September is the month of choice for all those who don’t have to take their summer holidays in July/August and who can (and prefer to) go away for longer, thanks to cheaper rates, while enjoying the less-frequented tourist sites and the peace and quiet of holiday villages, without waiting for the All Saints’ holiday. France offers a wide range of attractive holiday destinations for a stay in a gîte in September. Each département has its own unique charm and special attractions. Here’s an overview of the best regions to explore:
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur :
The south-east of France is particularly alluring in September. The after-season colours in Provence are magnificent, offering breathtaking scenery. The Côte d’Azur, with its deep blue skies and less crowded beaches, is more charming than ever. Towns like Nice, Cannes and Cap Ferret reveal all their beauty. The Camargue, meanwhile, is decked out in incredible colours, creating a unique natural spectacle. For your holidays, we recommend several houses (mas provençaux, gîtes, maisonnettes, holiday rentals, etc.) and guest rooms in our Villages de Gîtes.
Occitanie :
The Occitanie region includes several departments that are well worth a visit in September. Occitanie offers a variety of landscapes, from mountains to Mediterranean beaches. Departments such as Ariège, Aude, Aveyron, Gard, Gers, Haute-Garonne, Hautes-Pyrénées, Hérault, Lot, Lozère, Pyrénées-Orientales, Tarn and Tarn-et-Garonne each offer unique experiences.
Gard :
The Gard, located in the Occitanie region, is a department that lends itself wonderfully to a visit in September, a month when the temperatures are ideal. The city of Nîmes, nicknamed the “French Rome”, offers a rich heritage with its famous arenas and the Maison Carrée. The Pont du Gard, a must-see in south-east France, is also well worth a visit.
Languedoc-Mediterranean:
The south-east of France is ideal for a stay or holiday in September. The area is characterised by its varied landscapes, ranging from the mountains of the Pyrenees and Cévennes to the vast wine-growing plains and 220km of Mediterranean coastline. It also boasts a number of nature parks and starry sky reserves, offering unspoilt natural spaces. Toulouse is the region’s capital, and is a dynamic and historic city. The region is also known for its rich culture, festivals and gastronomic specialities, notably the wines of the Languedoc. The Canal du Midi offers superb opportunities for walking, cycling and even horse-riding. The medieval city of Carcassonne, Nîmes and the Pont du Gard are also major attractions.
Luberon :
The Luberon, located in Provence, is best visited in September. The Luberon offers picturesque landscapes and charming villages, perfect for a peaceful, authentic holiday. The picturesque villages of Gordes and Les Bories, the Fontaine-de-Vaucluse chasm, the ochre landscapes of Roussillon and Rustrel, the Senanque abbey and the Régalon gorges are just some of the places to visit during your stay in the Luberon. Our selection of gites with swimming pool in the Luberon will help you find your holiday rental for September!
Drôme provençale :
Drôme provençale, located between the Alps and Provence, is an attractive destination in September. It offers a unique blend of mountain scenery and Provençal charm. The hilltop villages of Poët-Laval and La Garde-Adhémar offer medieval charm and stunning views. The Drôme Provençale offers extraordinary walks in the Parc Naturel des Baronnies Provençales and the Gorges d’Ubrieux. With cooler weather and quieter villages than in summer, Drôme provençale is an excellent choice for a September holiday.
Auvergne Rhône-Alpes :
Auvergne offers a wide variety of landscapes and activities in September. The departments of Ain, Ardèche, Drôme, Isère, Loire, Rhône, Savoie and Haute-Savoie are particularly attractive for nature lovers and outdoor sports enthusiasts. In the Puy de Dôme, the Sancy massif and the ancient volcanoes of the Auvergne are ideal for hiking. Lovers of nature and beautiful landscapes will find this an ideal holiday destination for September.
Ardèche :
The Ardèche, located in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region, is an ideal place for nature lovers. Its spectacular gorges and picturesque villages make it an ideal place to stay in September. In September, after the summer crowds, you can enjoy the tranquillity of the Ardèche gorges and sites such as Vallon Pont-d’Arc, and visit the Chauvet 2 cave museum, Aven d’Orgnac, and the caves of Saint-Marcel, Madeleine and Cocalière. The villages of Balazuc, Vogüe, Ruoms, Joyeuse, Montréal, Aubenas, Privas, Saint-Alban d’Auriolles, Largentière, …
Dordogne – Périgord :
The Dordogne, also known as the Périgord, is ideal for discovering France on holiday in September. It offers a rich historical heritage, lush green landscapes and renowned gastronomy. There are many sites and villages to visit around Sarlat: Beynac-et-Cazenac, La Roque-Gageac, Domme, Monpazier, etc.
Brittany :
Brittany in September is a marvel with its contrasting landscapes between land and sea. Its wild beaches and local traditions offer an authentic and friendly experience. In the Côtes d’Armor, gites are ideal for a stay in September, with coastal paths less busy than in summer. Holiday rentals are available in the Cap Fréhel region with Erquy and Pléneuf Val-André, where it’s great to stay in September to enjoy the beach, seaside resort and tourist sites. On the Côte de Granit Rose, around Perros-Guirec, gîtes with swimming pool are located in Pleumeur-Bodou.
Normandy:
Normandy offers picture-postcard scenery in September. This region rich in history and culture offers remarkable natural sites and a fascinating historical heritage.
Aquitaine:
Aquitaine, comprising the Dordogne, Gironde, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne and Pyrénées-Atlantiques, is a diverse and attractive region in September.
Lot :
The Lot, located in the Occitanie region, is an ideal destination for those seeking authenticity and tranquillity in September. The Lot and the Lot et Garonne offer magnificent villages and landscapes to discover during your stay in a gîte in September.
Aveyron :
Aveyron, also in Occitanie, offers varied landscapes and a rich cultural heritage, perfect for a September break. The villages of Aveyron are often ranked among the most beautiful in France: Conques, Sainte-Eulalie d’Olt, etc. are all within easy reach during your stay in September.
Loire Valley:
The Loire Valley, famous for its châteaux, is an ideal place to spend a few days holiday in France in September. The region offers a unique blend of history, culture and gastronomy. In September, discover the châteaux of the Loire (Chambord, Chenonceau, etc.), Sologne and its forest walks, and Touraine and its bucolic landscapes.
Poitou-Charentes and Deux-Sèvres:
Rich in natural and historical heritage, and somewhat off the beaten track, Poitou-Charentes and Deux-Sèvres offer a mild climate in September, ideal for exploring their picturesque villages and varied landscapes.
Creuse :
Creuse, in the Limousin region, is a peaceful, leafy department, perfect for a nature break in September.
Sud-Ouest :
The south-west of France, including Aquitaine and Midi-Pyrénées, offers a wide variety of landscapes and experiences in September. Aquitaine, Lot-et-Garonne, Gascony, the Basque Country, the Gers, the Landes,… welcome you to comfortable gîtes with undeniable charm for your holidays in September.
The Basque Country :
The Basque Country, with its unique culture and landscapes between sea and mountains, is an ideal destination for holidays in September. Biarritz, in particular, is a place not to be missed on your next holiday. The Villages de Gîtes welcome you.
Vendée :
The Vendée, located in the Pays de la Loire region, offers a mix of beaches, forests and historic sites, ideal for a varied stay in September. Although most of the tourist accommodation in the Vendée is made up of campsites, there are some quality establishments on a human scale: the Villages de Gîtes, which are ideal for holidays.
Burgundy:
Burgundy is not to be missed in September, when the grape harvest takes place. The autumn-coloured vineyards offer breathtaking scenery and memorable wine tastings. Gîtes and chambres d’hôtes in Burgundy are plentiful, so find those whose quality is certified by the Village de Gîtes label.
Alsace :
Alsace, with its picturesque villages, rolling green landscapes, excellent wines, generous gastronomy and quirky culture, is an excellent choice for a September holiday. Alsace offers a rich culture, unique gastronomy and varied landscapes, but above all a warm welcome from hosts who love their region and will help you discover and appreciate it to the full. There are a number of gîtes and chambres d’hôtes in Alsace, which you can find under the “Village de Gîtes” label.