What to do in Paris in September
September in Paris starts la rentrée, the end of summer break, and the start of the re-entry into a routine and, of course, back to school after summer vacation. August is a quiet month in Paris, and many locals escape the city for a vacation to the beach or countryside. The city is full of energy during le rentrée. Parisians are seeing their friends and co-workers after being away for the summer months. Paris in September is a great time to visit if you have the opportunity.
What to do in Paris in September
The month of September is filled with activities in Paris. Tourism is still in the high season. Paris doesn’t slow down until the end of October and the beginning of November. Tourism rates are at record levels now post-pandemic, so if you are planning a visit this year, consider that the city will be busy. I would plan in terms of hotel and restaurant bookings.
Paris September Weather
Parisian weather is still reasonably warm in September, with summer-like temperatures cooling off towards the end of the month. Keep an eye on the weather before traveling because you will likely have rain during this time. The average high temperature in September is in the 70s, and the lows are in the 50s.
European Heritage Days
On the second weekend in Paris, many buildings and historical spaces typically closed to the public are open for a special viewing. I highly recommend visiting the élysée Palace or the Arc de Triomphe. The third weekend of September is also known as journées du patrimoine in French. You can check out this post for more information on Heritage Days in Paris. It is broken down into arrondissements so you can plan your visits. You will want to prepare well, as there is limited time and so many incredible buildings to explore.
A few years ago, I visited the Luxembourg Palace and Hôtel de Ville (city hall) in September. See below for the view of Notre Dame from Hôtel de Ville on a rainy September evening. It was well worth the wait for this view. I was one of the last people let in for the evening.
What to do in Paris in September: Flâneur
Flâneur is one of my favorite activities to do in Paris. In English, it means to stroll without purpose. Turn your phone on airplane mode, unplug, and walk the streets of Paris. Enjoy an afternoon at a terrace café, where you can people-watch. Explore a new neighborhood in Paris. The Bois de Boulogne is a beautiful place to see Paris in the fall.
If you haven’t explored Montmartre, make an afternoon out of it. Rue des Abbesses is the main street and metro stop for Montmartre. I would skip Moulin Rouge and take in the view from the steps of Sacre Coeur.
This blog post highlights where to eat, drink, and explore in Montmartre.
Paris Fashion Week in September
Paris Fashion Week occurs in September. The dates vary a bit from year to year. Many shows are closed to the public and are invitation-only. Some of the best places to see Paris street fashion are the Tuileries Gardens and Rue Saint-Honoré. Grab a spot at a café on Rue Saint-Honoré and enjoy colorful outfits and people-watching.
What to do in Paris in September: Fête des Jardins
This garden and urban agriculture festival takes place on the last weekend of September. There are over 150 places open to the public, including one of my favorites, Parc Monceau. The weekend programming is centered around environmental issues, as well as children and adults.
Paris Museums to Visit in September
If this is your first trip to Paris, you will want to visit famous museums, including the Louvre Museum, to see the Mona Lisa and the Musée d’Orsay. I recommend booking online to avoid a long line, as these are the most famous museums. You can also visit the Centre Pompidou for contemporary art and l’Orangerie to see the Water Lilies by Claude Monet. You can invest in a Paris Pass, saving you money and time as you navigate the city. I recommend chunking some of your museums on consecutive days.
September Day Trips from Paris
Versailles is a great place to visit for a day trip. It can be quickly reached by private car or RER C train from the city’s center. I recommend purchasing a Paris Pass or tickets in advance to skip the line. This time of year, it will still be busy. You can enjoy a bike ride through the town, and there is a market where you can purchase picnic items for lunch in the gardens. There is plenty to see in Versailles to keep you busy for a full day. You can take a guided tour of Versailles for a more in-depth visit.
You can also visit the Loire Valley, which is a popular day trip from Paris. I haven’t been, but it has always been on my list to visit.
Spend an Afternoon in The Latin Quarter
Enjoy the city of light from the rooftop at Hotel Dame des Arts. You will find incredible views of the city, including Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower. Right before sunset is the best time to reserve a table. Autumn sunsets are incredibly colorful, and you cannot beat the view. It is one of the best in the city.
Where to Picnic in Paris in September
Buying a baguette, cheese, charcuterie, and wine from local vendors or a market in different parts of Paris is easy. A few key words: a fromagerie is a cheese shop, a boulangerie is to buy a baguette, and you can buy charcuterie at a boucher. (butcher) They will sell all of these items at a market or grocery store.
Here are 10 key phrases for navigating Paris. It is helpful to be familiar with these phrases before navigating Paris.
I recommend buying the items from an individual shop because the products are of much higher quality. A little French goes a long way, so don’t forget your bonjour and merci. They will help you with recommendations and most likely speak English.
The base of the Seine River is the perfect place for a picnic. The Seine runs through the heart of Paris and separates the left and right banks. You will see plenty of tourists and Parisians enjoying a picnic. This is a solo activity, a date night, or something to do with friends.
Explore the Parisian Parks in September
In September, the colors of Fall start to turn, and you can see this as you walk around the city. The Parisian parks are free and an excellent place for a picnic, people-watching, or walking. Many of the parks have kid-friendly activities.
There is a sandbox towards the end of the Palais Royal. You can also grab a coffee at Café Kitsuné nearby while your kids burn off some energy.
In the Jardin des Tuileries, there is a playground and a trampoline park. And a carousel for kids. You can grab sandwiches or pastries nearby to enjoy in the gardens. The Tuileries Gardens also have great people watching around the fountains.
Luxembourg Gardens is a beautiful park located on the left bank of Paris. There are wooden boats for kids to push around, which you can rent by the hour. It helps balance out the walking and sightseeing. If you are solo, bring a book or lunch and enjoy the colors of the start of the fall season.
What to Wear in Paris in September
There will be plenty of sunny days in September, so don’t forget your sunglasses and sunscreen. There is always a chance of rain in Paris, so I recommend a packable umbrella for your day bag. I like to stick with neutral colors of black and white and add a pop of color. This makes it easy to pack for Paris and add a silk scarf or red lipstick.
Paris in September will be just on the cusp of sweater weather. Pack a few light sweaters and a jacket, depending on the weather forecast. A trench coat is perfect in terms of weight for keeping warm. You can easily get away with a leather jacket this time of year.
You can see my full post on what to wear in Paris in the autumn here.
Where to Stay in Paris in September
Paris puts on a show when it comes to fall colors at the start of September. During September, the city’s light changes to a magical golden light, illuminating streets and cafés. One of my favorite hotels in Paris to enjoy in September is Pavillon de la Reine. The facade is covered in ivy, and it changes to red progressively through the month.
For more favorite hotels in Paris, you can check out this post.
Getting Around Paris in September
Paris is a very walkable city. You can get from the Eiffel Tower to the Marais (one side to the other) in under an hour. The Paris metro has lines running all over the city. There are metro stations close to every monument and popular attraction you can think of.
To buy a ticket with euros at the base of the metro. For larger metro stops, there are multiple entrances, and you may have to try more than one to find a ticket vendor. They also run on an electronic pass system called the Navigo.
If you are walking in Paris, make sure to pack comfortable walking shoes. Sneakers can be very fashionable. I recommend either the Veja sneakers or these other options, which are only $100 and so cute, and are great for walking around Paris. When the weather turns in September, you might want to consider booties. I love these from Blondo, and they are waterproof.
If this is your first time in Paris, enjoy this blog post. It offers helpful tips on museum passes, parks, what to skip, and what to prioritize when visiting.
Seine River Cruise
If this is your first time visiting Paris, I recommend a river cruise down the Seine. It is one of the best things you can do to see the city. There are several boat options, most of which are just an hour long. I always recommend the Batobus Paris because you can purchase a one—or two-day pass and hop on and off.
The boat stops at all the major attractions in the city, and you can use it to get around. This is a fun way to break up the day if you have kids.
Pro tip: The Eiffel Tower sparkles every hour on the hour after sunset, making it an excellent opportunity to catch it at sunset or as it sparkles. It is pretty magical to see this from a boat along the Seine.
I also love WeBoat if you are looking to rent a private boat for a cruise down the Seine.
I hope you have found this post helpful for ideas for Paris in September.
*This post includes affiliate links. I earn a small commission on items purchased from my links. Merci!
Bonjour, I’m Rebecca!
I’m a photographer, blogger, croissant-lover, and world traveler. I hope that Everyday Parisian inspires you by bringing a bit of France into your daily life and helps you plan the best trip to Paris with personalized recommendations for places to stay, explore, and eat.
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Thank you. This is perfect. Going with a friend – it’s her first visit. Paris in September is gorgeous.
You might want to be more accurate for your readers. It is RER “C” for Versailles and Heritage Days aka Les Journees du Patrimonie happens on the Third weekend of Sept and it the second.
My mom and I are planning our first trip abroad to Paris, in Sept. 2025, and we are super excited! This post was exactly what I needed, and I will be sharing it with my mom.
Thank you, Vanessa! I hope you have the best trip with your mom. xo
** just a note, you write that Sept is wet and the next sentence says September I’d the driest month. Then further on you say it will be wet to bring an umbrella.
Thank you so much for catching that for me 🙂