Best Time to Visit Bordeaux

Four seasons, and a mild one in between

Bordeaux has a gentle, damp Atlantic climate. Winter is grey and wet. January and December are the gloomiest, with rain on about 14 days and barely any sun. It's good for long lunches and the Musée d'Aquitaine, less good for wandering along the Garonne river.

Spring arrives early. By April it's mild enough to sit on a terrace in Place du Parlement, though showers still pass through. Summer is warm and sunny without being fierce. Autumn holds its warmth well into October.

Which month for which trip

Want the city at its easiest? Pick May, June or September. Days are warm, evenings are long, and you can walk the quays and the big Miroir d'Eau (the shallow reflecting pool) without wilting. June is a bit wetter than July, so carry a light rain jacket.

July and August are the driest and sunniest months, tied on 8 rainy days each. They suit a day at Arcachon's beaches or the Dune du Pilat, Europe's tallest sand dune, about an hour away. Travelling with kids? This is your window, because the school holidays line up with it.

Wine lovers should aim for late September and October. Harvest is on in Saint-Émilion and the Médoc, and the vineyards turn gold. Rain creeps up in October, so keep a cosy lunch stop in mind.

Crowds and high season

Peak season runs roughly July to August. Bordeaux itself isn't swamped, since many locals leave for the coast, but Saint-Émilion and the Arcachon basin get busy. Some small restaurants and shops in the city close for part of August.

If you hate crowds, April and early November are quiet. April rates Excellent, while November turns damp and dark, so it only suits museum and wine-cellar trips.

Events through the year

Bordeaux Fête le Vin brings tastings along the quays in even-numbered years, usually in June. Vinexpo, the big wine trade fair, is mostly for the trade, but it fills hotels when it's on. The Fête du Fleuve, a river festival, also appears in some years, so check dates before planning around it.

Harvest, known as the *vendanges*, shapes the autumn. Many châteaux (wine estates) offer tours then. Christmas markets and lights bring a cosy feel to December, even if the rain doesn't help.