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Paris in September: everything you need to know

If you're planning a trip to Paris in September and you're wondering if there are any must-see events besides the obligatory sightseeing? You're reading the right article!

Carmen Navarro

Carmen Navarro

9 min read

Paris in September: everything you need to know

Louvre Museum, Paris, France | ©Canmandawe

September is an ideal month to visit Paris and enjoy the autumn weather in the city. In addition, there are a lot of interesting events taking place. Here are all the things you can do to have the time of your life in Paris in September.

1. Discover the most emblematic buildings in Paris (mostly free of charge) during the European Heritage Days

Elysée Palace| ©Steve Knight
Elysée Palace| ©Steve Knight

The European Heritage Days take place every year on the third weekend of September in Paris. During these days, the most important buildings, museums and monuments open their doors to the public to reveal their most intimate secrets.

For two days, you can visit many places and monuments, some of which are not usually open to the public. This is the case, for example, of the Elysée Palace, the French presidential residence.

However, the list of monuments is quite extensive, so this Parisian weekend is the perfect time to visit the best museums in Paris and the places that interest you the most. You can visit the Cirque Bouglione, the Institut de France or the famous Galeries Lafayette, among others.

You can also get your tickets to climb the Eiffel Tower and take a picture from the top of the famous Trocadero Square. Other monuments you can see are the beautiful Sacré Coeur Basilica, the Ministry of Justice and... Yes! You can also book a guided tour of the Louvre Museum, no queues.

Book a guided tour of Paris

2. Dance and enjoy good music at the Jazz à la Villette festival

Paris Jazz Festival| ©InfoParis
Paris Jazz Festival| ©InfoParis

Paris is one of the international capitals of jazz music and in September it hosts a unique and magical Jazz à la Villette festival.

Therefore, if you are in Paris during the first days of September, you can not miss any of the concerts of this festival. In its program, you can find world-renowned artists, but also local artists and true innovators of jazz able to represent all styles.

Every year, more than 30,000 fans gather in the various venues of La Villette to see their favorite artists and also to discover new talents (at the Cabaret Sauvage, at the Philharmonie de Paris...).

The music festival is often accompanied by other interesting activities: exhibitions, masterclasses, film screenings, etc. Also, if you are interested in cultural events, you can't forget to pay a visit to the Opera Garnier. In short, you are in a perfect environment to enjoy the powerful cultural range offered by a city like Paris.

Book a guided tour at the Opéra Garnier

3. See one of the Autumn Festival shows

Autumn in Paris| ©Cliffano Subagio
Autumn in Paris| ©Cliffano Subagio

November marks the beginning of one of the most important cultural festivals in the city: the Autumn Festival.

Since 1972, this festival is responsible for bringing a huge program of cultural events covering music, film, theater and dance, among other disciplines. So, if you are passionate about culture, you are in the right place at the right time.

The Autumn Festival hosts a total of 50 shows and starts in the month of September, but extends until December and maybe a little longer. These shows take place in different Parisian venues, each one more emblematic: at the Musée d'Orsay, at the Théâtre de la Bastille, at the Pompidou Center, etc.

If you are in Paris in September, take a look at the festival's program and choose one of its shows to have a great time. Another excellent idea for your trip would be to book tickets for the Moulin Rouge, the most famous cabaret in the world - you will love it!

Book your tickets to the Musée d'Orsay

4. Go to the Techno Parade and 'browse' the environment

At the Techno Parade| ©Olivier Ortelpa
At the Techno Parade| ©Olivier Ortelpa

If you like electronic music, you should definitely come to enjoy the Techno Parade that takes place in September. In this celebration, more than 400,000 lovers of this genre of music come together.

The streets and avenues of Paris become a visual and sonorous spectacle with colorful floats, flashy costumes, music, and a spectacular festive atmosphere.

The Paris Techno Parade begins with a parade of floats carrying large loudspeakers with electronic music and a multitude of variations. The people on the floats dance and enjoy the moment, as do the people strolling through the streets accompanying the parade.

In addition, the organization of the festival brings a number of international DJs so that people do not stop dancing throughout the day and throughout the night. Therefore, after the parade, the party continues in the nightclubs of the city.

If you want to discover Paris as if you were on one of the Techno Parade floats, you can choose some of the best tourist buses of the city and discover its most interesting places without getting tired.

5. Attend the Paris Design Week and learn about design and decoration

Craft Workshop| ©julian mora
Craft Workshop| ©julian mora

The famous Paris Design Week also takes place in September, so if you are in the city around that time and want to learn about design and decoration, you just have to discover the festival program and take note of the activities that interest you.

Paris Design Week presents the new fashion collections of the greatest designers known: Christian Dior, Iris Van Herpen, Stella McCartney and even Channel. However, we are not only in front of the typical parades that we see on television, but in this week there are also other activities for the ordinary citizen.

For example, design and decoration workshops are held, there are free exhibitions related to the theme, contests are held and furniture houses, many of them, present their novelties. Therefore, it is a very interesting week for people interested in this sector.

In addition, if you know how to get around Paris, the city itself is organized in thematic tours: digital design, architecture and design, art and design, gastronomic design, design in France. Each person can choose the one that interests them the most, take a look at the event's program and take the tour. It's a marvel!

6. Celebrate the beginning of autumn at the 'Fete des Jardins a Paris'

Notre Dame| ©Adrienn
Notre Dame| ©Adrienn

Autumn kicks off in September with the 'Festival des Jardins de Paris'. During the two days of the festival, the area surrounding the imposing church of Notre Dame becomes a huge garden with very interesting activities.

In fact, all the gardens and parks of the city join the celebration and prepare parties and events for young and old. For example, you can participate in gardening workshops, meet landscape gardeners, talk to the city's park managers, attend exhibitions and cultural events related to the theme, enjoy open-air concerts, etc.

It is therefore a very worthwhile activity for the whole family. If you are in Paris with children in September, it can be an excellent event to consider in your plans.

7. Move around the city freely on Car Free Day

Montmartre neighborhood| ©Ed Webster
Montmartre neighborhood| ©Ed Webster

In the month of September, Paris celebrates Car Free Day. This means that all the streets of the city are closed to traffic for the use and enjoyment of pedestrians. For a full day, Parisians and tourists alike take to the streets to roam the city freely and at their leisure.

So it's your chance to walk, enjoy a guided tour of the Montmartre district or simply fall in love with the beautiful views of the city without cars.

Book a guided tour of Paris

8. Participate (if you are a woman) in La Parisienne and feel better about yourself

La Parisienne Race| ©ParisInfo
La Parisienne Race| ©ParisInfo

La Parisienne is a race exclusively for women. It has been held every year since 1997 in September and gathers thousands of women from all over Europe.

The event invites all women who want to participate to run and discover the streets of one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Moreover, it is not necessary to be a professional runner. If you want to participate, you can simply go for a jog, integrate into the crowd and enjoy the atmosphere.

The route may change from one year to another, but it is usually about 7 kilometers and runs through the center of Paris. It usually starts at the Pont de Jena and ends at the Champ de Mars. On the other hand, it is possible to participate in teams of two: girlfriends, mothers and daughters, family members, company teams, etc.

La Parisienne is also a charity race that raises money for breast cancer research. Therefore, if you participate in this race, you will be doing a great job to help fight this terrible disease.

9. Look like you know how to distinguish between a Bordeaux and a Burgundy

Bottles of Wine| ©Hermes Rivera
Bottles of Wine| ©Hermes Rivera

If you like wine, you can't visit Paris without going to a real wine tasting. Some of the best wines in the world are produced in France, specifically in the regions of Burgundy, Champagne, Bordeaux, Loire Valley and Alsace.

Therefore, I recommend that you reserve an afternoon of your trip to enjoy a wine tasting in Paris in Paris. In addition, you will surely learn to distinguish some varieties and discover interesting curiosities and things you didn't know before.

Book an excursion from Paris with wine tasting

10. Travel along the Seine River by boat like a real tourist

Cruise on the Seine passing by the Ile de France| ©Joe deSousa
Cruise on the Seine passing by the Ile de France| ©Joe deSousa

They say that Paris is the city of love and light, and there are few plans more romantic thana cruise on the Seine. In addition, the autumn transforms Paris into a true picture of colors with a really special atmosphere. Discovering the city and its monuments from this perspective becomes an exciting experience.

The Seine River is one of the best romantic things to do in Paris. Especially at this time of the year. Aboard a cruise, the city looks different and you can enjoy new views of the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum or the Musée d'Orsay.

Book a guided tour of Paris

The weather in Paris in September

Afternoon in Paris| ©Anthony Delanoix
Afternoon in Paris| ©Anthony Delanoix

The weather in Paris in September remains very comfortable. Although there may be variations during the day, it remains stable and mostly sunny, making it one of the best months to visit the city.

During the first fortnight, temperatures can range from a maximum of 23ºC to a minimum of 13ºC. However, during the second half of the month, temperatures begin to drop and range between 18 ºC maximum and 9 ºC minimum.

The tourist flow in Paris in September

Louvre Museum| ©Irina Ledyaeva
Louvre Museum| ©Irina Ledyaeva

At the beginning of September, the tourist flow is still high because many people are still on vacation. In fact, you can find long queues at most major monuments, especially at the Eiffel Tower.

However, from the second week of September, when the school vacations are over, the influx of tourists decreases and leaves a quieter and more peaceful city. This is the perfect time to visit and discover the best tours and excursions you can do in the French capital.

What to pack to visit Paris in September

Preparing your luggage| ©Vlada Karpovich
Preparing your luggage| ©Vlada Karpovich

It is not easy to pack your suitcase when you are traveling to Paris in September. Temperatures during the day can be warm, but at night they drop and you can get cold. Therefore, it is best to bring a little bit of everything:

  • Short-sleeved shirts in case it's sunny, as well as a hat or sunglasses.
  • Sweatshirts and a sweater for when it gets cooler in the evenings.
  • A thin jacket or light coat.
  • A folding umbrella in case it rains.
  • Comfortable shoes for walking around the city.
  • If you are cold, a scarf and more warm clothes.