When to go to Bordeaux: climate, best time, and month-by-month tips

In southwestern France, along the banks of the Garonne River, lies Bordeaux, the capital of New Aquitaine. Situated in the heart of one of the world's most prestigious wine regions, the city is famous for its wines, as well as for the beauty of its landscapes that become even more vibrant during the grape harvest season. But what is the best time to visit Bordeaux? Here is information about the climate and month-by-month tips!

The climate in Bordeaux is mild and rainy, influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. Winter is temperate, with averages of 6 - 7 degrees Celsius, while summer is pleasantly warm with 21 - 22°C. Spring is mild with frequent rain, while autumn is cool, humid, and also characterized by abundant precipitation. Thus, it is clear that rain is generally plentiful and well-distributed throughout the year, with a relative minimum during the summer months. As for sunshine, it is decent between April and September, worsening between October and March, during which the sky is often cloudy. Finally, the sea is cold and reaches a maximum of 21°C in August.

The best time to visit Bordeaux is from mid-May to October, being the warmest and sunniest, and coinciding with the grape harvesting period in September-October. There can be drops in temperature during the night, especially in May, June, and September.

The low season includes the winter months, except for the Christmas period, including New Year's. The weather conditions are, moreover, quite pleasant.

Spring, from March to May, is rainy but mild, with some night cold. In March, temperatures are wintery, but from April to May, the Azores high brings nice weather and pleasant warmth. Highs reach 21°C in May, while lows remain around 11°C. The spring season allows you to explore the city by walking through its streets, or perhaps along the riverbank to admire the beautiful scenery. A famous event is the Bordeaux - Métropole Marathon which combines sport and fun and is an alternative way to discover the vineyards and the city's architectural heritage. It takes place in early April and traverses various municipalities, vineyards, and the banks of the Garonne. Between February and March, the Bordeaux Carnival takes place with rich and colorful celebrations.

Summer, from June to August, is warm with highs of 27 degrees in July and August. Occasionally, there are brief heatwaves (about ten days a year) where the temperature rises to 36-38 degrees, but often, refreshing ocean breezes blow in the afternoon. During nice periods, there are usually fresh and rainy periods due to Atlantic currents. Enjoy a refreshing swim (in the true sense of the word!) in the beautiful waters, or get some sun on the beaches. Moreover, during this season, the ideal is to take a river cruise with wine tasting (starting from $21.00 per person), to enjoy a great experience and a different perspective of the city.

Summer events abound: in June, there is the Wine Festival with concerts, parades, and various events, where the star is of course the renowned wine. In July, Les Grands Crus Musicaux features performances by international artists and wine tastings. In August, the Sea Festival includes naval-themed shows and local culinary specialties.

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Autumn, from September to November, begins pleasantly with good sunshine and highs of 24°C, then from October it gradually becomes cooler, humid, and experiences regular rainfall. By November, it becomes one of the rainiest months. The autumn season is perfect for exploring Bordeaux's gardens and various museums, for example, the Aquitaine Museum dedicated to the history of the city, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Decorative Arts with ceramics, furniture, and paintings, and the Natural History Museum with zoological, mineralogical, and paleontological collections.

Don't miss this harvest period, a Vineyard Tour (starting from $65.00 per person) with interesting tastings. An event taking place in September is Rendez-Vous Electroniques, which includes a series of electronic music events.

Winter, from December to February, is quite mild and presents a triple face, depending on the prevailing climatic influence. Atlantic currents bring temperate weather, with highs over 15 degrees, rain, and sometimes wind. When high pressure dominates, fog can form, and light frosts occur while the sun shines during the day. Finally, cold currents from Russia occasionally cause cold waves with some light snowfall, not particularly abundant. Nevertheless, it is rare for temperatures to drop below -10 °C.

During this time, I recommend taking a stroll among the stalls of the Marché de Noël and also in Place Quinconces, to browse through antiques. From late November to January, you can ice skate in Place Pey-Berland. It is always the right season, then, to enjoy wine tastings in châteaux or wine shops (starting from $16.00 per person). And how can you not dedicate a few hours to pre- or post-Christmas shopping? Do it in Bordeaux's pedestrian center, on Rue Sainte-Catherine, the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe.