November in Cannes is the quiet exhale after 6 months of Riviera performance. The film stars left in May, the beach clubs shuttered their mattresses in October, and La Croisette belongs to joggers and retirees again. Daytime temperatures hover around 17°C (63°F), pleasant enough in the midday sun but dropping to about 9°C (49°F) after dark, the kind of chill that catches you off guard if you showed up expecting the Côte d'Azur of postcards. You'll likely get around 7 rainy days and 81mm of rainfall across the month, though most showers pass within an hour or two and leave the limestone of Le Suquet smelling like wet stone and pine.
To be fair, there's a particular calm to Cannes in November that some travelers actively seek out. The Marché Forville fills with early-season black truffles and fresh olive oil from the autumn press, still cloudy and sharp with pepper. Restaurant tables that require connections in July are half-empty on a Tuesday evening. Hotel rates on La Croisette drop to roughly 40-50% of their May peak. You can walk into the Musée de la Castre without another visitor in sight.
That said, this is not the Cannes of popular imagination. The private beach concessions along Boulevard de la Croisette are dismantled. Nightlife thins out considerably, especially midweek. The sea temperature sits around 17-18°C, which is swimmable for the stubborn but not for most. If your vision of Cannes involves cocktails on a beach lounger and celebrity sightings near the Palais des Festivals, November will disappoint. If you want the Riviera's light, its markets, and its food without the performance, it tends to be a surprisingly rewarding month.
Why visit in November
- Hotel rates along La Croisette and Rue d'Antibes drop 40-50% from summer peak, and negotiation is possible at smaller hotels in Le Suquet and La Bocca
- The Marché Forville is at its autumn best, with early black truffles from Var and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, fresh-pressed olive oil, and wild mushrooms like girolles and cèpes
- The Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes Nice-Cannes in early November brings 10,000+ runners along one of Europe's most scenic coastal routes, finishing on La Croisette
- You can visit the Îles de Lérins (Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat) without the summer queues. The November light on the water crossing is soft and golden
Worth knowing
- Beach infrastructure is dismantled. Private beach restaurants, loungers, and the social scene that defines summer Cannes are gone until April or May
- About 7 rainy days per month with 81mm of rainfall, and when the Mistral blows down from the Rhône Valley, wind chill can push the perceived temperature well below the 9°C overnight low
- Nightlife options thin dramatically outside weekends. Many seasonal bars and clubs in the Palm Beach area close for winter by late October
- Daylight drops to about 10 hours, with sunset around 17:10, which limits late-afternoon sightseeing compared to the 21:00 sunsets of June
Best for
Think twice if
November marks the shift into Cannes's cooler season. Daytime highs typically reach 17.2°C (63°F), comfortable in direct sun but noticeably cool in shade or wind. Overnight lows drop to 9.4°C (49°F), and the Mistral wind can push the perceived temperature lower still. Expect around 81mm of rain spread across roughly 7 days, usually in short, heavy bursts rather than all-day drizzle. Humidity sits at about 66%, which feels moderate. Mornings can carry a damp chill, especially near the port. The Mediterranean is too cool for most swimmers at 17-18°C. Clear days still deliver the Côte d'Azur's famously sharp light, and afternoon sun on a sheltered terrace in Le Suquet can feel deceptively warm.
Seasonal caution
- The Mistral wind can arrive without much warning, dropping perceived temperatures by 5-8°C and creating choppy seas. Ferries to the Îles de Lérins may be cancelled on Mistral days, so check conditions before heading to the Quai Laubeuf dock.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 13 | 6 | 88 |
| Feb | 14 | 7 | 71 |
| Mar | 16 | 8 | 101 |
| Apr | 18 | 10 | 75 |
| May | 22 | 14 | 58 |
| Jun | 27 | 19 | 52 |
| Jul | 30 | 22 | 10 |
| Aug | 31 | 22 | 32 |
| Sep | 26 | 18 | 62 |
| Oct | 22 | 15 | 123 |
| Nov | 17 | 9 | 81 |
| Dec | 14 | 7 | 78 |
Best things to do in November
Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes Nice-Cannes
sportsOne of France's most scenic road races. The course follows the Baie des Anges and the Corniche from Nice's Promenade des Anglais to La Croisette in Cannes, 42.195km of Mediterranean coastline. Even as a spectator, the finish-line atmosphere on La Croisette has a festive energy unusual for November Cannes. About 10,000 runners typically participate.
Held the first or second Sunday of November. The cooler temperatures (12-17°C at race time) are ideal for distance running along the coast.Booking tipRegister by September if you want to run. Spectators need no booking. Position yourself near the Palais des Festivals for the finish, or at the halfway point in Cagnes-sur-Mer for a quieter view.
Truffle hunting in the Var backcountry
food and drinkSeveral farms in the hills behind Cannes, particularly around Aups and Tourtour in Haut-Var (about 90 minutes north), offer truffle-hunting outings with trained dogs through oak and hazelnut groves. You follow the dog, watch the dig, and then eat what was found. The damp November soil and cool mornings are when the tuber melanosporum starts producing its scent compounds.
Late November marks the opening of truffle season in Provence. The truffles are young and the dogs are fresh.Booking tipBook at least 2 weeks ahead. Most farms cap groups at 6-8 people and November weekends fill quickly with locals.
Day trip to Grasse perfume houses
cultureThe perfume capital sits 17km north of Cannes in the hills. November's quiet means you can tour the historic factories of Fragonard, Galimard, and Molinard without summer's tour-bus crowds. The cool air sharpens the scents as you walk between rooms. Some houses offer workshops where you blend your own fragrance in about 90 minutes.
Summer crowds drop by roughly 60-70% at the major perfumeries. No queuing, more personal attention from guides, and workshops that were fully booked in August have openings.Booking tipWorkshops at Galimard and Molinard fill faster than Fragonard's. Book 3-5 days ahead for a weekend workshop.
Île Sainte-Marguerite autumn walk
natureThe larger of the two Lérins Islands sits 15 minutes by ferry from Cannes's Quai Laubeuf. In November, the Aleppo pines and eucalyptus groves are quiet, the Fort Royal (where the Man in the Iron Mask was held) has almost no visitors, and the rocky coves on the south shore are yours alone. The low-angle November light through the pine canopy is the kind of thing photographers wake up early for.
Summer visitor numbers on Sainte-Marguerite can reach several thousand per day. November drops to a few dozen. Ferries still run, though on a reduced winter schedule of 2-3 departures per day.Booking tipCheck the ferry schedule at Trans Côte d'Azur the day before. Mistral winds can cancel crossings with short notice. The first morning ferry gives you the island almost entirely to yourself.
Explore Le Suquet without the crowds
sightseeingCannes's oldest quarter climbs steeply from the western end of the old port to the church of Notre-Dame d'Espérance and the Musée de la Castre, housed in the medieval watchtower. In November, the narrow stone staircases are free of the tour groups that clog them in summer. You can hear your own footsteps on the worn stone. The terrace by the Castre has one of the best panoramic views of the bay, the Esterel hills, and on clear days, the snow-touched Alps.
Low tourist traffic means you can linger on the narrow lanes of Rue du Mont Chevalier and Rue Saint-Antoine without squeezing past crowds. The oblique November sun hits the old facades at angles you never see in high summer.Wine tasting in Bellet and the Cannes backcountry
food and drinkThe Bellet AOC vineyards on the hills above Nice (30 minutes east) and smaller domaines around Mougins and Le Cannet produce wines rarely seen outside the region. November is post-harvest, when vignerons have more time to host visitors. Tasting rooms in Bellet sit on terraced hillsides with views over the Baie des Anges. The local white Rolle grape produces a mineral, saline wine that pairs with the regional cuisine.
Harvest finished in October, and winemakers are less rushed. Appointments that are hard to get in tourist season open up. New vintages are in barrel and winemakers are often willing to discuss the year.Booking tipEmail domaines directly 1 week ahead. Most do not accept walk-ins. Château de Bellet and Clos Saint-Vincent are the best-known producers.
Autumn market mornings at Marché Forville
food and drinkCannes's covered market in the Forville quarter runs every morning except Monday. November mornings bring cèpes, girolles, and the first black truffles alongside autumn squashes, fresh walnuts, and still-warm tapenade. The stallholders are more conversational in the off-season. The smell of ripe cheese and fresh herbs mixes with coffee from the surrounding cafés. On Saturday mornings, a brocante (flea market) replaces the food stalls in the outdoor section.
Autumn produce peaks in November, and stallholders have time to talk and offer samples. The truffle vendors appear in late November, setting out their small dark lumps on white cloths.What to eat in November
On menus now
Daube provençale
This slow-braised beef stew simmered in red wine with orange peel, olives, and herbes de Provence is the defining comfort dish of Provençal winter. Restaurants in Le Suquet and along Rue Meynadier start putting it on menus as temperatures drop. The warm, wine-rich smell fills small dining rooms. Some places serve it over fresh pasta rather than the traditional potatoes.
Street food peaks
Socca
This chickpea-flour pancake is a Niçois street food that Cannes claims too. Crispy on the edges, soft and custardy in the center, dusted with black pepper. November's cooler air makes the contrast of the hot, slightly charred socca against the chill particularly satisfying. The Marché Forville area has reliable vendors.
Châtaignes grillées
Roasted chestnuts from the Maures and Esterel hills appear at street stalls and markets in November. The sweet, starchy smell of chestnuts roasting on a steel drum is one of the clearest seasonal markers on the Côte d'Azur. Vendors near the Gare de Cannes and along Rue Meynadier sell them in paper cones.
What to drink
Vin nouveau
Beaujolais Nouveau arrives on the third Thursday of November, and Cannes's wine bars and restaurants mark the occasion. But the local angle is vin nouveau from Provence AOC producers in Var and Bouches-du-Rhône, lighter rosés and reds released young. Bars along Rue du Commandant André stock local bottles alongside the Beaujolais.
In markets
Truffe noire du Var
Early-season black truffles (Tuber melanosporum) start appearing at Marché Forville from Var and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence producers in late November. They tend to be smaller and milder than the January peak, but the price is lower and local restaurants build tasting menus around them. You might catch the earthy, almost garlicky scent drifting from the market stalls on a still morning.
Huile d'olive nouvelle
November is olive harvest season across Provence. Fresh-pressed oil, still cloudy and vivid green, appears at Marché Forville and farm shops around Mougins and Grasse within days of pressing. The flavor is peppery, almost grassy, nothing like the smooth supermarket bottles. Locals drizzle it over warm bread or soupe au pistou.
Regular events in November
Armistice Day ceremoniesFree
November 11 is a national public holiday in France marking the 1918 armistice. Cannes holds a morning ceremony at the war memorial on La Croisette near the Palais des Festivals. A wreath-laying, municipal officials, veterans. Banks and many shops close for the day, but restaurants stay open.
November 11Beaujolais Nouveau release
The third Thursday of November. Wine bars and restaurants across Cannes pour the year's new Beaujolais alongside local Provence vin nouveau. Bars along Rue du Commandant André and the port area typically host informal tastings. It is more of a rolling evening event than a formal occasion.
Third Thursday of NovemberFoire aux Santons at nearby Mougins or AntibesFree
Santon fairs selling the traditional Provençal clay nativity figures begin appearing in the Alpes-Maritimes in mid-to-late November. Mougins (6km from Cannes) and Antibes (11km) typically host theirs before Cannes's own Christmas markets open in December. The figurines depict village characters, from the baker to the fishmonger, painted by hand.
Mid-to-late November through DecemberMarathon des Alpes-Maritimes Nice-Cannes weekend eventsFree
The marathon weekend includes a race expo in Nice, a 5km and 10km fun run on Saturday, and the full marathon on Sunday. The finish area on La Croisette has food stalls, music, and a small festival atmosphere that lifts the November quiet for the weekend.
First or second weekend of NovemberBest places this November
Le Suquet
neighborhoodThe old town rises above the western port on a steep hill. November strips away the crowds and reveals its bones. Narrow lanes of pale stone, cats on windowsills, laundry on lines. The climb to Notre-Dame d'Espérance at the top takes about 10 minutes and rewards with a panoramic view of the bay. The Musée de la Castre, inside the 11th-century watchtower, holds a small but worthwhile collection of Mediterranean antiquities and musical instruments from Asia and Oceania.
Le SuquetMarché Forville
marketCannes's main covered market, 2 blocks inland from the old port. Tuesday through Sunday mornings for food (truffles, olives, cheese, socca), Monday mornings for a brocante flea market. In November, the autumn produce is at its peak and the vendors are unhurried. The building itself is a concrete shell, nothing pretty, but the contents are the draw.
ForvilleÎle Sainte-Marguerite
islandThe larger Lérins island, 15 minutes by ferry. Dense pine and eucalyptus forest, rocky swimming coves on the south shore, and the Fort Royal where the Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned. The Musée de la Mer inside the fort holds Roman shipwreck artifacts. November's reduced ferry schedule (2-3 boats per day) means few visitors. Bring a packed lunch, as the island's sole café may be closed.
Îles de LérinsRue Meynadier
streetA pedestrian shopping street running from the Marché Forville to Rue d'Antibes. Less polished than La Croisette, more local. Cheese shops, bakeries, charcuteries, and a few wine merchants. In November, the holiday window displays start appearing in late month. The fromageries stock Beaufort d'alpage and fresh chèvre from the autumn milk.
ForvilleLa Croisette promenade
promenadeThe 2km waterfront boulevard from the Palais des Festivals to the Pointe de la Croisette. In November, without the beach clubs and crowds, you can actually appreciate the Belle Époque architecture of the grand hotels (the Carlton, the Martinez, the Majestic). Morning walks here have a particular quality. The light bounces off a calm sea, palm trees line the road, and you might share the sidewalk with a few locals and their dogs.
La CroisetteLa Malmaison
galleryA small art gallery occupying the ground floor of the Grand Hotel on La Croisette. It hosts 2-3 exhibitions per year, typically modern and contemporary art. November often falls within a late-autumn exhibition run. The space is intimate, 3 rooms, and rarely crowded. Free or low-cost entry depending on the show.
La CroisetteNotre-Dame d'Espérance
churchThe 16th-century church at the summit of Le Suquet, built on the site of an earlier chapel. The Gothic nave is unexpectedly large for a hilltop church. In November, the silence inside is complete. The terrace outside looks east over the port and south toward the Esterel mountains. On clear November mornings, you can see snow on the Maritime Alps to the north.
Le SuquetLe Cannet hillside
neighborhoodThe commune above Cannes where Pierre Bonnard spent his last years. The Musée Bonnard holds a rotating collection of his sun-drenched paintings, and the narrow streets around it have a village feel distinct from Cannes proper. In November, the autumn light on the terra-cotta roofs approaches something Bonnard himself would have painted. The walk uphill from central Cannes takes about 25 minutes.
Le Cannet
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Insider tips
Marché Forville prices drop in the last 30 minutes before closing, around 12:30-13:00. Stallholders would rather sell cheese and produce at a discount than pack it up. This works better midweek than on busy Saturday mornings.
If the Mistral is blowing (you will know, it rattles shutters), skip the Île Sainte-Marguerite ferry and head inland to Mougins or Grasse instead. The 20-minute drive north puts you in shelter, and Mougins has a cluster of good restaurants around its fortified village center that are half-empty in November.
The Saturday brocante at Marché Forville (replacing the food market) is where locals hunt for Provençal ceramics, old copper pots, and vintage linen. Arrive before 09:00 for the best selection. Prices are lower than the antique shops on Rue d'Antibes by a wide margin.
For the best view of the bay without the climb to Le Suquet, walk to the eastern end of the Pointe de la Croisette near the Palm Beach casino. In November, the headland is deserted and you get a 270-degree view of the Esterel, the old port, and the Lérins islands.
Restaurant reservations are almost never needed in November except on marathon weekend. Walk into places on Rue Saint-Antoine in Le Suquet or Rue du Commandant André near the port and you will likely get a good table without waiting.
Avoid these mistakes
- Assuming beach clubs are open. Every private beach concession on La Croisette dismantles its infrastructure by late October. The public beaches still exist, but there are no loungers, no service, and no windbreaks. Showing up with a beach-holiday itinerary leads to disappointment.
- Booking a ferry to Île Sainte-Marguerite without checking the day's Mistral forecast. The crossing can be cancelled with as little as 2 hours notice when winds exceed 50-60 km/h. Check the Météo-France marine forecast for the Var coast that morning before heading to Quai Laubeuf.
- Planning a full shopping day on November 11 (Armistice Day). It is a national holiday, and most non-restaurant businesses close. Rue d'Antibes and the shops around the Palais des Festivals will be shut. Restaurants and cafés stay open, but banks, boutiques, and the post office do not.
- Packing only summer clothes because it is the south of France. November nights at 9°C (49°F) with wind chill feel cold, especially if you are walking along the exposed Croisette after dinner. Multiple visitors each year get caught shivering in linen trousers and sandals.
Practical tips for November
November hours differ from summer across Cannes. The Musée de la Castre and La Malmaison shift to reduced winter schedules, typically closing by 17:00 instead of 19:00, and the Castre closes on Mondays year-round. Ferries to the Îles de Lérins run on a winter timetable of 2-3 departures per day from Trans Côte d'Azur at Quai Laubeuf, down from summer's departures every 30-60 minutes. Book nothing in advance except marathon-weekend hotels and truffle-hunting outings. Restaurants do not require reservations. Dress code in Cannes is slightly more formal than other Riviera towns, even in November. A collared shirt or neat sweater gets better treatment in nicer restaurants than athleisure. Tipping is included in French bills (service compris), but rounding up by 1-2 EUR or leaving 5-10% for excellent service is appreciated. The Nice Côte d'Azur airport (NCE) is 25km east and connected by the 210 express bus (about 45 minutes, under 2 EUR) or train from Nice-Ville. November flight prices to Nice drop considerably from summer peak, especially midweek.
FAQ
Is November a good time to visit Cannes?
It depends what you want. For a quiet, affordable trip focused on food, markets, autumn walks, and Provençal culture without crowds, November is a good fit. For beach life, nightlife, or the glamour Cannes is famous for, it is not. The weather is mild but cool, averaging 17°C (63°F) during the day and 9°C (49°F) at night. Rain is possible but rarely lasts all day. It ranks around 8th out of 12 months for visiting, behind the May-to-October stretch but ahead of the deep-winter months.
What is the weather like in Cannes in November?
Average highs of 17.2°C (63°F) and lows of 9.4°C (49°F), with about 81mm of rainfall across 7 rainy days. Humidity sits around 66%. Clear days are bright and pleasant in the sun, but the Mistral wind can arrive without warning and make it feel significantly colder. Sea temperature is 17-18°C, too cool for most swimmers. Pack layers, a rain jacket, and closed-toe shoes.
Is Cannes crowded in November?
No. November is one of the quietest months in Cannes. The summer tourists and May's film-festival crowds are long gone. You will share La Croisette with joggers and locals. The Îles de Lérins ferries carry handfuls of passengers instead of hundreds. The one exception is the Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes weekend (first or second Sunday), when runners and supporters fill hotels in both Nice and Cannes for 2-3 days.
Are restaurants open in Cannes in November?
Most year-round restaurants in Le Suquet, along Rue Meynadier, and near the port stay open through November. Some seasonal restaurants and beach-club dining rooms close from late October until March or April. You will still have plenty of options, and reservations are rarely needed. Marché Forville operates every morning except Monday.
How do I get from Nice airport to Cannes in November?
The same way as any month. The 210 express bus runs from Nice Côte d'Azur airport (NCE) to Cannes Gare Routière in about 45 minutes and costs under 2 EUR. Alternatively, take the airport shuttle to Nice-Ville station and catch a TER train along the coast (30-40 minutes, about 7-8 EUR). Taxis cost 70-90 EUR fixed rate. November schedules are the same as winter year-round, with no reductions from the standard timetable.
Things to Do in Cannes in November
Free cancellation Yacht Me Up All Inclusive Private Cruise Cannes Lérins Sailing
Day trip — 4 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Cruise / Navigation / Sunset in the Lerins Islands
Day trip — 3.5 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Eze and Monaco Private Half-Day Tour
Day trip — 5 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Monaco and Eze Small Group Day Trip from Cannes
Day trip — 10 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Taste Cannes – A Full French Riviera Food Tour by Do Eat Better
Day trip — 3.5 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation The best French Riviera Full-Day from Cannes Small-Group Shore Excursion
Day trip — 9 hours, free cancellation.
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