original features. It is just five minutes away from the shops. Plus, it is just twenty minutes to the stunning Crozon Peninsular.
To see more of our properties in Brittany, click here.
3. Landes
Uncover the loveliness of Landes.
Landes is in the department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine in southwestern France. It is an amazing location with long beaches, large pine forests and spa towns. Landes benefits from 2,000 hours of sunshine a year. In September, it sees temperatures in the mid-twenties. Although a little rainier, October enjoys highs 21 degrees. However, being by the Atlantic Ocean, it can be quite windy! But this does make for excellent surfing opportunities, head to Hossegor for some of the best surf resorts. Landes’ star beach is the Côte d’Argent, a stretch of fine white sand, sporadically populated by dogwalkers and joggers, it has an endless feel to it.
Plus, Landes is home to the largest pine forest in Europe, Landes de Gascogne forest. It is the perfect place for cycling or walk in autumn’s glow. It is home to Doucs de Cazalis, huge sand dunes that tower over the trees. There’s also Lagunes du Gât Mort, a nature reserve. And for those that like to spy something a little different on their walks, there’s the Contemporary Art Forest, with art installations immersed within the forest.
And for when you’re less in the mood for walking and more in relaxation mode, Landes’s spa towns are perfect. Eugenie-les-Bains boasts of thermal springs, with therapeutic properties. You’ll also have a choice of massages, facials, and mud baths.
Three-bedroom, €500,000
Your new wooden terrace.
This tastefully renovated three-bedroom house benefits from 2.6 hectares of land. Special features include: a large, heated swimming pool, a fireplace and wooden terrace.
Six-bedroom, €950,000
This 17th century house is something to behold.
This is an impressive 17th century house with terracotta tiles and beautiful fireplaces. It is just ten minutes from the historic town of Saint Sever.
See more properties for sale in Landes here.
4. Limoux
Limoux in autumn.
Some people don’t want an autumn that feels like an extended summer, for some, the joy of autumn is the change in atmosphere. And in Limoux, a gorgeous town in the Occitane region in southern France, autumn is an important time of year. Autumn is the grape harvest season! The town is famous for being the birthplace of Blanquette de Limoux. This a sparkling wine, which predates champagne. It dates back to the 16th century and is mostly made from the Mauzac grape. So, if you want to see grape-picking in action, go on vineyard tours and tastings, Limoux in autumn is the place to be.
Limoux is made up of rolling hills and vineyards. In autumn, the leaves turn beautiful shades of yellow, orange and gold and fall to the ground. Ideal for photo-taking.
Weather wise, Limoux sees highs of 19 degrees in October.
Additionally, Limoux has a lovely historic centre, Place de la Republique, which is made up of 15th century buildings, cafes, small shops and the grand Church of Saint Martin.
Three-bedroom, €190,000
An affordable country house.
This is a recently built three-bedroom detached house with a large garden and country views. It could do with a little work but has heaps of potential. It sits on the edge of a village near Limoux.
Three-bedroom, €259,000
Click to see more of this pretty historic house.
This is a prettily decorated historic house with an interior courtyard, high ceilings, and central heating. It is centrally located in town, so you won’t have to walk far to get what you need.
5. Normandy
Normandy in autumn.
Autumn is a fantastic time to appreciate all that makes Normandy without the crowds upon crowds of tourists. History buffs can do their tours of the D-Day landing beaches and museums, the Bayeux tapestry, and the Joan of Arc Historical Museum to their heart’s content. And the Mont-Saint-Michel looks particularly spectacular in the autumn light.
Meanwhile, the beaches are less busy, the air is crisp, and the fish is fresh, so you can make the most of being right by the sea. From fat-biking on Omaha beach to surfing in Siouville to kayaking, there are plenty of outdoor activities to do that are not dependent on sunshine. Plus, October is the time of the “Transat Jacques Vabre Normandie-Le Havre”, the longest double-handed transatlantic race.
If you love Normandy for its culinary deliciousness, then you will love it even more in autumn. Amongst the gorgeous golden browns of autumn, you’ll be able to witness the apple harvest season between September and November. Many of the villages host festivals dedicated to calvados, cheese and apples.
Temperature wise, September in Normandy sees highs of 21°C, 10 rainy days, 6 hours of sunshine and sea temperatures of 16 degrees. October sees an increase of rain and highs of 17 degrees.
Three-bedroom, €97,000
A country cottage.
This is a lovely country cottage with original features like a granite fireplace and wooden beams. It is in a rural location but close to popular market towns.
Four-bedroom, €349,800
Have a nosy of this stunning home.
This is a light and spacious four-bedroom house with a two-acre garden. There is a veranda on one side of the house, which makes the perfect sun trap. It is 8km from the vibrant town of Bagnoles-de-l’Orne.
See more properties for sale in Normandy here.
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