Normandy is one of France’s great destinations for food lovers, and autumn may be the most rewarding time to visit. Apple orchards are heavy with fruit, cider presses return to work, and fishing ports celebrate the arrival of scallops and herring with lively festivals along the coast.
The region’s culinary identity is rooted in its landscape. Rich pastures support the production of Camembert, Livarot and Pont-l’Évêque cheeses, while apple orchards supply cider, pommeau and Calvados. Along the coast, autumn marks the beginning of an important season for scallops, herring and other seafood.
Travelers planning a wider gastronomic journey can find additional inspiration in DRIFT’s guide to the best culinary tours in France.
Here are five Normandy food festivals with confirmed dates for autumn 2026.
1. Toute la Mer sur un Plateau, Granville
Dates: October 3–4, 2026
Granville celebrates its maritime heritage with Toute la Mer sur un Plateau, or “The Whole Sea on a Platter,” one of Normandy’s largest seafood festivals.
Held around the fishing port and fish market, the festival brings together shellfish producers, fishermen, chefs and visitors for a weekend devoted to the region’s catch. Granville is an important shellfish port, making it an ideal setting for discovering scallops, oysters, whelks, lobsters and other seafood landed along the Normandy coast.
Festivalgoers can expect seafood tastings, direct sales from producers, cooking demonstrations and maritime entertainment. The working harbor provides a fitting backdrop, allowing visitors to learn more about local fishing traditions while enjoying freshly prepared seafood.
Granville is also a convenient base for exploring the western Normandy coast. The historic town, sometimes called the “Monaco of the North,” is approximately an hour from Mont-Saint-Michel.
The 2026 festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Additional information is available from the Granville Terre et Mer Tourist Office.
2. Fête du Ventre and Rouen à Table, Rouen
Dates: October 7–11, 2026
Main Fête du Ventre: October 10–11, 2026
Rouen’s Fête du Ventre et de la Gastronomie Normande is one of the region’s most comprehensive celebrations of Norman food.
The festival’s name translates loosely as the “Festival of the Stomach,” and the event lives up to that playful description. More than 100 producers typically gather around Rouen’s historic Vieux-Marché district, presenting cheeses, apples, cider, Calvados, charcuterie, dairy products, jams and other regional specialties.
Many producers appear in traditional Norman clothing, adding a sense of heritage to the markets, tastings and culinary demonstrations. Musical groups and street performers contribute to the atmosphere, while family activities introduce younger visitors to farming and local food production.
The main festival will take place on October 10 and 11, while the wider Rouen à Table program runs from October 7 to 11. Events are expected to include culinary rallies, chef-led dinners, large cooking classes and other activities across the city.
Rouen is also the only French city currently recognized as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, strengthening its reputation as an essential stop for food-focused travelers.
Details and the forthcoming 2026 program can be found through the official Fête du Ventre website.
3. Le Goût du Large, Port-en-Bessin-Huppain
Dates: November 7–8, 2026
The return of the scallop fishing fleet is a major occasion in Port-en-Bessin-Huppain, one of Normandy’s most important scallop ports.
Le Goût du Large, or “A Taste of the Open Sea,” celebrates scallops and the fishing traditions that continue to shape this coastal community. Throughout the weekend, visitors can sample scallop dishes, purchase seafood around the harbor and learn more about the lives and work of local fishermen.
Restaurants throughout the town usually prepare special menus centered on coquilles Saint-Jacques, while the quays host culinary demonstrations, maritime exhibitions and family entertainment. Music is another important part of the weekend, including the accompanying Musique sous les Embruns festival.
Port-en-Bessin is located close to Bayeux and the D-Day landing beaches, making the event easy to include in a longer Normandy itinerary. The combination of maritime history, working fishing culture and seasonal food makes this one of the region’s most distinctive autumn events.
The 2026 festival will take place around the harbor from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on November 7 and 8. Visit the Port-en-Bessin-Huppain event page for updates.
4. Herring and Scallop Fair, Dieppe
Dates: November 14–15, 2026
Dieppe’s Herring and Scallop Fair is one of Normandy’s best-known maritime food festivals. Each November, the Quai Henri IV fills with the scent of herring cooking over open grills as the city celebrates its historic connection to the sea.
Visitors can sample herring grilled, smoked or marinated, alongside seasonal scallops and other seafood. Food stalls, musical performances, culinary demonstrations and activities connected to fishing culture create a festive atmosphere across the harbor.
The event is particularly notable for the way it brings together two important seasonal products. Herring has played a significant role in Dieppe’s history, while Normandy scallops are prized for their quality and remain central to the region’s modern fishing economy.
Dieppe is also known for its clifftop castle, lively market and long pebble beach, providing plenty to explore beyond the festival. The city makes a good starting point for discovering the Alabaster Coast and its dramatic chalk cliffs.
The Dieppe Herring and Scallop Fair returns on November 14 and 15, 2026. Updated information will be posted by Dieppe-Normandie Tourism.
5. Fécamp Herring and Scallop Festival
Dates: November 28–29, 2026
Fécamp closes out November with a festival celebrating herring, scallops and the fishing heritage of the Alabaster Coast.
Held along the port, the event features grilled and smoked herring, scallop dishes, seafood stalls and demonstrations of traditional fish preparation. Visitors can also expect maritime music, family activities and the election of the Herring Queen.
One of the festival’s most interesting heritage attractions is the Boucane du Grand Quai, a former herring smokehouse. Its preserved equipment and historic setting help explain how herring was processed and prepared when fishing played an even greater role in Fécamp’s economy.
The town itself is framed by the white cliffs of the Alabaster Coast. Visitors can combine the festival with a walk around the harbor, a trip to Cap Fagnet or a visit to the Palais Bénédictine, home of the famous herbal liqueur.
The festival is scheduled for November 28 and 29, 2026. Practical details will be available from the Fécamp Tourist Office.
Planning an Autumn Food Trip to Normandy
These festivals stretch from early October to the end of November, making it possible to build an itinerary around seafood, cheese, cider and the towns that produce them.
Granville and Rouen offer broad introductions to Normandy’s culinary traditions, while Port-en-Bessin, Dieppe and Fécamp provide a closer look at the region’s working ports and maritime heritage.
Autumn also brings fewer crowds than the summer travel season, colorful countryside and cooler weather suited to exploring markets, historic towns and coastal walking routes. DRIFT has included Normandy among its best places to travel in 2026, particularly for travelers looking beyond France’s busiest destinations.
Festival schedules can change because of weather or operational considerations. Check the individual event or tourism websites before finalizing travel arrangements.
Where to Stay for Normandy’s Autumn Food Festivals
Mercure Granville Le Grand Large — Granville
Overlooking the sea and the Chausey Islands, Mercure Granville Le Grand Large is a convenient choice for Toute la Mer sur un Plateau. The four-star hotel offers direct beach access, sea-view rooms and a terrace overlooking the coast. It is also within walking distance of central Granville and its fishing port.
Hôtel de Bourgtheroulde — Rouen
Set within a listed Renaissance building near Place du Vieux-Marché, Hôtel de Bourgtheroulde places guests close to the Fête du Ventre celebrations. The five-star hotel combines historic architecture with contemporary rooms, an indoor pool, a spa and an on-site brasserie.
Villa Lara — Bayeux
Villa Lara is a privately owned five-star boutique hotel in the historic center of Bayeux, opposite the cathedral and close to the Bayeux Tapestry. Port-en-Bessin is approximately a 15-minute drive away, making the hotel a refined base for attending Le Goût du Large while also exploring the D-Day landing beaches.
Hôtel Aguado — Dieppe
Facing the sea and overlooking Dieppe’s harbor, Hôtel Aguado is particularly well positioned for the Herring and Scallop Fair. The three-star hotel has soundproofed rooms, many with water views, and provides easy access to the Quai Henri IV, restaurants, shops and waterfront attractions.
