Top Wine Harvest Festivals in France: Your Guide to Enotourism Experiences and Where to Stay
Plan a harvest-season escape across France with the best vendange festivals, where to stay in winery hotels, and insider tips for traveling between regions.
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From late August through early October, France's regions buzz with vendange celebrations. Vineyards open their doors, villages host parades, and winery hotels bundle tastings with seasonal menus. It's the easiest time to combine culture, food, and wine education in one trip.
Key Takeaways
Harvest dates shift by region—confirm before booking flights.
Reserve winery hotels and driver services early; weekends sell out first.
Pair big-name regions (Bordeaux, Burgundy) with a lesser-known area for better value.
Many events are family-friendly—check for grape-stomping, markets, and live music.
Top Harvest Festivals to Experience
Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre (Paris)
A city vineyard party in October with parades, charity auctions, and tastings around the Clos Montmartre. Perfect if you want wine culture without leaving Paris—and hotel options are plentiful.
On the Mediterranean, Banyuls celebrates fortified wines with beachside banquets, boat races, and hands-on harvesting. Stay near the coast for seafood pairings and golden sunsets.
Nearby stay from our collection: Domaine Riberach in Languedoc-Roussillon, offering design-forward rooms, a cellar, and easy drives to Banyuls.
Hospices de Beaune Wine Auction (Burgundy)
Each November, the world's most famous charity wine auction anchors a weekend of cellar visits and gourmet markets. Book a chambre d'hôte or château stay to immerse yourself in Burgundy's storied terroir.
Fête des Vendanges de Chablis (Burgundy)
Late September brings guided walks through Chardonnay vineyards, blind tastings, and cellar tours. It's ideal if you want a deep dive into cool-climate white wines.
Fête des Vendanges de Saint-Émilion (Bordeaux)
A UNESCO-listed village stages medieval parades, open vineyards, and grand cru tastings every September. Split your stay between a village hotel and a nearby château for countryside calm.
Book early: harvest weekends sell out; midweek often means quieter cellars and better rates.
Choose a base with transport: trains to Burgundy and Bordeaux are frequent; rent a car for Chablis or coastal Banyuls.
Stay at winery hotels or nearby châteaux to secure tasting slots and local guidance.
Pack for vineyards: comfortable shoes, layers for cool mornings, and a reusable wine tote for market finds.
3-Day Harvest Itinerary Idea
Day 1
Arrive, check into a winery hotel, join a late-afternoon tasting, and enjoy a seasonal dinner menu.
Day 2
Morning vineyard walk, harvest activity or cellar tour, followed by a long lunch and a second tasting focused on a different appellation.
Day 3
Shop local markets, pick up bottles to ship home, and finish with a relaxed lunch before your train or flight.
Quick Answers
When should I go?
Expect late August–early October for most harvests; the Hospices de Beaune auction runs in November.
Is it friendly for non-French speakers?
Yes. Larger festivals offer English-friendly tours and signage. Winery hotels are used to international guests.
Can families enjoy harvest season?
Many events include food stalls, music, and grape-stomping—ask which tastings welcome kids and designate a driver or shuttle.
Raise a Glass
France's vendange festivals blend heritage, hospitality, and exceptional wine. Plan ahead, stay close to the vines, and mix marquee regions with hidden gems for a harvest trip you'll want to repeat every year.
Top Wine Harvest Festivals in France: Your Guide to Enotourism Experiences and Where to Stay
Alex Osso
