Is there anything more beautiful than the colors of fall? From russet reds and burnt oranges to conker browns and mustard yellows, nature is a vision of loveliness. Here in my part of the French countryside, there is a blanket of leaves on the ground, and the fields are full of pumpkins.
The shop windows have gorgeous displays celebrating the harvest, and it’s almost impossible to resist popping in. The wine estates are a hive of activity as the workers pick the grapes, and the sun is low in the sky, shining down on them.
The farmhouses have also gone to town. With wicker baskets full of wood and galvanized planters displaying chrysanthemums, their front porches look inviting. So, how can you get that French Country Fall-inspired look for your home?
Wicker Baskets
Nothing screams French Country Fall porch decor like a wicker basket. We use them for the weekly market and for decor. In the picturesque region of Normandy, known for its apple orchards, you’ll see them used as storage for cider apples in the fall.
Try placing large wicker baskets on your porch filled with colorful pumpkins and squashes.
Complement them with smaller baskets containing fresh fall apples and pears, echoing the harvest spirit that sweeps through French villages at this time of year. These wicker baskets on Amazon are similar to what we have here in France >>>
Vintage Crates
Vintage crates are a popular decor item in France because they’re readily available and were used to transport things like wine. The French are great at repurposing, and in Autumn, they give them a Halloween twist, transforming them into a spooky vignette.
Once Halloween has passed, they stack them to create a multi-level display, adding glass vases with fall flowers to give them a third life.
But you don’t need to be in France to get these; most decent garden centers and stores will have these in stock. But Amazon has some great ones here >>>
Harvest Display
In France, the autumn is all about the harvest, and you’ll see many harvest displays adorning the front of French country homes. Stacks of pumpkins in various colors, garlic strands, bowls of figs, or conkers, anything goes with this.
It’s about getting creative and showcasing the local produce.
In France, everything is seasonal. If it’s not in season, you can’t find it, and that’s reflected strongly in the decor elements.
One of the many things I love about living here is the seasonal eating, which is so much healthier for you.
Chalkboard Signs
I love a good chalkboard. I have one in my kitchen and recently bought one for my deck.
A small chalkboard sign with greetings or seasonal sayings in French, such as “Bienvenue” or “L’automne est arrivé,” works perfectly with a harvest display.
It’s also easy to reuse by changing the greeting depending on the season. The one in my kitchen doubles as a place to write my shopping list as well as being a decor item; it’s super handy.
We used chalkboard paint to create ours, which you can get here on Amazon >>>
Faux Fall Wreaths
In the Dordogne region, where the autumn scenery is breathtaking and there is plenty of medieval history, artisans often craft wreaths that reflect the area’s natural beauty.
They use faux elements like olive branches, grapevines, and small figs to capture the spirit of French vineyards and olive groves.
They intersperse these with silk autumn leaves in shades of gold and crimson, adding acorns and tiny pinecones for texture.
The result is stunning; you can see them on many front doors in the French countryside.
Galvanized Planters
You’ll find plenty of galvanized planters in the home decor stores in France. They are perfect for infusing your fall porch with some French country style.
To adapt these for autumn, fill them with colorful mums, known in France as “chrysanthèmes,” a popular choice for All Saints’ Day.
Layer in ornamental kale and white pumpkins to contrast with the metal’s cool tone, and incorporate a few twisted grapevines or dried wheat stalks around the edges.
These are similar to the ones I have at home here in France >>>
Plaid Blankets
Plaid blankets draped over porch chairs or benches are the perfect addition to a French-inspired fall porch.
Choose throws in natural, earthy hues like ochre, terracotta, or muted olive to reflect the fall landscape. For something deeper, try dark reds, forest greens, and navy blues.
Store extras in a wooden chest so you have some for guests who might drop by for an apéritif, which happens regularly here in France.
Apéro hour is huge here and happens any time between 5 pm and 7 pm. You can read all about it on my other blog about my life in France.
Outdoor Woodburner
Once November hits and the clocks go back, the evenings get decidedly chilly, but the skies are clear, bright, and full of stars. To take advantage of this, many French homes will use old, discarded wood burners on their porch so they can enjoy the winter evenings and do some stargazing.
We have one on our patio in front of the little Juliet balcony. We actually reconditioned our old woodburner, which the chimney sweep had condemned for use in the house, and simply set it up outside; it works beautifully.
It’s wonderfully cozy, and we only do it in the Fall and early winter months. There is something magical about stargazing with blankets over your legs, the fire burning away, and the peace and quiet of the countryside all around you.
Herb Pots
Many people in the French countryside have a “potager,” an herb garden, and I’m one of them.
Often, we take cuttings of culinary herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage, put them in ceramic pots, and place them on the porch throughout the autumn months.
For your fall display, cluster several pots of varying sizes to create a mini herb garden and add some pumpkins or ornamental cabbages.
Cast Iron Accents
France often uses cast iron, especially for decorative items. You’ll see season-inspired designs in garden centers and decor stores, including doorstops, ornate plant stands, and glass holders.
Autumn motifs such as leaves or pumpkins are also popular in the fall.
They are durable enough to withstand the elements, making them perfect for outdoor settings.
Vintage Bicycles
In the artistic villages of Provence, where weathered shutters and doors are everywhere, vintage bicycles are often used in autumn displays. Sometimes, you’ll find them in unexpected places like doorways. Other times, they might be leaning against a lamppost or just outside a bistro.
I love seeing them filled with fall flowers or seasonal produce. They give off the vibe from years ago of the “Onion Johnnies” from Roscoff, who sold their onions from bicycles. I have a lovely old powder blue vintage bike with a wicker basket, and I love cycling to the boulangerie to pick up our bread. For me, it’s the quintessential French thing to do.
Copper Pots
Copper pots are a staple in most French country kitchens. They bring a lovely warmth to any display, but they’re particularly gorgeous as fall decor. Copper’s reflective quality magnifies the soft autumn light, casting a welcoming glow on your porch.
They work well with fall flowers such as marigolds and pansies; smaller pots are perfect for scented candles or little strings of lights popped inside.
These pots work perfectly, and they’re small enough to sit on window sills.
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Kylie Lang is a nationally syndicated travel journalist with bylines on the Associated Press Wire & more, a lifestyle writer, and the founder and editor of Your Lifestyle Library (yourlifestylelibrary.com). She holds a BA (Honours) in History from the University of Kent and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers.