Autumn in Normandy Caux Vexin : Things to Do During the October Half-Term Holidays

October 29, 2026

Autumn is settling in, and the October half-term holidays are just around the corner!
The landscapes are ablaze with vibrant colours, the air is getting cooler, and autumn is showing off all its charm in Normandy Caux Vexin.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing countryside break in Normandy or searching for family-friendly activities to enjoy during the October half-term holidays, we’ve put together a selection of ideas to help you enjoy a wonderfully relaxing autumn, less than two hours from Paris and 30 minutes from Rouen.

Halloween: Our pick of activities to celebrate the return of witches and pumpkins

L'incontournable Halloween se fête partout en Normandie Caux Vexin. Si vous passez vos vacances en famille dans notre région, voici quelques idées pour divertir vos enfants à cette occasion.

Atelier petite citrouille fleurie © Atelier Boui-Boui

At Clères Zoological Park: Enjoy Halloween Animal Welfare Mission, a Halloween storytelling walk on 22 October, and a Halloween treasure hunt on 23 October. There’s also a family Halloween trail and decoration workshop on 26 October, followed by the Mystery at Clères murder-mystery evening on 31 October.
Decorate your home: Book a place at the Little Flower-Adorned Pumpkin workshop with Christopher at Atelier Boui-Boui in Clères. The whole family can get creative and take home their own creations. Takes place on 23 October; booking required.
At Martainville Castle: Experience Halloween at the Castle – The Martainville Pact, a family puzzle-solving adventure, on various dates and time slots from 21 to 24 October. Tickets are available online. On 25 October, enjoy a Día de los Muertos puzzle trail and interactive theatre performance. Online booking required.
Halloween storytelling evening at Dessine-moi un mouton farm in Buchy on 29 October. Booking required.
At Adrien’s Market: On 31 October, enjoy bewitching games, surprise workshops, face painting, crêpes and hot chocolate. Weather permitting, you can also visit the farm — and perhaps discover a few extra surprises !
At the Artmazia Maze in Massy: From 26 October to 1 November, take part in the afternoon Halloween trail, The Halloween Nutcases. For visitors aged 16 and over, there’s also Odin’s Sacrificed after dark. Booking required.
More family-friendly activities for the October half-term holidays
- Animal-feeding workshops and farm days at Dessine-moi un mouton.
- A cinema and snack session at the Bosc-le-Hard media library on 14 October.
- Creative workshops, animal-feeding sessions and shows at Clères Zoological Park, as well as activities at Martainville Castle.

Parks and gardens where you can still enjoy the glorious colours of autumn.

After an unusually long summer, our parks and gardens are now bursting with shades of gold, copper and crimson, offering the perfect opportunity to enjoy a spectacular autumn escape.
Discover our selection of places where you can stroll among golden leaves, all within 30 minutes of Rouen.

- Clères Zoological Park: In autumn, Clères Park becomes a spectacular natural stage, where flamingos, peacocks, wallabies, cranes and antelopes roam in semi-liberty among delighted visitors of all ages. Open until 1 November.
- The Sculpture Garden: The works of Jean-Marc de Pas engage in a dialogue with symbolic spaces and trees dressed in their finest autumn foliage. Inside the castle, an exhibition dedicated to artist Caroline Coppey completes this immersive experience combining nature and contemporary art. Open until 1 November.
- The grounds of Martainville Castle: A celebration of local fruit varieties, vegetable gardens and traditional gardens of the past. It’s an ideal countryside stop where you can combine a leisurely walk with a discovery of Norman rural heritage in the museum housed inside this magnificent Renaissance castle. Open all year round.
Image: Martainville Castle, 23 September 2021 © Thomas Boivin
More gardens to discover
- Jardin du Mesnil and Bray Botanical Park: Admire the spectacular autumn maples across 14 hectares in Montérolier. Open until 1 November.
- The grounds of Bosmelet Castle: Located in Val-de-Scie, this elegant estate features a landscape dotted with remarkable chestnut trees. Open until 11 October.
- The Gardens of Angélique in Montmain: Delightfully romantic gardens, open until 15 October.
- The gardens of Vascoeuil Castle and the Matmut Contemporary Art Centre – Daniel Havis: Both offer beautiful displays of autumn colour surrounding works by contemporary sculptors. The gardens of Vascoeuil Castle are open until 1 November, while the Matmut Contemporary Art Centre is open all year round.

©Jardin Plume © M. Harel - Parc de Clères © ML Vittori - Jardin des sculptures © JM de Pas

Château de Martainville - 23.09.2021 - © Thomas Boivin
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Outdoor adventures for the whole family :)

Reach new heights on treetop adventure courses suitable for different ability levels, with zip lines and woodland games.
Le parc Arbr'en Ciel, à Préaux is open every weekend and every day during the school holidays until 1 November. You can also enjoy ground-level activities, including outdoor laser tag, mini golf and the Ouistiti course for younger children.
It’s the perfect opportunity to have fun, recharge your batteries and enjoy the forest, just 17 km from Rouen!

Image: Free golf taster session, UGOLF Rouen © Fabrice Mallard

The days are getting shorter, but there’s good news: in Normandy Caux Vexin, there are still plenty of ways to make the most of those increasingly long evenings!
For families, enjoy the Family Enjoy evening at Le Clos de Rouen La Vaupalière on 16 October. A children’s meal is included when an adult meal is purchased, and games are available to keep everyone entertained.

Ferme équestre de Bois-Guilbert : Ponies, the perfect companions for reconnecting with nature.

Ferme équestre de Bois-Guilbert © A Varnier-Godart

From family rides and introductory pony-riding sessions to holidays for children and teenagers, this pioneering pony-riding centre offers the perfect way to reconnect with nature.
Meet their adorable, gentle and dependable ponies and small Icelandic horses, ideal for younger and older riders alike.

Let golf win you over with a free introductory session : Ugolf

These free 2.5-hour introductory sessions offer a wonderful opportunity to discover the pleasures of golf while exploring the different challenges of the course at UGOLF Rouen La Forêt Verte.
Whether you come with friends or family, you’re sure to enjoy a great time in the beautiful surroundings of this welcoming golf club, where you can also have lunch.
Online registration required.

Our ideas for delightful autumn evenings

For couples or groups of friends, the dinners in the dark at Le Clos Rouen-La Vaupalière offer a unique culinary experience. Test your taste buds and challenge your senses as you identify the flavours of a succession of delicious homemade dishes prepared by the hotel’s restaurant.
The next event takes place on 20 November, and there’s still time to book !
Alongside its many cooking and baking workshops, listed in our events calendar, Sophie from La Forêt des Macarons in Clères is offering a special workshop as part of the regional initiative Cook in Normandy, in partnership with the Normandy Regional Council.
On 7 November, discover how to make puff pastry and douillon d’Elbeuf, a traditional Norman speciality. Registration required.

expériences culinaires canva

Alongside its many cooking and baking workshops, listed in our events calendar, Sophie from La Forêt des Macarons in Clères is offering a special workshop as part of the regional initiative Cook in Normandy, in partnership with the Normandy Regional Council.
On 7 November, discover how to make puff pastry and douillon d’Elbeuf, a traditional Norman speciality. Registration required.

Spontaneous autumn getaways or planning ahead for the winter holidays? Book now!
Looking for somewhere comfortable and fully equipped where you can unwind as a couple or with your family, less than two hours from Paris?
From welcoming, comfortable and affordable bed-and-breakfast accommodation to four-star hotels with spas, as well as unusual and original places to stay, our region offers an incredible variety of experiences and settings.

You’re sure to find the perfect place for your Norman getaway!

Discover all our accommodation options : Voir tous nos hébergements