Lyon in November

November weather, activities, events & insider tips

November Weather in Lyon

11°C (52°F) High Temp

4°C (40°F) Low Temp

86 mm (3.4 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is November Right for You?

Advantages

Bouchon season peaks in November - traditional Lyonnaise restaurants serve hearty autumn dishes like coq au vin and pot-au-feu at their absolute best, with chestnuts and game meats featured prominently
Beaujolais Nouveau release (third Thursday) creates citywide celebration with wine bars offering tastings at €8-15 per glass, and locals gathering for informal street parties throughout Vieux Lyon
Tourist crowds drop 60% after October half-term, meaning you'll have Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière and Musée des Beaux-Arts nearly to yourself on weekdays
Indoor markets like Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse showcase peak autumn produce - wild mushrooms, winter squash, and seasonal charcuterie without summer heat affecting freshness

Considerations

Daylight drops to just 9 hours by late November (sunrise 7:45am, sunset 5pm), limiting outdoor exploration time and making evening photography challenging
Rain falls on 10+ days with persistent drizzle rather than quick showers - expect damp cobblestones in Vieux Lyon that can be slippery
Many outdoor terraces close or reduce seating, limiting the famous Lyonnaise café culture to indoor venues only

Best Activities in November

Traditional Bouchon Restaurant Tours

November is peak season for Lyon's legendary bouchons serving traditional Lyonnaise cuisine. Cool weather makes hearty dishes like quenelles de brochet and saucisson chaud perfect. Indoor venues stay cozy while outdoor dining shuts down. Local food tours typically cost €65-85 and include 4-5 tastings plus wine pairings.

Booking Tip: Reserve food tours 7-10 days ahead as November is prime bouchon season. Look for tours that include both traditional and contemporary bouchons. See current culinary tour options in the booking section below.

Beaujolais Wine Region Day Trips

Beaujolais Nouveau release in November makes this the most exciting month to visit wine regions just 45 km (28 miles) north of Lyon. Harvest celebrations continue through the month, vineyards offer special tastings, and autumn colors peak in mid-November. Day trips typically run €85-120 including transportation and 3-4 winery visits.

Booking Tip: Book Beaujolais tours 10-14 days ahead, especially for the Nouveau release weekend. Choose tours with indoor tasting rooms as outdoor vineyard picnics aren't available in November weather.

Traboules Walking Tours in Vieux Lyon

November's cool, crisp weather makes walking through Lyon's hidden traboules (passageways) ideal - no summer heat or winter ice. These Renaissance-era corridors stay dry during rain and offer fascinating glimpses into Lyon's silk-weaving history. Self-guided or group tours cost €15-25 and take 2-3 hours.

Booking Tip: Traboules tours work perfectly in November weather - cool enough for comfortable walking, and indoor passages provide rain shelter. Book guided tours for historical context or pick up maps from the tourist office for self-exploration.

Museum and Gallery Circuits

Short November days make indoor cultural activities perfect. Musée des Confluences, Musée des Beaux-Arts, and Institut Lumière offer world-class collections with minimal crowds. Combined museum passes cost €25-35 and many stay open until 6pm, maximizing limited daylight hours.

Booking Tip: Purchase Lyon City Card (€27 for 1 day, €37 for 2 days) which includes museum entries plus public transport. Museums are ideal for rainy days - about 40% of November days see precipitation.

Covered Market Food Tours

Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse and Marché Saint-Antoine showcase autumn's best produce without weather concerns. November brings wild mushrooms, seasonal cheeses, and holiday preparations. Food market tours typically cost €45-65 and include tastings from 6-8 vendors over 2.5 hours.

Booking Tip: Market tours work rain or shine since venues are covered. Book Tuesday-Saturday tours as Sunday markets have limited vendors. Morning tours (9:30am start) catch the best selection before popular items sell out.

Rhône River Cruise Tours

November river cruises offer unique perspectives of Lyon's illuminated architecture as early sunset (5pm by month's end) creates dramatic lighting. Enclosed, heated boats run daily with commentary in multiple languages. 1.5-hour cruises cost €18-28 and include optional wine service.

Booking Tip: Evening cruises are magical in November due to early darkness highlighting Lyon's famous illuminations. Book afternoon departures (3:30pm) to see both daylight and illuminated views. Boats are fully heated and enclosed.

November Events & Festivals

Third Thursday of November (November 21, 2025)

Beaujolais Nouveau Festival

Third Thursday of November marks the official release of Beaujolais Nouveau wine. Lyon's wine bars, bouchons, and markets celebrate with special tastings, street parties in Vieux Lyon, and themed menus pairing the young wine with traditional foods.

Late November

Fête des Lumières Preparation Events

While the main festival occurs in December, November features preview installations and technical tests of light displays throughout the city, especially around Place Bellecour and Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Waterproof walking shoes with good grip - cobblestones in Vieux Lyon become extremely slippery when wet, and rain falls on 10+ days in November

Compact umbrella plus light rain jacket - November rain tends to be steady drizzle rather than heavy downpours, lasting 2-4 hours at a time

Layered clothing system - temperatures range from 4°C (40°F) early morning to 11°C (52°F) afternoon, with significant variation between sunny and cloudy periods

Portable phone charger - short daylight hours (only 9 hours by late November) mean you'll rely heavily on phone flashlights and maps

Warm scarf and light gloves - evening temperatures drop quickly after 5pm sunset, especially when walking along the Rhône riverfront

Small daypack for market visits - covered markets like Les Halles de Lyon are prime November activities and you'll want hands free for tastings

Cash in small denominations - traditional bouchons and market vendors often prefer cash, and tipping is customary for food tours

Comfortable indoor shoes - you'll spend significant time in museums, churches, and restaurants due to weather limitations

Insider Knowledge

Locals avoid tourist restaurants during Beaujolais Nouveau week and instead visit neighborhood caves à vin (wine cellars) where bottles cost €8-12 versus €15-20 in tourist areas near Bellecour

The real bouchon experience happens at lunch (11:30am-2pm) when working Lyonnais fill these restaurants - dinner service caters more to tourists and lacks authentic atmosphere

Use Lyon's extensive traboule network as covered walkways during rain - locals cut through these Renaissance passageways to stay dry while moving between districts

November is renovation season for many restaurants - always check current opening status before walking to specific venues, especially in tourist-heavy Vieux Lyon

Avoid These Mistakes

Assuming outdoor terraces will be available - most close completely in November or offer minimal heated seating, so don't plan itineraries around outdoor dining

Underestimating how early darkness falls - by late November, sunset is 5pm, making afternoon activities feel rushed if you're trying to see multiple outdoor sites

Wearing inadequate footwear for wet cobblestones - smooth-soled shoes become dangerously slippery on Lyon's historic stone streets when damp