France in November

Rainiest month on the Mediterranean; many coastal hotels and ski resorts closed; Paris cheap.

• Paris and the north · Paris, Lille, Champagne, Normandy inlandcool

  Grey, damp winters; late spring and September are the sweet spot. Paris heatwaves hit 35–40 °C in July–August and most flats and small hotels lack air conditioning.

• Atlantic west · Brittany, Normandy coast, Bordeaux, Biarritzrainy

  Rain in any month; mild summers without much heat. The Basque coast is greener and wetter than people expect.

• Centre and east · Loire, Burgundy, Alsace, Lyon, Dordognecool

  Cold foggy winters and hot summers; Alsace Christmas markets make December busy despite the cold.

• Mediterranean south · Provence, Riviera, Languedoc, Corsicarainy

  Dry and sunny; lavender blooms late June to mid-July. Mistral wind in the Rhône valley; autumn flash floods.

• Mountains · Chamonix, Annecy, Pyreneescool

  Skiing mid-December to April; hiking and lifts late June to early September. Many resorts close in May and November.

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Toussaint (All Saints' Day)

  1 Nov

  Public holiday inside a two-week school break (late Oct – early Nov); family travel peak, cemeteries busy.

• Armistice Day

  11 Nov

  Ceremonies at war memorials; banks and offices closed.

Crowds · France

Low

Prices · France

Low

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket
• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

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