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Best time to visit Bordeaux

Month-by-month weather, crowds, prices, and festival calendar — so you know exactly when to book.

Best time to visit Bordeaux, France

Month-by-month breakdown of weather, crowds, prices, and seasonal highlights.

Month	Weather	Crowds	Prices	Highlights
January	4-10°C, often overcast with frequent rain.	low	low	• Winter wine sales (Soldes d'Hiver) ⚠ Many smaller restaurants and shops may close for part of the month.
February	5-11°C, cool and damp with variable sunshine.	low	low	• Pre-spring vineyard pruning observation ⚠ Still very much winter; outdoor activities limited.
March	7-14°C, increasing sunshine but still cool and potentially rainy.	low	low	• Bud break in vineyards ⚠ Weather can be unpredictable; pack layers.
April	10-17°C, mild with a mix of sun and showers.	moderate	moderate	• Spring blooms in gardens • Early asparagus season ⚠ Easter holidays can bring a slight increase in crowds and prices.
May	13-21°C, pleasantly warm and mostly sunny with occasional spring rain.	moderate	moderate	• Vineyards in full leaf • Tulip and iris season • May Wine Festival (Fête de la Vigne) ⚠ Ideal weather for exploring the city and surrounding vineyards.
June	16-25°C, warm and sunny, ideal for outdoor activities.	high	high	• Long daylight hours • Summer wine festivals begin • Strawberry season ⚠ Book accommodations and popular tours well in advance.
July	19-28°C, hot and sunny with low humidity.	peak	peak	• Cherry season • Outdoor markets in full swing • Summer concerts ⚠ Can experience heatwaves; stay hydrated and seek shade.
August	19-28°C, warm to hot and sunny, often dry.	peak	peak	• Late summer produce • Coastal excursions are popular • Ferragosto (though less celebrated than in Italy) ⚠ Many Parisians and other French holidaymakers are on vacation, leading to peak crowds.
September	15-24°C, mild and often sunny, a pleasant transition from summer.	moderate	high	• Grape harvest season (Vendanges) • Autumnal colors begin • End of summer festival season ⚠ Harvest season brings a special energy to the wine regions.
October	11-19°C, crisp air with a mix of sunshine and rain.	moderate	moderate	• Late harvest wines • Autumn foliage in vineyards • Truffle season begins ⚠ Weather becomes more unpredictable towards the end of the month.
November	7-14°C, cool, damp, and often overcast.	low	low	• Early truffle markets • Cozy wine bar experiences ⚠ Many vineyards reduce tours; focus shifts indoors.
December	5-11°C, cold, wet, and short daylight hours.	low	moderate	• Christmas markets • Festive wine tasting events ⚠ Weather can be dreary; indoor activities are key.

Annual events worth timing your trip around

June

Bordeaux Fête le Vin

A major wine festival celebrating Bordeaux wines with tasting stands, concerts, and fireworks.

July

Festival international de jazz de Bordeaux

A renowned jazz festival with performances across the city.

April

Marathon de Bordeaux Métropole

A popular marathon attracting runners from around the world, showcasing the city's landmarks.

September

Festival des Vendanges (Grape Harvest)

Celebrations and activities in wine regions marking the start of the grape harvest.

October

Bordeaux So Good

A festival dedicated to gastronomy and culinary arts, featuring chefs and producers.

December

Marché de Noël (Christmas Market)

Festive markets offering local crafts, food, and mulled wine.

Insider timing tips

•The shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) offer a sweet spot with pleasant weather and fewer crowds than peak summer, though September prices remain high due to the harvest.
•While summer (July-August) is warm and sunny, it's also the most crowded and expensive period, with many local businesses potentially closed for August holidays.
•Winter (January-February) sees the lowest prices and fewest tourists, but the weather is consistently cold and wet, and many smaller establishments take a break.
•The Bordeaux wine region is active year-round; visiting during the grape harvest (September) offers a unique perspective, though accommodations book up quickly.