Better climate, more tranquility, exceptional events… most large cities have advantages for tourism in autumn. If you are already planning your future All Saints’ Day vacation, 20 minutes offers you a selection of pleasant destinations that do not require flying.
Barcelona, to enjoy mild temperatures
Quieter and less stifling than in summer, Barcelona is ideal for combining sightseeing and enjoying the gentle nights, which remain very lively despite everything. In good weather, you can plan a short swim in the Mediterranean, the water temperature around 20-22°C, but no long days of lazing on the beach at the risk of catching a cold. The capital of Catalonia is accessible by train from Paris (direct in 6.5 hours) or in 4 hours by car for residents of Toulouse and Montpellier.
Turin, for culture lovers
A royal city backed by the Alps, Turin will delight fans of baroque architecture and those who love cities on a human scale. The historic center is easily accessible on foot and the city’s range of museums (such as the cinema or the Egyptian museum) appeal to culture buffs. If you like cream, coffee and chocolate, don’t forget to taste the bicerin coffee, the legendary drink of the ancient Italian capital. Turin can be reached in just over 5 hours from Paris and 4 hours from Lyon by train, or in three hours by car from Nice.
The Balearics or Sicily, to avoid the summer crowds
Why not aim further? By combining a few hours by train and a few hours by ferry, the Balearic Islands or Sicily will satisfy your desire for a sunny vacation in the middle of autumn, far from the summer crowds. From Toulon, the crossing to the islands of Majorca or Menorca takes place at night, in 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The average temperature during this period is 23°C (outdoors like in the sea !) and most days are sunny. The period is then perfect for enjoying the natural parks of the Balearic Islands for hiking or cycling enthusiasts.
A (long) trip allows you to reach Palermo in no less than 27 hours by train from Paris (or 24 hours from Grenoble), with changes in Milan, Naples or Rome. A great opportunity to, why not, stop and visit the towns you pass on your way, for a 100% dolce vita vacation. And if you feel like enjoying the crystal clear waters of Sicily, know that temperatures outside and in the Mediterranean also hover around 23°C in October.
London, the cosmopolitan capital
Just two hours from Paris and 1 hour 25 minutes from Lille by Eurostar, London offers a multitude of neighborhoods to discover, each very different from the other. Visit the famous Notting Hill and its Portobello road market or the eccentric Camden Town to stroll with family or friends. The east of the capital is an open-air museum, a playground for many street art artists. In October, you can also celebrate the diversity of the capital, with the Indian festival of lights “Diwali”, on October 29 in Trafalgar Square. THE ” Black History Months » is held throughout the month of October in the metropolis, with numerous events and exhibitions.
Vienna and its imperial heritage
For those who don’t mind transportation, several European capitals are accessible by several hours (and changes) by train.
The magnificent palaces and castles of Vienna are within your reach, in 9 hours 45 minutes by train from the French capital (via Zurich or Frankfurt). The Long Night of the Museums is a classic of the month of October, during which Austria’s museums and private art galleries welcome visitors from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. This year, it will take place on Saturday October 7.
Berlin, the avant-garde
Accessible in 8h30 by train from Paris or 9h50 from Strasbourg, Berlin is very pleasant to explore in autumn. Also exciting: you can spend Halloween evening at Horrornächte, a nighttime film festival which takes place every weekend from October 13 to November 4 at the Filmpark Babelsberg amusement park. THE Venus Berlin, the great international eroticism fair is also held there from October 26 to 29. The event is the occasion for a major fashion show where emerging designers present their lingerie creations.
Warsaw for small budgets
Warsaw has a dry climate in autumn. A perfect opportunity to visit the old town, its castle and taste Polish gastronomy, all at a lower cost… and if you are ready to travel around 15h30 by train from Paris!
For road trip enthusiasts, the car can also be a good way to reach Warsaw (in 13 hours from Lille or Metz), Berlin (in 10.5 hours from Paris) and Vienna (in 8 hours from Strasbourg), enjoying the landscape and the small rural villages on the road. Bring a little wool, the temperatures are cool there.
What if we stayed in France?
Autumn offers magnificent gold and purple colors in much of France. This is particularly the case in the Luberon massif, in southern Burgundy or in Haute Maurienne Vanoise, which offer a range of activities as close as possible to nature. In the Vanoise National Park, in particular, you can witness and observe the bellowing of the deer with a ranger monitor. Autumn is an ideal season for hiking in the region: the mountains are less crowded and the forest is colored red and orange.
The end of October is ideal for walks in the forest and why not, for picking mushrooms. In Orne, for example, you will find porcini mushrooms, chanterelles and chanterelles which line the paths of the Andaines forest, but beware of poisoning.