October 2025, Guide to the Tarn Region

Whispers of Autumn: Fall in the Tarn

October in the Tarn is a celebration in motion. The air is crisp with autumn, vineyards glow amber, and medieval villages hum with festivals, feasts, and a few ghostly surprises. For guests at Les Manibelles, it’s the perfect time to lean into the season’s charm and let every week bring a new adventure. Here’s your short, snappy guide to October 2025:

Week 1: Music, Circus & Stories

• Festival Un Bol d’Airs (Oct 3–4, Puygouzon): Two nights of live pop, rock, and folk under the stars. Bring your dancing shoes.
• Bredda Circus (Oct 3–5, Castelnau-de-Montmiral): Jugglers, acrobats, and clowning in the open air. Free, fun, and family-friendly.
• Contes en Balade (Finale Oct 12) :Storytelling magic across the Tarn, closing with a forest walk full of legends.

Week 2: Films, Books & Retro Vibes

• Gaillac Youth Book Fair (Oct 4): Authors, illustrators, and stories for little (and big) dreamers.
• Sémalens Retro Day (Oct 5): Classic cars, pin-up contests, and rockabilly rhythms.
• Gaillac European Cinema Festival (Oct 10–12): Subtitled screenings of the best European films.
• Échos d’Ici Documentary Festival (Oct 10–11, Labastide-Rouairoux): Global stories on screen in a charming mountain village.
• Gloose Festival (Oct 10–12, Albi): Three days of board games, cosplay, and digital play.

Week 3: Harvest, Wine & Art

• “Prairies Animées” (Musée Dom Robert, Sorèze): Whimsical tapestries celebrating nature.
• Vignobles en Scène (Oct 17–19, Gaillac): Winery open houses, tastings, vineyard walks, and the legendary gourmet hike.

Week 4: Chestnuts, Markets & Halloween

• Fête de la Châtaigne (Oct 26, Laguépie): Roasting chestnuts, apple cider, hikes, music, and feasts. Pure autumn joy.
• Halloween in Tarn (Oct 25 & 31): Haunted castle dungeons in Penne, spooky museum murder mystery in Gaillac, and candlelit ghost tours of Albi.

Autumn Adventures Beyond the Festivals

• Hike the Grésigne Forest: Golden oaks, deer calls, and secret picnic spots.
• Bike the Vineyards: Easy e-bike rides through Gaillac wine country, with plenty of stops for tastings.
• Kayak the Aveyron: Gentle waters, limestone cliffs, and herons overhead.
• Sidobre Rock Trails: Explore otherworldly granite formations, then cross Mazamet’s suspension bridge.

Taste of Tarn

• Le Bruit en Cuisine (Albi): Chestnut soup & chocolate fondant that melts hearts.
• La Table du Sommelier (Gaillac): 50+ wines by the glass—perfect with wild mushroom ravioli.
• Petit Café (Cordes-sur-Ciel): A light lunch with dreamy medieval views.
• Sunday Market at Saint-Antonin: Fill your basket with figs, cheeses, and warm bread, then settle into Café de la Halle for people-watching.

Insider Tip

October is harvest season. Even outside festival dates, many domaines open their doors for tastings and strolls among the vines. Ask Carl & David for their personal introductions, you’ll meet winemakers you won’t find on Google.

October in a Nutshell

From circus laughter to chestnut feasts, ghost stories to vineyard sunsets, October in the Tarn is playful, soulful, and utterly unforgettable. At Les Manibelles, you’re perfectly placed to enjoy it all. The only hard part? Deciding which adventure to choose first.

Ready to plan your October escape? Reserve your stay at Les Manibelles and let Carl & David craft the perfect autumn journey for you.

2025-Confirmed Picks and Official Links

• Festival Un Bol d’Airs (Puygouzon, Oct 3–4)
  • Official listing: Tarn Tourisme
  • Press coverage and dates: Actu Occitanie
• Festival du Livre (Gaillac, Oct 4–5)
  • City agenda page: Gaillac
• Échos d’ici, échos d’ailleurs – Festival du film documentaire (Labastide‑Rouairoux, Oct 10–12)
  • 2025 dates confirmed via La Dépêche
  • Festival site (2025 section and info): Échos du Doc

Reliable Hubs for Weekly Agendas and Late‑Posted Updates

• Tarn department official agenda: Tarn Tourisme
• Albi events and October highlights: Albi Tourisme
• Gaillac area overview and wine info: La Toscane Occitane

Outdoor and Sights With Official Info

• Sidobre rock trails: Tarn Tourisme
• Passerelle de Mazamet: Tarn Tourisme
• Balades et randonnées (including Grésigne ideas): Tarn Tourisme

Wine Country Resources

• Gaillac wine region overview and tastings
• Gaillac vineyards background

Markets and Day Trips

Saint‑Antonin‑Noble‑Val Sunday market info: Tarn‑et‑Garonne Tourisme