🍂 Normandy in October: Mists, Markets & Mushroom Hunts

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First published: November 2025

Planning a holiday to Normandy in October? Wondering what’s on in La Manche this month, or what to do in Normandy in October? You’re in for a colourful, cosy, and deeply local experience. October brings a slower pace, misty mornings, comfort food, and some of the most spectacular countryside of the year. Here’s your full local guide to what’s happening in Normandy in October – and why it’s one of our favourite months.

🍁 Autumn Colours at Their Peak

By October, the trees across Normandy are showing off. From the bocage hedgerows near Coutances to the forests around Saint-Sever, it’s a riot of orange, amber and deep red. Even a simple drive becomes a scenic journey. Parks like Jardin des Plantes in Coutances or the forest paths near Cerisy offer magical autumn strolls beneath the crunch of fallen leaves. Pack a camera — the light this time of year is soft, golden and perfect for photos.

🌫️ Misty Mornings & Cosy Evenings

The weather in October can shift from sunny afternoons to misty mornings and starlit nights. It’s ideal for snuggling up with a book by the fire, or sipping hot cider after a walk. Expect daytime highs between 12–18°C and chilly evenings – perfect gîte weather. The sun rises just before 8:30am and sets around 7:15pm, so days are still long enough for exploring. Local bakeries begin offering more seasonal treats too: think spiced apple tarts, nutty cakes and comforting pastries to go with your coffee.

🍄 Mushroom Foraging & Woodland Walks

This is peak mushroom season in Normandy. Forests near Gavray, Cerisy and Hambye attract foragers in search of cèpes (porcini), chanterelles, and trompettes de la mort. If you’re unsure what you’ve found, pharmacies in France often offer mushroom identification — and it’s a good idea to brush up on the rules of safe foraging. The ONF (Office National des Forêts) offers clear guidelines on what, where and how you can legally and respectfully harvest wild mushrooms. Read the official advice here.

Even if you're just walking, October is a magical time to explore Normandy’s woodlands. Cerisy Forest, in particular, offers misty trails lined with mossy stones and crisp leaves — perfect for a Sunday ramble.

🎃 Pumpkins, Gourds & Harvest Displays

Farm shops and village markets start bursting with colourful squashes, pumpkins and harvest displays. Markets like those in Coutances (Thursdays) and Gavray (Saturdays) sell local produce perfect for hearty autumn meals. Roast squash with Normandy cheese? Yes please. Look out for pumpkin festivals, especially in the Calvados region where they go all-in on decorating towns with gourds of all shapes and sizes.

🦪 Scallop Season Begins

October marks the start of scallop season in Normandy, and it’s serious business here. Normandy is France’s top scallop-producing region, and coastal towns celebrate with weekend-long seafood festivals running from October to early December. Look out for La Fête de la Coquille Saint-Jacques in Port-en-Bessin, Villers-sur-Mer, Granville and Ouistreham. Expect stalls, tastings, cooking demos, and mounds of fresh coquilles served every way imaginable.

🍷 Wine Season Sales – Foire aux Vins

October is the month of the Foire aux Vins – a nationwide supermarket wine fair that Normandy fully embraces. Whether you’re looking for a few everyday bottles or hunting for grands crus at bargain prices, the shelves of Carrefour, Leclerc and Intermarché will be overflowing with deals. It’s an excellent time to stock up for winter — and many shops offer staff recommendations or tasting notes to help you choose.

🎡 Foire Saint-Luc in Gavray

This annual October fair is a local favourite — and it’s been running for centuries. Gavray’s Foire Saint-Luc is one of the biggest rural fairs in La Manche. Expect everything from cattle shows and artisan stalls to fairground rides and local food. It’s a day out that mixes farming heritage with fun — and one of the best ways to feel part of Normandy’s seasonal rhythm.

🎪 What’s On in Normandy in October?

Wondering what’s on in La Manche in October? It’s a month of harvest celebrations, food fairs, vide-greniers and autumn markets. Expect apple festivals, mushroom events, and the start of indoor concerts and exhibitions. Local towns like Coutances, Saint-Lô, and Granville all host cultural events in October. What’s happening near Coutances this October? Ask at the tourist office or check our updated guide for this month’s highlights.

Our What’s On page is updated monthly with a full list of events, fairs and seasonal activities happening close to the gîte.

🍏 Cider Time!

While the harvest begins in September, October is cider tasting time. Producers in the Cotentin and around Granville begin bottling the season’s new batches. Visit a local cidrerie for a tasting tour — and don’t miss the pommeau, a blend of cider and Calvados apple brandy. La Manche has two protected designations of origin for its cider: PGI Cidre de Normandie and PDO Cidre Cotentin. Find out more in our Cider Tasting blog.

🚶‍♀️ Perfect Walking Weather

The heat of summer is gone, but October offers cool, clear days made for walking. Whether it’s a beach stroll at Hauteville-sur-Mer or a trail along the Sienne River, the crisp air and rustling leaves make every outing a joy. The Voies Vertes near Coutances remain open and peaceful, and you’ll often have paths to yourself.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Quieter Family Outings

With the school holidays only hitting at the end of the month, many attractions remain peaceful and queue-free. Zoos like Champrépus, indoor swimming pools and small museums stay open, offering great family days out. There are also spooky story sessions and autumn craft workshops hosted in libraries and community halls — ask Sam & Lee for local listings!

📍 Day Trip Ideas

• 🏰 Bayeux’s tapestry is even more atmospheric in the autumn light
• 🌊 Granville’s seafood market comes alive during scallop season
• 🌲 Cerisy Forest for a magical mushroom walk
• 🍁 Abbaye d’Hambye surrounded by autumn foliage
• 🎨 Visit the Christian Dior Museum before it closes for winter

🌟 Final Thoughts: Why Visit Normandy in October?

October in Normandy offers a rich, authentic taste of the region. With fewer tourists, lower prices, stunning autumn colour and some of the best food of the year, it’s ideal for couples, families, or solo travellers looking to slow down. Whether you’re foraging in the forest, browsing a village market, or simply breathing in the misty morning air — October delivers the magic of Normandy with depth and heart.

So if you’re wondering what to do in Normandy in October, or what’s happening near Coutances this month – it’s the perfect time to visit.

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