Fancy a trip to Normandy in November?
Find out if the region at this time of year will meet your expectations with our comprehensive guide:
- Climate in Normandy in November (temperatures, weather…)
- Swimming conditions: water temperature and wind
- Travel conditions: crowds, prices, openings
- Things to do in Normandy in November, special activities and events
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Travelling to Normandy in November: quick answers
What’s the weather like in Normandy in November? Is this a good time to visit?
In November, the climate is autumnal. It’s overcast most of the time and very cool, even cold. The wind is blowing hard along the coast, especially on heights exposed to the elements.
Visitors are few and far between, and prices are low, but this is not considered the best time to visit the region. It all depends on what you’re looking for.
Travelling to Normandy in November – summary of conditions
Temperatures
Temperatures are cool or cold. The thermometer averages between 10 and 12°C (50 and 54°F).
Water temperatures
In November, the sea is cool. Its average temperature is 15°C (59°F). As the air is even colder, it’s not a good time for a swim.
Crowds and prizes
There are very few tourists. Rates are therefore also very low.
Opening conditions
Most museums are still open, but most castles are not.
Day
The sun rises around 8.15am and sets around 5.30pm.
Best things to do in Normandy in November
In November, we enjoyed visiting these sites:
- The D-Day landing beaches and their museums
- Immerse yourself in history by visiting the region’s castles and abbeys
- The magnificent towns and villages of Normandy
- The beauty of the Alabaster Coast and its famous cliffs
- The incomparable Mont-Saint-Michel
- The magnificent cliffs of Étretat and the charm of Honfleur
- …
See our article on things to do in Normandy.
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities in Normandy
- Helicopter flight over the cliffs of the Côte d’Albâtre
- Book your time to visit Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey
- Take a microlight flight over Mont-Saint-Michel
- Climb the Via Ferrata in Switzerland Normandy
1. Climate in Normandy in November – weather forecast
Normandy is known for its oceanic climate. This is especially true on the coasts, where most of the holidaymakers’ favorite towns are located. Temperatures are moderate in both winter and summer. Rainfall is frequent in all seasons, but varies according to local relief and year.
In November, it’s very cool on the coast. It’s a very windy month. The heights on the most exposed coasts are subject to strong winds – near Cherbourg, for example. The sky is often overcast. On the sea side, the water temperature theoretically allows you to swim if you’re well equipped, but we avoid it because of the cold air. When we visit the region, we prefer indoor activities.
2. November temperatures in Normandy
Temperatures in Rouen:
- 9°C (48°F) on average
- Number of days with an average temperature of over 18°C = 1
- Number of days below 0°C = 1
Temperatures in Le Havre:
- 11°C (52°F) on average
- Number of days with an average temperature of over 18°C = 0
- Number of days below 0°C = 0
Temperatures in Caen:
- 10°C (50°F) on average
- Number of days with an average temperature of over 18°C = 0
- Number of days below 0°C = 0
Temperatures in Cherbourg:
- 11°C (52°F) on average
- Number of days with an average temperature of over 18°C = 0
- Number of days below 0°C = 0
Temperatures on Mont-Saint-Michel:
- 11°C (52°F) on average
- Number of days with an average temperature of over 18°C = 0
- Number of days below 0°C = 0
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
3. Rain in Normandy in November
It rains all year round in Normandy. Rainfall varies greatly from one year to the next, depending above all on the relief and exposure of your location. Cherbourg, for example, receives more rain than Caen, which is protected by hills.
It rains more often in November than the rest of the year.
- Rainfall in Rouen: 99 mm
(over 6 days on average) - Rainfall in Le Havre: 126 mm
(over 9 days on average) - Rainfall in Caen: 117 mm
(over 8 days on average) - Rainfall in Cherbourg: 128 mm
(over 9 days on average) - Rainfall on Mont-Saint-Michel: 131 mm
(over 9 days on average)
4. November sunshine in Normandy
In November, the days are short. The sun rises around 8.15am and sets around 5.30pm, with an average of 4 hours of sunshine.
WHERE TO STAY IN Normandy
We particularly appreciate staying in Normandy:
- Bayeux – our hotels selection
- Honfleur – our hotel selection
For more ideas, take a look at our article on the best places to stay in Normandy.
And if you already have an idea, take a look at our selections:
5. Water temperature – swimming in Normandy in November
November is not a good time for swimming in Normandy. The sea isn’t that cold if you’re well equipped, but other weather conditions are not conducive.
Below is the average sea temperature:
- Le Havre: 15°C (59°F)
- Cherbourg: 14°C (57°F)
- Mont-Saint-Michel: 15°C (59°F)
6. Wind in Normandy in November
Ocean means wind. In November, it blows hard along the coast, especially on higher ground. It’s a very windy month.
7. Crowds and other conditions
In November, there are very few tourists in Normandy. It’s low season. You’ll have no trouble finding a hotel or parking space. Please note: the All Saints’ Day vacations can attract a lot of tourists.
8. November events
- Foire Saint-Romain in Rouen
This funfair takes place in Rouen for a month, between October and November. It welcomes one and a half million visitors.
- Saint-Martin Fair in Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët
This festive agricultural fair takes place on the first weekend in November. 150,000 people come to enjoy the rides, unpacking and equipment displays… Local businesses also showcase their products.
- Cider and apple festivals
Many towns celebrate cider and apples between September and November: Rives-en-Seine, Vimoutiers, Beuvron-en-Auge, Conches-en-Ouche, Touques, Auppegard, etc.
- Scallop festivals
Normandy is the leading region for this product. Many towns organize these festivities from October to early December: Dieppe, Port-en-Bessin, Villers-sur-Mer, Granville, Ouistreham, Grandcamp-Maisy, Trouville-sur-Mer…
- Dieppe Herring and Scallop Fair
The festivities in Dieppe, France’s leading port for scallops, are the most impressive of all the festivals celebrating this product. 100,000 people attend every year.
- Festival Le Goût du large in Port-en-Bessin
As part of the scallop festival, Port-en-Bessin organizes this festival. It attracts 30,000 visitors over two days. There are concerts of sea chanteys, culinary and life-saving activities, lectures, exhibitions, guided tours, discovery of the fishing trades and much more.
- Herring fairs
In addition to Dieppe, several other towns in Normandy celebrate herring in November: Nullemont, Le Tréport, Lieurey, Gruchet le Valasse, Avremesnil, Clasville, Quiberville, Saint-Valéry-en-Caux and Fécamp.
- Christmas markets and events
As in the rest of France, Christmas markets and events (light displays, walks, shows…) are organized in many towns: Caen, Cherbourg, Le Havre… Rouen even organizes a parade with floats. Some markets open as early as late November.
USE OUR GUIDE TO PLAN A
DREAM TRIP TO Normandy
All the information you need for your trip:
- 8 maps that make planning easier
- 160+ pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
- 300+ photos to help you choose
9. November prices
As everywhere, prices vary depending on what you are looking for. We offer a wide range of accommodation, from campsites to 5-star hotels. It is therefore difficult to give a budget.
In November, prices are low due to the low number of visitors. However, they may increase during the All Saints’ vacation period.
When to go to Normandy, the other months…
- Normandy in January
- Normandy in February
- Normandy in March
- Normandy in April
- Normandy in May
- Normandy in June
- Normandy in July
- Normandy in August
- Normandy in September
- Normandy in October
- Normandy in November
- Normandy in December
Or read our article on when to go to Normandy.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Normandy
Inspiration destinations
- Deciding where to go in Normandy – the best destinations
- Our weekend ideas: best-of, romantic, unusual, seaside, luxury, family
- 16 seaside hotels in Normandy
- The most beautiful charming hotels in Normandy
Best of
Practice
- Where to stay in Normandy – best places and hotels
- See our tips for renting a car at CDG airport, Orly airport, Beauvais airport, Caen, Rouen, Bayeux…
