In this post we have compiled a selection of our Top 10 most beautiful photos of autumn taken in the Eastern regions of France.
Summer has now been replaced by autumn and the trees have put on a fabulous colour display with yellows fading to reds. Under the beautiful blue sky of an Indian summer or on a misty morning, the colours of autumn sometimes do not look as good in a photograph as they really do to the eye.
The magnificent display of tree leaf colour change is common to the northern latitudes of Europe and North America and takes place through most of October and November.
1. Strasbourg (Alsace)
This is a beautiful spot in autumn, not far from the Petite France district on the banks of River Ill with a fine view over the Cathedral of Strasbourg.
Read more about Strasbourg.
2. A walk in the forest near Altkirch (Alsace)
To the South of Alsace lies a rural land with its own distinctive geographic character: the Sundgau. The hilly region is covered with pine, beech and oak woods, orchards, pastures, fields and ponds filled with carp, dotted with a multitude of wealthy villages. In autumn the forest takes on a flamboyant yellow-orangey colour.
Read more about the Sundgau.
3. Lyon (Rhône-Alpes)
The slope of Fourvière Hill rises from the Vieux-Lyon to reach the 19th century basilica. The view from the top is worth the effort. You can have an overview of the Vieux-Lyon district, especially of Lyon Cathedral, up to the Saône banks and the iconic “Crayon” aka Le Crédit Lyonnais Tower.
Read more about Lyon.
4. The Wine Route (Alsace)
The Alsace Wine Route criss-crosses through the Alsatian vineyards from north to south. This beautiful tourist route, featuring charming villages and countryside, is glorious at autumn under a blue sky! Here above is a photo taken in the vicinity of Colmar with a view over the vineyards and in the distance the fortified Haut-Kœnigsbourg Castle.
Read more about the Alsace Wine Route.
5. Place Stanislas in Nancy (Lorraine)
If you’re looking for an elegant and classic French location then you need to discover Nancy which has an exceptional architectural ensemble from the 18th century which includes three beautiful squares, including the famous Place Stanislas. The classical square with rococo touches has the particularity to stay elegant in all seasons, especially in autumn!
Read more about Nancy.
6. Besançon (France-Comté)
It would be quite hard to believe that we took this picture from the city-centre of Besançon. The old town is built on a large curve of the Doubs river and is surrounded by high steep hills on which have been built citadels and forts.
7. Landskron Castle (Alsace-Switzerland)
The castle of Landskron was built in the Middle-Ages at the borders of the Habsburg territories in Alsace and the land of the Bishop of Basle. Today, it stands between France and Switzerland. The view from the keep overlooks the hills of the Sundgau and here in this picture the rolling pastures of Switzerland.
Read more about the Sundgau.
8. Duingt (Savoy)
The Duingt castle is a fairy-tale castle built by Lake Annecy. It is known as Château de Ruphy. Cézanne painted the castle in one of his famous paintings.
Read more about the Lake Annecy.
9. Tarentaise (Savoy)
This is the village of Granier in the Tarentaise Valley. The French Alps are another beautiful region to explore in Autumn!
Read more about the Tarentaise Valley.
10. La Plagne (Tarentaise Valley)
The Winter resort of La Plagne is deserted in Autumn… which makes it even more attractive if you’re looking for peace and quiet, away from the big towns! The breathtaking panoramas of the Vanoise massif are unforgettable!
Find out more about La Plagne in Autumn.
English-French Vocabulary
The vineyards of Sigolsheim (Alsace). At the foot of the undulating hills covered by vineyards, the wine-growing village of Sigolsheim is located near the popular village of Kaysersberg. Behind it, lies Ammerschwihr, another village that was heavily destroyed by the Allied bombs but completely reconstructed.
Read more about the Alsace Wine Route.
(f) for féminin, (m) for masculin, (adj) for adjective and (v) for verbs
- autumn = automne (m)
- bank = rive (f)
- castle = château (m)
- city = ville (f)
- colour = couleur (f)
- countryside = campagne (f)
- fall = automne (m)
- forest = forêt (f)
- fountain = fontaine (f)
- hill = colline (f)
- Indian summer = été indien (m)
- lake = lac (m)
- latitude = latitude (f)
- leaf = feuille (f)
- November = novembre (m)
- October = octobre (m)
- river = rivière (f)
- sky = ciel (m)
- summer = été (m)
- Switzerland = Suisse (f)
- tree = arbre (m)
- village = village (m)
- vineyard = vignoble (m)
- winter = hiver (m)
- wood = bois (m)
