France’s Apple and Cider Festivities in October 2025

As autumn hues paint the French countryside, October ushers in a delightful season of apple and cider celebrations, particularly in the historically rich regions of Normandy and Brittany. These “gastronomic journeys” invite visitors to immerse themselves in vibrant local traditions, showcasing the bountiful apple harvest and the art of cider making, as highlighted in recent research reports on France’s autumn festivities.

Normandy, with its sprawling apple orchards, becomes a hub of activity. Numerous festivals celebrate the apple, a fruit that has shaped the region’s landscape and culinary identity for centuries. A key highlight is the Fête de la Pomme, du Cidre et du Fromage in Conches-en-Ouche, scheduled for October 12–13, 2025. Here, local producers proudly display their apples, ciders, and cheeses. Visitors can witness fascinating traditional cider pressing demonstrations, where apples are transformed into juice before fermentation, and engage in ample cider tastings of various types, including Calvados (apple brandy) and Pommeau (an apple aperitif). The bustling farmers’ markets associated with these events are treasure troves of apple products, from freshly baked apple pies and tarts to artisanal jams and apple sauce. Other notable Norman festivals in October 2025 include the Criel-sur-Mer Apple Festival on October 5, the Auppergard and Lyons-la-Forêt Apple Festivals from October 11–12, and the Fête de la Pomme in Vimoutiers on October 20, which features concerts, a funfair, and agricultural competitions. The Fête de la Pomme in Ducey-Les Chéris on October 27, set in charming château gardens, adds to the region’s autumnal allure with artisan stalls and apple-themed art.

Across the water, Brittany, another region with a profound cider-making heritage, also comes alive with autumnal celebrations. Villages like Locronan and Dol de Bretagne host annual cider festivals, offering similar engaging experiences. These events provide opportunities to observe cider pressing demonstrations unique to Brittany’s traditions and delve into the regional production process. Cider tastings are abundant, allowing visitors to sample Breton ciders, often characterized as slightly sweeter and lighter, including the famous PDO Cornouaille cider. The Fête de la Pomme in Fouesnant, typically held at the end of October at the heritage orchard of Penfoulig, is another charming event for apple enthusiasts.

Beyond the culinary delights, these festivals are deeply cultural. Folk music and traditional dances are common features, adding a lively atmosphere to the festivities. The Conches-en-Ouche festival includes music, dancing, and even a vintage cider-press parade, while the Vimoutiers Apple Festival often features live performances and a grand parade with dancers and musicians. Importantly, these events are designed as family-friendly events in rural settings. Children can enjoy apple-picking, participate in pressing apples into juice, engage in apple-based crafts, and partake in apple-themed games. These festivals offer an authentic rural experience, celebrating not just the harvest but also the communal spirit and the centuries-old craft of cider making, deeply rooted in the picturesque French countryside.

Whether you’re exploring the “Cider Route” in Normandy’s Pays d’Auge or delving into Brittany’s cider heritage, these October festivities provide a crunchy, sweet, and spirited celebration of France’s apple bounty. They offer a unique opportunity to taste, learn, and dance your way through a cherished aspect of French agricultural and culinary tradition.