Bordeaux in December

In December, Bordeaux averages 12°C (53°F) during the day and 5°C (41°F) at night, with around 12 days of rain (88 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear.

December in Bordeaux is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).

12°C
Avg high
5°C
Avg low
12
Rain days
88 mm
Rainfall

How December compares to the rest of the year in Bordeaux

11th
warmest month of the 12
6th
wettest month of the 12
10%
of yearly rainfall falls in December
8 h 49 min
daylight on the 15th

December is one of the coolest months in Bordeaux (11th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (6th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 7°C below the annual average (19°C). December runs 3°C cooler than November (15°C) and cools 1°C in January (10°C).

December sunrise & sunset in Bordeaux

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
8:33 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
5:21 PM
Day length
8 h 49 min

Times shown for Bordeaux local time (Europe/Paris), calculated for the 15th of December. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Bordeaux — December

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of December, in Bordeaux's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
7:33 AM – 8:13 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
8:13 AM – 9:13 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
4:41 PM – 5:41 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
5:41 PM – 6:21 PM

📅 When to book — Bordeaux in December

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on December's tier (Shoulder) and Bordeaux's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.
⚠ Christmas / New Year travel is a global premium-pricing event — many destinations 30-50% above normal. Book 4+ months ahead if your dates are Dec 20 - Jan 2.

Crowds & pricing — December in Bordeaux

Shoulder

Bordeaux is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Why this tier: Christmas / New Year travel surge

Sun & mosquito risk — December in Bordeaux

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
3.6
Moderate
Use SPF 15-30 for prolonged outdoor exposure; sunglasses recommended at peak hours.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●○○○○
Minimal
Occasional mosquitoes possible near standing water. Repellent rarely needed.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Bordeaux in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 10°C / 50°F 4°C / 39°F 96 mm 14
February 12°C / 54°F 4°C / 39°F 70 mm 11
March 15°C / 59°F 6°C / 43°F 68 mm 13
April 18°C / 64°F 8°C / 47°F 67 mm 12
May 21°C / 70°F 11°C / 52°F 78 mm 11
June 25°C / 77°F 15°C / 60°F 109 mm 12
July 27°C / 81°F 17°C / 62°F 42 mm 8
August 27°C / 81°F 17°C / 62°F 50 mm 9
September 25°C / 77°F 15°C / 58°F 49 mm 9
October 20°C / 69°F 11°C / 53°F 79 mm 10
November 15°C / 58°F 7°C / 45°F 96 mm 14
December 12°C / 53°F 5°C / 41°F 88 mm 12

Other cities with similar December weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Bordeaux in December →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Bordeaux in December?

In December, Bordeaux averages a high of 12°C (53°F) and a low of 5°C (41°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in Bordeaux in December?

December can be fairly wet in Bordeaux, with about 12 rainy days on average.

Is December a good time to visit Bordeaux?

December is cool. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cool weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Bordeaux in December?

Pack a warm jacket and layers, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full December packing list for Bordeaux for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Bordeaux on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.