The Loire Valley bustles with activity in November, particularly in the beginning of the month. This is when grapes, apples and other fruits are harvested and a number of fun festivals take place. Although the temperatures drop rapidly now, as winter approaches, this is still a fine time to be outside and, if it happens to rain, to visit some historic sites in cities like Tours or Nantes.
What's The Weather Like In Loire Valley In November
Temperature
The average afternoon temperature in November is 10°C, while the mercury drops to a rather chilly low average of 4°C. Those temperatures tend to decrease in the course of the month, the first weeks being the warmest and most comfortable time of the month. The overall average temperature this month is 7°C, which is the coolest it's been since late March.
Rain
The total amount of rainfall is 56mm, which isn't high or low by any means. Precipitation tends to be exceptionally constant all-year round. There are 12 days with rainfall. There isn't any variation in the probability of rainfall occurring throughout the month. There is one main type of precipitation in November: moderate rain. It is recorded on no less than 68% of those 12 rainy days. Light rain and drizzle may occasionally occur as well, but are much less likely, respectively happening on 15% and 10% of those days with rainfall.
Cloud cover continues to increase in the course of this month, as it has done through September and October as well. The percentage rises from 77% to 84%, which means that the month ends with mostly cloudy skies.
Sunshine Hours
The length of the days decreases further, from 9.59 daylight hours on November 1 to 8.48 hours of daylight on 30th November.
Those two previous factors greatly influence the number of daily sunshine hours. In November, there are 3 hours of sunshine per day on average, which is the annual low, also seen in December and January.
Loire Valley Hotels In November
Château Hôtel Choiseul
One of the absolute best places to stay in the Loire Valley is the four-star Château Hôtel Choiseul in Amboise. This luxury hotel has 28 gorgeously adorned rooms and consists of a collection of 13th-century buildings, which dot a beautiful Italian-style garden. Nearby attractions are the Loire River and a hill with troglodytic caves. The imposing châteaux of the region all lie within easy driving distance. Facilities in this excellent hotel include an outdoor pool (which is great in summer, but unfortunately will be of no use in November), a restaurant and bar, a terrace, a bicycle rental service, free Wi-Fi and Internet, and a lounge.
Hôtel Le Fleuray
Something more affordable might be Hôtel Le Fleuray. Because of its strategic location in between Tours, Blois and Amboise, this is a popular place among visitors who want to spend some time visiting the region's most beautiful châteaux. This inviting hotel-restaurant lies peacefully in the countryside of Cangey and has gardens, a patio, a swimming pool, a spa, a restaurant and free Wi-Fi, among several other amenities.
Hôtel Le Saint-Georges
Situated in the historic centre of Vendôme, the three-star Hôtel Le Saint-Georges has 27 luxurious, modern roomshere are 21 studios, 3 duplex rooms and 3 suites. There's an à la carte restaurant as well as a lounge bar. Free Wi-Fi is available to guests as well.
Bars And Restaurants
La Roche Le Roy
La Roche Le Roy is an incredibly elegant restaurant, housed in an 18th-century manor house, which is surrounded by a peaceful park. Its beautiful interior makes for a stylish dining venue, the silver and crystal decorations only adding to the charm of this restaurant. The menu features traditional French cuisine.
Restaurant Le Manoir de la Forêt
Housed in the old hunting lodge of the family of the Duc de la Rochefoucauld, Restaurant Le Manoir de la Forêt is quite a charming place to go for dinner. Guests can pick separate dishes from the à la carte menu or, on holidays, opt for a three-course meal chosen by the chef. In November, it is open from Thursday to Sunday at noon.
Auberge de la Treille
Auberge de la Treille in Saint-Martin-le-Beau has three different menus as well as a separate à la carte menu to allow its guests to enjoy the best cuisine the region has to offer. It serves regional specialties as well as some local classics.
Things To Do In Loire Valley In November
Exploration
November, with its revitalisingly cool 10°C afternoons, is a nice time of year for hiking or cycling. The crisp and fresh air is ideal to clear your mind; the roaring fire that awaits you in your accommodation at your return is perfectly cosy. These warm colours that are so typical of the autumn season can be enjoyed on hundreds of kilometres of hiking and cycling trails. That said; there are also a couple of other ways to see this gorgeous region. Horseback riding is a very popular activityhis is, in fact, one of France's main horse riding regions. Another suggested thing to do is going for a hot air balloon ride. There really is nothing like looking down on the Loire River, lined with castles and vineyards, from a balloon on a sunny November morning.
Troglodytes
A very peculiar attraction in the Loire Valley is the large number of dwellings that have been dug out into the landscape's rock faces and cliffs. These unique homes are known as troglodytes; they result from the locals' inclination to use their land to its utmost potential. By hewing out their own homes from the rocks, and selling the removed rocks, they in a way repaid the costs of their new house. These cave dwellings are a highlight that shouldn't be missed when visiting the Loire Valleyarticularly the troglodyte village of Rochemenier is fascinating.
