Paris in September 2023 – What to See, Eat, Pack & Do!

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Everything you need to know if you spend this September in Paris

A trip to Paris in September is an excellent idea. It is still summer in France’s capital, with the weather likely to be fantastic, but with a bit fewer crowds than in August, and an overall energetic and positive vibe.

September is the month of the rentrée. Summer vacation is over, kids are back in school, and the Parisian are back in town. While the previous couple of months were defined by tranquility and a laid-back attitude, September in Paris is busy.

Stores and restaurants are open again, and you can enjoy Paris in September to the fullest.

How are the crowds in Paris in September?

September is a high season in Paris! Even though the big crowds from July and August are long gone, Paris is nowhere close to being empty or crowd free. Quite the contrary, expect Paris to be busy.

Visitors that are not bound to school vacations are flocking to Paris to enjoy the pleasant combination of beautiful weather and lesser crowds. If you plan to visit Paris this September, plan a bit ahead.

Popular sights are easily sold out and you better make sure to get tickets in time. This also prevents you from queuing and wasting precious time.

Below is a list of sights that have either the longest queues or are sold out often weeks in advance:

• Eiffel Tower – Buy your ticket here: GetYourGuide  ┃Viator
• Catacombs – Buy your ticket here: GetYourGuide ┃Viator
• Château de Versailles – Buy your ticket here: GetYourGuide ┃Viator
• Louvre – Buy your ticket here: GetYourGuide ┃Viator

Prices can vary, best you compare!

The Rentrée in Paris

In 2023, the rentrée is on Monday, the 4th of September. Everyone will be back in Paris from their annual break by the 1st, and if you pay close attention, you’ll notice the busy Parisians running from A to B.

Stocking up on school supplies, signing up for activities, buying new clothes for their kids and themselves, and taking advantage of reductions that many stores are offering around this time.

The rentrée is a big thing in France, almost a season on its own. Even though you as a visitor and on vacation won’t be much affected by this event, I think it’s still nice to know what are all the rentrée signs and posters are about!

September will give you a wonderful time in Paris. You can enjoy the city to the fullest with everything being open, but without the paralyzing heat waves (carnicule in French) you often encounter in July and August.

Expect great weather and plenty of fun things to do thanks to the many cool events, picnics in the beautiful parks, river cruises, and museum exhibitions.

No matter what type of vacation you are looking for, the month of September is a wonderful time to visit Paris.

How’s the September weather in Paris?

Your vacation in Paris in September will likely be characterized by warm weather and sunshine. But the oppressing heat you find in August is mostly over.

September is the transition month from summer to fall in Paris, but it really feels more summer than anything else. Especially in the first half of the month.

As the month progresses, it will get cooler though, but you can still expect sunshine and pleasant temperatures.

The average temperature during the day in September is 22 degrees, with 7 rain days.

Despite all the good forecasts and the likelihood of warm, sunny, and pleasant weather, it could still throw you curveballs: you might experience days of rain with temperatures as low as 13 degrees. Hence, pack a sweater!

Is a hotel with AC necessary in September?

Considering it could indeed be warm, especially in the first half of September, your best choice is to book a Hotel with air-conditioning. This sounds like a no-brainer, but AC is not a given in Paris. If AC is not mentioned in the hotel description, there is usually none.

Related post if you are looking for hotels in Paris with AC:

• Budget Hotels: Best Ibis Hotels in Paris
• 14 Hotels with Eiffel Tower views
• Top 14 Hotels in Paris with a Balcony
• My personal favorite: Hôtel Monte Cristo

Paris Travel Literature for your Trip:

What to wear in Paris in September 2023

In September, you best prepare to dress in light layers. It can be still very summery warm, at least pleasant, but the mornings and evenings start to be fresh.

Hence, you should bring a light jacket and a sweater. A light scarf can be useful as well.

Another thing you should have in your purse? A little travel umbrella, just in case the rain starts falling!

As always, the best move is to look at the forecast before leaving for your vacation and pack accordingly. But generally, you will have pleasant days in September, with warm sunshine and fresh mornings and evenings.

When packing for your trip to Paris this September, ensure you pack the items below to be prepared for the September weather.

Comfortable sneakers

Also interesting: Best walking shoes for Paris in 2023

There is this very persistent rumor that you stick out like a sore thumb if you wear sneakers in Paris. Once and for all: No, you don’t.

In Paris, everyone wears sneakers! Some more fancy models like these from Michael Kors, others more sporty like Stan Smiths, but Sneakers are the way to go!
If you really want to blend in, get yourself a pair of VEJA. The sustainable French brand is a Must-have in Paris.

Sunglasses

Yes, you better have your shades with you when traveling to Paris in September. The days can be sunny and are still considerably long. Plus, a nice pair of sunglasses easily dresses up a comfortable sightseeing outfit.

There are many shades to choose from. Every fashion brand has its line of sunglasses: Ray-Ban, Prada, Gucci, and Michael Korrs are only some of the numerous options you have.

But if you want to wear something unique, Paris is the perfect place to show off your vintage sunglasses! Go for some shopping at the flea market at Porte de Vanves, and buy yourself a brand new (but old) pair of sunglasses!

Light Pants to dress up and down

These pants are the best travel item for late summer. They are soft, comfortable, and insanely versatile. You can wear them casually with sneakers and a t-shirt during the day when sightseeing in Paris. But also, easily dress them up with a pair of flats or loafers and a blouse for dinner.

The elastic waist and the wide leg make them comfy to wear, too. An ideal item for your wardrobe when traveling to Paris. They exist in many colors, but when traveling to Paris, black is always a safe bet. See here how affordable they are.

A light scarf

There is rarely an item so versatile as a scarf. Whether you wear it around your neck to keep you warm or around your shoulders to replace a light jacket if it gets a bit fresh in the evening.

A scarf certainly belongs in your bag if you travel to Paris in September. A lightweight scarf also takes no space up in your purse, you can have it with you all day and just take it out when needed. As a plus, a scarf is also a wonderful accessory to level up your outfit.

A small Travel Umbrella

Honestly, you shouldn’t travel anywhere in Europe without a little umbrella in your

purse. This one is just the perfect size to do both: fit in your purse and keep you dry. It also comes with a little pouch, so you are not flooding your purse when putting the umbrella back, wet after usage.

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Best things to do in Paris in September 2023

For your trip to Paris in September, you need to know that you’ll be in town at high season. It is not as packed as August anymore, but still crowded.

Paris sees many tourists in September, and contrary to August, many Parisians as well. After summer vacation, Parisians and tourists alike are eager to enjoy dinners, culture, and shopping.

Depending on what you want to do, tickets for sights and exhibitions might be a rare good.

» Must-Do: Book your tickets in advance! 

Like everywhere in high season, many people want the same thing: to visit the top sights and enjoy Paris. But tickets to most sights are limited.

To spare you from disappointment, plan ahead and reserve as many tickets as you can in advance.

Here’s precisely why:

1. The main attractions are in high demand in September.
2. Famous sights like the Eiffel Tower are often booked out for weeks, especially during highseason.
3. Some sights require pre-booking due to some Covid-19 measurements still in place (this might change, but better safe than sorry).
4. Buying tickets on-site often includes queuing for hours and a huge time loss!

To make sure you get tickets and to avoid wasting time queuing, you really should secure your entrance tickets before you arrive in Paris. The earlier, the better.

These sights are in the HIGHEST demand!

For your convenience, here’s a list of sights you need to reserve beforehand.

• The Eiffel Tower – click here for tickets to the summit!
• The Louvre – Click here to see the Mona Lisa
• The Catacombs – click here to enter Paris’ underground
• The Castle of Versailles – book your ticket here

You can also (try to) buy tickets on the attraction’s website. However, most of them don’t have a cancellation policy and/or are sold-out super fast. If you want to remain a minimum flexible, I recommend booking your Paris tickets with get your guide.

Get your Guide grants you a 24h cancellation and full reimbursement policy, their website is easy to navigate, in English and the tickets are very convenient mobile tickets.

I use them for my bookings as well and find them insanely easy.

 

Enjoy the last days of summer on a Seine Cruise

Book your tickets for an unforgettable Seine Cruise here (for as little as €15!)

No matter the season, you will enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Seine either way, but I dare to say that a cruise in September is especially nice.

It is still warm enough in September in Paris to enjoy the outside deck to the fullest. But it is also beautiful, to see the first hints of autumn popping up here and there. This, mixed with the golden late summer light… unforgettable!

You can spend wonderful hours doing a cruise on the Seine River. There are plenty of different cruising options suitable for all budgets.

→ Budget Option: simple but stunning: 1h Seine Cruise

→ Best Value for Money: 3-Course Dinner Cruise 

→ A Special Treat: Gourmet Dinner à la Carte Cruise

You can take in Paris` beauty from an unusual perspective while relaxing and sailing down the Seine.

Or: Take a Cruise on the Canal St. Martin!

If you want to combine the Seine with something extraordinary, combine the Seine Cruise with a trip through the locks of the Canal St.Martin!

It’s a very fascinating tour, that I took actually in August this year myself, and can warmly recommend it.

I booked this tour with GetYourGuide, but is also available through Viator for the same price.

As a plus, the commentary (in English) was outstanding. Despite living here for so many years, I’ve learned plenty of interesting things about Paris, and I am sure you’ll enjoy it too.

The Canal leads from the Seine, through a tunnel under the Bastille, to the North of Paris. On your trip, you cross many locks to balance the height difference through Paris.

Explore Paris by Bike

Book your bike ride through Paris here

If you are worried to rent a Vélib in Paris on your own, a guided bike tour through Paris is perfect for you.

It is a wonderful way to see the city. You’ll be able to see all the major sights, and you won’t have to worry about getting lost. Plus, it’s a great way to get some exercise while you’re on vacation.

The tour will take you past all the famous landmarks, but you also get to ride through some of the less touristy areas of the city, which is always nice.

The tour guide will be able to tell you all about the history of Paris, and they’ll make sure you have a great time. I highly recommend taking a guided bike tour of Paris if you ever get the chance.

Visit the Eiffel Tower

Quick Access: Book your ticket to the summit right here

Nothing screams “Paris” more than its famous symbol: The Eiffel Tower. Built in 1889, the Eiffel Tower is one of the best places to enjoy a magnificent view of Paris.

You can either visit the 2nd floor by climbing the stairs or taking the elevator. You can also opt in to head up to the summit, by elevator, of course. Both platforms are granting you breathtaking views, but for many, the summit is the real bucket list item!

The most budget-friendly option to visit the Eiffel Tower and enjoy the view is by climbing using the stairs to the 2nd floor.

However, tickets are only sold on the homepage a couple of weeks in advance or with a bit of luck (and lots of queuing) on the day of your visit directly to the tower.

Interesting articles if you are traveling on a budget to Paris:

• 21 Simple Ways to Save Money in Paris
• 70+ Free & Fun Things to do in Paris
• What NOT to do in Paris -23 (costly) Paris Mistakes you need to avoid!

If a visit to the Eiffel Tower is not negotiable for you, I advise you not to gamble and buy a ticket for the elevator in advance. Compare prices here: Get Your Guide and Viator.

Especially this year, the Eiffel Tower is crazily high in demand, and many have problems finding tickets at all. Get them while you can! If the official ticket online sales point has no tickets anymore, check here:

→ Direct Access to the Eiffel Tower Summit by Lift

→ 2nd Floor & Seine Champagne Cruise Bundle

→ 2nd Floor, direct access by Elevator

Take a day trip to the magical Loire Castles

Book your day trip to the Loire Castles here 

If you have a spare day, and you wonder what else you could do during your trip to Paris in September, I suggest considering a day trip from Paris. 

Also interesting: 21 Easy Day Trips by Train from Paris

The Loire castles are 2.5h away from Paris and perfect for a day trip, especially in September: The middle of the wine harvest season in France, and the wine from the Loire Region is very.

The easiest way to visit the Loire Castles: Book a Tour from Paris

Considering the time it takes to organize this trip, plus the costs of a rental car, your best option (value & price) is simply booking a tour from Paris.

One of the most popular tours to the Loire Valley from Paris is this one. It contains transportation from Paris, entrance fees to 2 beautiful castles, a visit to the town Blois, and a wine tasting. Book this magical trip here and

Also, take a look at our article about the best and easiest day trips from Paris by train to get more ideas.

Explore Montmartre

Click here to know about schedules, prices, and bookings

Montmartre is honestly one of the most lovely but also unique areas of Paris. Back in the days, Montmartre was just a settlement outside the city gates. Even though Montmartre became a part of Paris more than 160 years ago, the district kept its village charm and strong identity.

You maybe know that Montmartre is a ridge, and the views over Paris from up there are something you must have seen.

Walking Montmartre on your own is already pretty awesome, but you will after all miss half of the magic, that lies hidden in anecdotes, stories, and legends. Montmartre has so many mysteries that it is definitely valuable to spend the extra penny and join a guided walking tour.

If you are traveling to Paris on a shoestring budget, consider this tour. It is the most budget-friendly but also the most popular walking tour in Montmartre.

What’s going on in Paris in September 2023

September is the month of the rentree and the last month with the occasion to catch some late summer vibes in Paris.

Discover all the best events that will take place in the city of Paris in September 2023.

Until 11 September – Jazz à la Villette

Annual Jazz Festival in the north of Paris. Check their website for info.

until 03 September – Silhouette Festival

The fantastic Parisian end-of-summer event is dedicated to short movies in the Parc de la Butte du Chapeau Rouge (19th arrondissement).

from 02 September – La fête au Bois du Boulogne

What’s better for making the end of summer vacation less depressing? Right, a fun fair! At the Fête á Neu-Neu, as this one was formerly, you can enjoy Merry-go-rounds, trampolines, food trucks, and of course, a Ferris wheel.

04 September – Car Free Sunday

Every first Sunday of the month, Paris remains car free in many areas.

9 to 11 September – Fête de l’Humanité

La Fête de l’Humanité is one of the festivals with the longest traditions, since 1930. Organized to found the newspaper L’Humanité it breaks visitor records each year. It’s concerts (I saw Joan Baez there in 2011, and it was magical), political discussions, exhibitions and much more.

10 to 12 September – Omnivore Food Festival

If you are a foodie, note this weekend in your calendar. It is the first big food festival of the year (well, considering the year in France starts with the rentrée) and takes place in the Parc Floral de Paris.

You have the chance to sample food from some of the best young chefs in the world, attend masterclasses, and much more.

11 September – La Parisienne

La Parisienne is an all-female race through Paris, either 7 km or 10 km. The race is the end of an outdoor event at the Champs-de-Mars dedicated to running, yoga, and wellbeing.

17 and 18 September – European Heritage Days

This weekend, you get to enjoy more than 300 Parisian museums, landmarks, and historic monuments for free! See the full program here.

18. September – Car Free Day No.2

For everyone who loves to enjoy Paris without traffic, September is a generous month: 2 car-free days! The annual car-free day is on the 18th of September, and the monthly is on the 4th.

From 23 September – Exhibition on Oskar Kokoschka

Head to the Musée d’Art Moderne and see the retroperspective of Oskar Kokoschka, probably the greatest Austrian artist of the 20th century.

24 September – Techno Parade Paris

After 2 years, the Techno Parade Paris is back! Check here for information such as itineraries, DJs, and more.

24 September – Versailles Electro

If you had not enough at the Techno Parade, head to Versailles in the evening! The Versailles Electro Party takes place nowhere less than on the terraces of the Château de Versailles. Your chance to dance to international DJs in a truly unforgettable setting.

25 September – Paris Versailles Half Marathon

From 26. September – Fashion Week

The Paris Fashion Week is back! Until the 4th of October, you have the chance to see the latest trends for the coming season.

FAQ Paris in September

Is September a good time to visit Paris?

Yes, it is a good time to visit. You can expect pleasant temperatures and sunny days. But it is also high season and hotels and attractions are in high demand.

Is Paris crowded in September?

In September, school vacations are over and Parisians are back in town. Hence, the traffic is back to normal after the summer break. You also have many tourists in Paris. Overall, September is not as crowded as in July or August, but it is still high season, and you have to expect queues.

What is happening in Paris in September?

September is the month when Parisians get back to Paris and the new (school) year starts. There are many events in Paris in September:

• 31.8 – 11.9 – Jazz à la Villette
• 9.9 – 12.9 – Fête de l’Humanité
• 17.9 – 18.9 European Heritage Days
• 10.9 – 12.9 – Omnivore Food Festival
• 24.9 – Techno Parade Paris

How should I dress in Paris in September?

September is usually still pleasant, and the sun is warm enough to be out in a T-shirt. But pack a light jacket and a sweater.

If you have further questions or need some help, click the link to join the free Salut from Paris community on Facebook! 

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