What's the weather like in Bordeaux in June
The cosmopolitan port area of Bordeaux offers a plethora of things to see, places to eat, and activities to try. It's well-known for its unrivalled wine production, but also offers plenty for non-wine drinkers. June is considered to be the start of the true tourist season as the temperatures continue to rise and the rains begin to drop. You also have an extra hour of daylight compared to May. This month gets an average of 8 hours of sunshine each day, plenty of time to get outside.
Rainfall
Rainfall amounts drop down to 70 mm with that amount falling over an average of 13 days. Typically, any rainfall you get is short-lived and light, but you might want to bring along an umbrella just in case. Thunderstorms are also possible this time of the year, but don't usually get severe. The chance of rain on any given day is 37% and the chance of clouds is 33%.
Temperature
Expect lots of sunshine, with an average daily temperature of 19°C (about 66°F), a welcome respite from the staggering heat other areas of Europe gets this time of the year. The highs get up to 25°C (around 77°F), hot but not stifling. The lows only drop down to 13°C (around 55°F), generally only getting that cold at night and in the early morning hours. Bring along a light-weight jacket or sweater for at night, especially if you'll be outside. During the day, short-sleeved shirts and shorts are great. You'll also want to bring along sunglasses and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun's rays and avoid a nasty sunburn.
Sea Temperature
While the area sees steady temperatures, the highest recorded temperature for this month was 39°C (about 101°F), blistering hot for this area of France. The lowest recorded temperature was 6°C (around 43°F). Luckily, the chances of having extreme weather like this are low, so you can expect more normal temperatures.
Bordeaux Hotels for June
InterContinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hotel
Famous chef Gordon Ramsay recently opened a new restaurant at the swanky InterContinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hotel. The hotel lives up to its name, with a grand façade and elaborate but elegant interior to match. Choose a standard room, each lavishly decorated and offering amenities like Loewe television system, marble bathrooms with heated floors, and mini bar. Or, upgrade to a suite with extra space. Other hotel amenities include concierge, valet, chauffer, kids' club, and winter garden.
Mama Shelter Bordeaux
At the Mama Shelter Bordeaux hotel, you're in for a fun and eclectic adventure with hip décor, cool amenities, and hipster-approved rooms. The rooms are divided into four categoriesmall, medium, large, and extra largeo you can choose based on your budget and size needs. All of the rooms come with a 27-inch iMac with television, radio, Airplay, Skype, free Wi-Fi, and complementary on-demand in-room movies. You'll also enjoy two on-site restaurants, bar, and rooftop lounge.
Quality Hotel Bordeaux Pessac
The Quality Hotel Bordeaux Pessac is an affordable option located just 15 minutes outside of the centre of the city. It's ideal for families with amenities like full buffet breakfast, outdoor pool to enjoy the warm June weather, on-site restaurant, and kids-stay-free deal. Some of the rooms also come with a sofa bed for extra sleeping space. All the rooms have a coffee maker, mini bar, flat-screen television, and private bathroom. Other amenities include free newspapers, fitness centre, and bilingual staff.
Bordeaux Beaches in June
Plage de Lac
The city's only beach, Plage de Lac sits on Le Lac on the north side of the city. Plage de Lac holds the Blue Flag label for beaches, making it a great place for visitors to enjoy a beautiful June day. It's open from June through September for swimming, with a lifeguard on duty for the afternoons. The beach has a wading pool, picnic tables, ping pong tables, beach volleyball, showers, and toilets. It also has handicap accessible facilities for those in wheelchairs to enjoy the beach.
Bars and Restaurants
The Connemara
For a refreshing drink after a day out, stop by The Connemara, an Irish-themed pub that's big on sports. It's also known for its live music, quizzes, and open mic nights. The terrace is ideal for sitting out and enjoying the summer weather, and there's a selection of British style pub food such as fish and chips to accompany the wide choice of beers. You can also snack on pub favourites like chicken wings, calamari, frites, and pizza.
Tante Charlotte
When you dine at Tante Charlotte, or Aunt Charlotte's in English, you'll feel like a member of the family. The homey French bistro in Bordeaux's city centre invites guests to enjoy dishes like magret of roasted duck, filet heart rump in pepper sauce, and tartine of smoked salmon. The restaurant also has a soup of the day and Aunt Charlotte's pie of the day. The chef uses organic and natural ingredients whenever possible and also has several vegetarian and vegan options.
Le Pavillon des Boulevards
For an incredible and high-end French dining experience, Le Pavillon des Boulevards is located just outside the city. The tasting menu includes dishes like potato ravioli, foie gras smoked with beech wood, tartar of sea bream, hake fillet, and roasted squab and stew. You can also order several dishes off the a la carte menu. Because of its popularity, you'll want to reserve a table to make sure you get a spot.
Things to do in Bordeaux in June
Miroir d'Eau de Bordeaux
The Miroir d'Eau de Bordeaux, or Water Mirror in English, is one of the city's newest and most popular attractions. It's located across the street from the Place de la Bourse, between Quai de la Douane and Quai Louis XVIII. Designed by Michel Corajoud, the mirror is actually two centimetres of water over a granite slab. The water reflects the surrounding buildings, creating an amazing scene. Kids also love splashing around in the shallow pool of water in the summer months.
Place de la Bourse
The Place de la Bourse, or Place Royale, is one of France's most famous plazas. It's home to the Water Mirror, as well as numerous sprays and jets to run and play in during the summer months. You'll find a picturesque promenade popular with cyclists, walkers, and skateboarders. You can also just sit and enjoy people-watching and the buskers entertaining the crowds. The Garonne River is just across the way from the plaza as well.
Bordeaux Canoe
For the more active visitors, a trip down the river by canoe or kayak is a great way to see the city from a whole other perspective. Bordeaux Canoe offers guided trips down the Garonne River where you'll travel under stone bridges and see the city's sites from the water. The knowledgeable river guides provide interesting titbits and answer any questions you have. These tours are open to anyone age 10 and over and are available for all skill levels.