Bordeaux in November

November weather, activities, events & insider tips

November Weather in Bordeaux

13°C (57°F) High Temp

7°C (44°F) Low Temp

114 mm (4.5 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is November Right for You?

Advantages

Wine cellars reach perfect visiting conditions - underground temperatures stabilize at 12-14°C (54-57°F), making château tours comfortable while avoiding summer's stifling heat in cramped tasting rooms
Harvest season afterglow means fresh 2025 vintage tastings at properties, with winemakers available for conversations since tourist crowds drop 60% after October
Hotel rates drop 30-40% from summer peaks, with luxury properties in Saint-Émilion and Médoc offering shoulder season packages including private tastings and vineyard access
Truffle season begins in Périgord (90 minutes east), with weekend truffle markets in Sarlat and specialized restaurant menus featuring fresh Périgord black truffles paired with Bordeaux wines

Considerations

Daylight ends by 17:30, severely limiting afternoon vineyard visits - most châteaux close tours by 16:00, forcing you to cram tastings into shortened days
Rain affects 10 days throughout the month with persistent drizzle rather than quick showers, making cycling between vineyards muddy and unpleasant on unpaved château roads
Many family-owned wineries in Médoc reduce visiting hours or close weekdays entirely during November, requiring advance booking and limiting spontaneous discoveries

Best Activities in November

Underground Wine Cave Tours

November's cool, damp weather makes exploring ancient limestone caves beneath châteaux ideal - underground temperatures remain constant while surface weather becomes unpredictable. Many properties offer extended cave tastings during low season, with some including barrel sampling of 2025 harvest. The atmospheric conditions create perfect wine storage environments you can experience firsthand.

Booking Tip: Reserve cave tours 5-7 days ahead through château websites or wine tour operators. Prices typically range €25-45 per person for basic cave tours, €60-120 for premium experiences with vertical tastings. Look for operators offering indoor backup activities for rainy days.

Saint-Émilion Medieval Village Walking

November fog and autumn light create dramatic atmosphere in this UNESCO village, while cooler temperatures make climbing the this destination (196 steps) comfortable. Fewer crowds mean better access to underground monuments and monolithic church. Many wine shops offer extended tastings indoors when weather turns.

Booking Tip: Walking tours typically cost €15-25 per person. Book monument visits online 2-3 days ahead as they limit group sizes. Combined village and wine tasting packages range €45-80. See current tour options in booking section below.

Covered Market Food Tours

Marché des Capucins and other covered markets provide perfect rainy-day exploration, with November bringing seasonal specialties like fresh chestnuts, late autumn mushrooms, and early winter vegetables. Market vendors are more talkative during quieter shoulder season, offering tastings and cooking tips.

Booking Tip: Food tours cost €35-65 per person for 2-3 hour experiences. Book 3-4 days ahead with operators offering indoor market focus rather than outdoor walking routes. Look for tours including covered market visits plus indoor wine Montenegro stops.

Garonne River Scenic Cruises

November's dramatic skies and autumn vineyard colors create exceptional photography conditions from heated river vessels. Most boats offer indoor seating and wine tastings during 90-minute cruises. Port of the Moon UNESCO site appears most atmospheric under November's changing light conditions.

Booking Tip: River cruises run €20-35 per person, with wine tasting cruises €40-60. Book 2-3 days ahead as boats reduce frequency in November. Choose afternoon departures (14:00-15:30) to maximize remaining daylight for city views.

Art Museum Extended Visits

Musée d'Aquitaine and Musée des Beaux-Arts become perfect rainy day refuges, with November's reduced crowds allowing leisurely exploration. Special exhibitions often launch in November for winter season. Museum cafés provide warm spaces to plan next vineyard visits while weather passes.

Booking Tip: Museum passes cost €8-12 per venue, with city museum passes around €25 for multiple sites. No advance booking needed except for special exhibitions. Allow 2-3 hours per major museum when using them as weather refuges.

Heated Wine Bar Tastings

November weather makes cozy wine bars essential for extended tastings of rare Bordeaux vintages. Many bars offer vertical tastings and wine education sessions during slower season. Montenegro à Vin du CIVB and similar venues provide professional guidance unavailable during busy summer months.

Booking Tip: Wine Montenegro tastings range €15-40 for flights of 3-5 wines. Premium tastings with rare vintages cost €50-120. No reservations typically needed except for special events. Look for venues offering small plates to pair with tastings.

November Events & Festivals

Mid November

Nouveaux Primeurs Wine Week

Annual celebration of new vintage releases with special tastings at châteaux and wine shops throughout the city. Many properties offer first tastes of 2025 harvest wines alongside established vintages for comparison tastings.

Late November

Marché aux Truffes Opening

Traditional truffle markets begin in nearby Périgord region, with special truffle and wine pairing dinners offered at Bordeaux restaurants. Weekend truffle hunts and cooking classes become available through specialized operators.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Waterproof walking shoes with good grip - château courtyards and vineyard paths become slippery when wet, and you'll walk on varied surfaces from cobblestones to gravel

Layered clothing system (light wool sweater, fleece, rain jacket) - indoor wine cellars stay cool at 12°C (54°F) while heated tasting rooms can reach 22°C (72°F)

Compact umbrella - November rain tends to be steady drizzle rather than heavy downpours, making small umbrella more practical than bulky rain gear

Wine shipping materials if purchasing bottles - bubble wrap, wine sleeves, or portable wine cases for transporting purchases back home safely

Comfortable indoor shoes - many châteaux require shoe covers or provide slippers for cellar visits, but having backup indoor footwear helps

Power bank for phone - shorter daylight hours mean more reliance on phone flashlight and GPS, draining batteries faster in cold conditions

Cash in small denominations - many small producers and market vendors prefer cash, especially for purchases under €20

Light scarf or neck warmer - wine cellars and outdoor tastings can feel chilly around the neck area even when body stays warm

Water bottle - wine tastings require palate cleansing, and staying hydrated becomes more important when tasting multiple wines per day

Insider Knowledge

Visit châteaux between 10:00-15:00 to maximize daylight hours - many properties reduce afternoon tour frequency in November, with last tours often at 16:00 before early sunset

Book restaurant reservations for 19:00-19:30 rather than typical French 20:00+ timing - November's early darkness makes earlier dining more appealing, and restaurants accommodate shoulder season preferences

Château visits cost 20-30% less in November compared to harvest season, with many offering extended tastings or additional wine samples to encourage visits during slower period

Local wine shops offer better prices and personal service during November - owners have more time for recommendations and often provide complimentary tastings of wines you're considering purchasing

Avoid These Mistakes

Assuming all châteaux maintain summer hours - many reduce days or hours in November, particularly smaller family operations that close Mondays-Wednesdays entirely

Booking only outdoor wine activities - weather can force cancellations, so include indoor alternatives like covered market tours, wine museums, and heated tasting rooms

Underestimating travel time between vineyards - November's rain and reduced daylight make driving between appellations slower, requiring extra buffer time for appointments