Top Paris events for September include la rentrée - the return of Parisians to the city, feeling energized after a month or more of vacation relaxation and excited about all the activities, new shows at theaters, museums and concert halls, and festivals filling the September calendar.
The final games of Paralympics through the first eight days of September, so you can expect the city to be even more bustling than usual at this time of the year.
Plus, to make up for its late start at a couple of locations this year, Paris Plages, the city's popular "beach" event, continues through September 8.
If you're visiting Paris this month, celebrate the tail-end of summer at a free jazz festival at Parc Floral plus mostly-free music and film fests.
More top events include the fabulous European Heritage Days, Paris Fashion Week, a parade and 2-day party celebrating 1500 years of Paris history, and free cultural events across the Marais neighborhood.
Coming to Paris during September?
If you're planning a visit to Paris this month, consider booking your "bucket list" tours and activities now to get your top choices.
Top Paris attractions & experiences:
- Seine River Panoramic Views Dinner Cruise - 3-course meal prepared on board
- Eiffel Tower Entry Ticket with Optional Summit Access - An iconic experience
- Louvre Masterpieces Tour with Reserved Tickets - Most popular choice
Most popular Paris destinations this month:
- Disneyland Paris 1-Day Ticket - Favorite family-friendly day trip
- From Paris: Versailles Skip the Line Tour & Garden Access - Includes transportation
- Moulin Rouge Cabaret Show with Champagne - Top-selling cabaret experience
If you love hunting for vintage and antique collectibles, check out the Foire de Chatou, France's oldest and biggest antiques fair toward the end of the month.
The very popular Paris Autumn Festival also kicks off this month with multiple event at around 50 venues.
Will you see any fall foliage in the city's many famous parks during September? Maybe. Look for a few hints of gold and crimson toward the end of the month - but otherwise, expect to find lots of flowering plants still in full bloom and the lush beauty of late summer still evident everywhere you look.
September days typically will be warm and mellow (sometimes even hot!) - but bring a warm sweater to wear at night.
Fun Things to Do in Paris in September:
Top photo: Pool in Luxembourg Garden in early September, (c) Paris Discovery Guide
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European Heritage Days (Journées Européans du Patrimoine) - 2024
Over 300 Paris museums, historic monument, heritage sites, and public spaces give you free access during fascinating tours and presentations as part of France's European Heritage Days on September 20-22. The theme this year is "Routes, Networks, Connections, and Maritime Heritage."
What's special? Many of the city's most beautiful, fascinating, and historical institutes give access to private areas normally off-limits to visitors.
The collections of art, architectural details, and other wonders behind those usually-closed doors can be jaw-dropping, so don't miss the chance to see them.
Head to venues as Banque de France, Élysées Palace, and Palais Royal where you can explore treasure-filled areas normally closed to the public, take behind-the-scenes tours at the Supreme Court, Chatalet Theatre, and the construction site at Notre Dame Cathedral, or simply get free admission to some of the city's most popular museums and cultural institutions such as Monnae (the Paris Mint) and La Conciergerie.
Some of the most unusual offers last year included a guided walking tour around top collections a the Dior Gallery, Yves Saint Laurent Museum, and Palais Galliera (which have joined forces for this event), an insider's look at the 400+ year old "Lantern gazebo" at the head of the Belleville aquaduct, art workshops at the Louvre, and a special guided tours of three different circuits through Paris's Covered Passages.
Occasionally, the city's oldest and smallest cemetery, Cimitiere de Calvaire in Montmartre, unlocks its magnificent bronze gate on this day.
Stay tuned to hear about this year's events closer to the dates!
Admission, tours, workshops, and other related events are free, but at some venues, you'll need to register in advance.
Keep in mind that tours and presentations will be in French, so if your understanding of the language is, let's say, "imperfect," consider choosing an event where you'll be happy with just the visual part of the experience.
The complete schedule and related registration information (if required) will be listed on European Heritage Days' website, usually about 3 weeks before the event.
September Concerts in Paris - 2024
- Look for 2025 concerts closer to the date
More Paris classical concerts during September
More Paris rock, electronic, pop, jazz, & other performances during September
More concerts throughout the year
2024 Summer Olympics
The 2024 Paralympics continue in Paris (and other parts of France) through the first eight days of September, so combined with the usual la rentrée of Parisians returning from vacation, the city will be even busier than usual. Trains and RERs into and out of the city will feel packed - but getting around should generally be easier than during the summer.
If you're among the many visitors coming for this great event, here are key dates and a link to additional information:
- Paris 2024 Paralympics dates: August 28 - September 8
Paris Beaches - Paris Plages - 2024
Paris Plages ("Paris Beaches") transforms parts of Paris into fun-filled beaches each summer. Due to their late start this year to accommodate the 2024 Summer Olympics, the "beaches" will remain open through early September.
You'll find Paris Plages activities at three main locations: the Seine River Banks (Parc Rives de Seine) in central Paris, the newest location at Canal Saint-Martin, and La Villette Canal Basin in the 19th arrondissement.
At the Bassin de Villette, you can cool off free of charge in the 4 huge Paris Plages swimming pools, enjoy kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddle, small boats, and other water sports, play pétanque and table football, and take part in other activities. You'll also find lots of kids' workshops, special activities for 3-7 year olds, board games, exhibitions, and libraries.
The Seine River Bank "beaches" focus on relaxation, while the plages at La Villette feature games and activities. Canal Saint-Martin is a mix of both. Relax in deck chairs, visit the many floating theater, restaurants, ice cream stands, and bars along the water.
Paris Plage Dates & Times
Canal Saint-Martin: Through September 8 (entertainment by DJs and other groups ends on Sept 1)
Rives de Seine (Seine River Banks) and Bassin de la Villette: Through Sept 8
Open: 11am-9pm, and until midnight on weekends.
Day Trips from Paris: September Picks
September is the perfect month to explore some of the exciting and famous attractions outside of Paris. Here are 4 of the most popular day trips with transportation from Paris included:
- Loire Valley Castles Tour - This fabulous all-day tour takes you through the beautiful Loire Valley where you'll visit 3 specular Gothic and Renaissance castles, wander through their gardens, enjoy a French wine tasting - Book now
- Versailles Palace & Gardens - During this guided tour of the famous chateau with round trip transportation from Paris, you'll see the Hall of Mirrors and other famous rooms in the palace, and explore the lush gardens. Book now
- Disneyland Paris - Hop on an express shuttle bus from 4 convenient Paris locations and use your park ticket to speed through the entrance for a magical day at Disney - Book now
- Monet's Giverny - Visit Claude Monet's home and see fall colors at the gorgeous garden and water lily pond that inspired his famous Water Lilies paintings in this half-day trip with a guide from Paris - Book now
Find out about other exciting Day Trips from Paris
Paris Exhibits - Must-See Shows for September 2024
Here are just a few of the many wonderful exhibitions you can see in Paris this September:
- Fondation Louis Vuitton: Ellsworth Kelly: Forms & Colors, 1949-2015 - More than 100 works by the American abstract painter and sculptor in celebration of the centenary of his birth, plus Matisse, The Red Workshop, an exhibit dedicated to the inspiration and history of the artist's 1911 painting, L'Atelier Rouge - Dates for both exhibitions: Only through September 9, 2024 - so don't wait to book your tickets.
Tickets: Book in advance
Location: 8 Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi, Bois de Boulogne, Paris 16; Metro: Les Sablons, plus about a 10-minute walk (or take the shuttle bus included with the ticket) - Atelier des Lumieres: Egyptian Pharaohs - Discover ancient Egypt at the time of the Pharaohs in this virtual journey along the Nile River in Upper and Lower Egypt as you see legendary rulers, great battles, famous temples and tombs, and majestic landscapes; purchase online; you can also purchase at the door for 2€ more per ticket but there's no guarantee you'll get in as timeslots are often fully booked
Dates: Through January 5, 2025 - Musée de Quai Branly: Myriam Mihindou - An immersive musical installation celebrating Gabon's and the Republic of Congo's Punu culture by this contemporary Franco-Gabonese artist
Dates: Through Nov 10 - Musée de Cluny: The Marvelous Treasure of Oignies - 13th Century Sparks of Brilliance - Breathtaking gold and silver treasures from the Middle Ages, on display outside of Belgium for the first time. Plus, the permanent exhibits such as the famous "Lady and the Unicorn" medieval tapistries should not be missed!
Dates: Through October 20, 2024
Find more Paris museum exhibitions for September & future months
Paris Museum and Attractions Passes
Get free admission and skip-the-line access to 60+ museums in and near Paris when you have a Paris Museum Pass for 2, 4, or 6 days. (Access to special shows may require additional ticket.) More info
Fall Flea Fest at Les Puces, Paris's (& the World's) Biggest Flea Market 2024
The Saint-Ouen ("Les Puces") Flea Festival returns this year on September 26, giving you the perfect excuse to stroll through this sprawling universe where over 3,000 vintage and antique dealers offer countless treasures.
On the opening night of the festival, the big markets within Les Puces stay open until midnight, which special events such as entertainment, food tastings, concerts, and parades.
Although these events are free, you'll need an invitation from the host markets to get in, which is easy to get - just sign upon the Les Puces website (click "Press" or "News" on the top navigation bar, and then click "Events" to see the specific events for details).
Find out more about Les Puces at Saint Ouen
Tour Les Puces with an Expert Guide
- Paris Flea Market Insider's Tour - We highly recommend this tour if you're visiting Les Puces for the first time and want an excellent overview of all the specialty areas
- Private Shopping Tour at the Paris Antique Flea Market at Saint-Ouen
- Paris Flea Market Small-Group Guided Tour with Chats & Antique Dealers
Open Studios: Pere Lachaise Neighborhood 2024
Numerous artists live and work in the Pere Lachaise neighborhood near the famous cemetery in the leafy 20th arrondissement. This month, emerging and established painters, sculptors, photographers, and print-makers in this area invite you to visit their Open Studios on Saturday, September 21.
Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to browse original art, chat with the artists, and perhaps purchase a favorite piece! Visiting the Open Studios also gives you also a great opportunity to explore this lesser-known authentic Parisian neighborhood and also perhaps visit nearby Pere Lachaise cemetery.
Admission: Free
More information: Artists of the APLA website (APLA = painting, sculpture, engraving, photography, and mixed media)
Jazz à la Villette 2024
The Jazz à la Villette Festival stages two weekends of superb musical events in Parc de la Villette's major venues: Philharmonie de Paris, Grande Halle de La Villette, and Cité de la Musique.
Don't miss this unforgettable experience of hearing some of the best French and international musicians at one of the world's leading jazz fests,
There's also a special kids' program.
The festival runs from August 29 - September 8.
Lineup and more information: Jazz à la Villette website
Paris Fashion Week: Womens Ready to Wear 2024
Paris Fashion Week for Women's Ready-To-Wear takes place in multiple locations around the city and features numerous events showcasing French and International designers such as Chanel, Galliano, Dior, Givency, Vuitton, Miu Miu, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, Sandro, Comme des Garçons, Courrèges, Maje, Vanessa Bruno, and Isabel Marant.
Models strut down the runways wearing the collections you'll see in Paris stores next spring and summer.
The ticketed shows are generally by invitation only, so unless you're lucky enough to snag one, you can catch a glimpse of the models near the venue locations, typically in the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 8th, and 16th arrondissements.
The Grand Palais, Palais Galliera, the Eiffel Tower and nearby Champs des Mars, Place des Vosges, Tuileries Garden near the Louvre, Palais Royal Garden, Hotel de Ville, Palais de Tokyo, and Pompidou are usually safe bets if you want to join the paparazzi, as well as designer ateliers in the Marais neighborhood.
Even if you're not remotely interested in fashion, this show may impact you if you're planning a trip to Paris in September because hotel rates usually soar MUCH higher during the event - so if you're cost-conscious, consider planning your visit for earlier in the month.
When: September 23 - October 1
Paris Tours for Fashionistas
Paris Design Week 2024
Paris Design Week showcases the latest, greatest, and best of new and classic trends in home decor in over 300 galleries, workshops, design schools, and creative studios around the city for 10 glorious days from September 5-13.
Similar to Paris Fashion Week, most exhibitions are for design professionals only. Check the event website for more information (click "FR" on the far right of the top nav bar to get English).
If you're in Paris during this period, you'll see Paris Design Show banners in many neighborhoods, particularly in Saint-Germain, the "Design District" near the Seine in the 7th arrondissement, the Marais (especially the Upper Marais in the 3rd), and near Palais Royal/the Louvre in the 1st.
Participating galleries and home decor boutiques will welcome your visit - so if this is of interest to you, be alert for browsing opportunities as you explore these neighborhoods.
Les Traversées du Marais (Free Cultural Events in the Marais) 2024
Les Traversées du Marais, featuring 45 free cultural events, will inspire you to "travel" across the Marais neighborhood (3rd and 4th arrondissements), where you'll encounter a rich diversity venues offering concerts, live performances, film screenings, kids' events including story time, open artists studios, a culinary workshop, exhibitions, and lots of fun on the first full weekend of the month, September 1-3.
Participating venues include Centre Pompidou, Swedish Institute, Museum of Arts and Crafts, Memorial de la Shoah, Victor Hugo House, Museum of Hunting & Nature, Musee des Arts et Metiers, Carnavalet Museum, the Swedish Institute, National Archives, Hotel de Sully, La Gaite Lyrique, the National Library, Picasso Museum, Cognacq-Jay Museum, and more.
Dates: September 13 - 15 (not all venues participate each day)
Admission: Free
More about the schedule and venue locations: http://lestraverseesdumarais.com/
Car Free Day in September 2024
Paris's annual Car Free Day takes place this year on Sunday, September 22 from 10am to 6pm, planned to coincide with European Heritage Days.
As a bonus, you can enjoy the regular "first Sunday" car-free day on September 1, when Paris's first four arrondissements, Champs Elysees, and other neighborhoods throughout the city become pedestrian-only on the first Sunday of each month.
With most private vehicles (ie, cars, motorcycles, trucks) banned from city streets, this is your chance to walk freely in the spaces normally filled by traffic. Take a deep breath and enjoy the cleaner air resulting from a variety of green initiatives!
Emergency and city worker vehicles, taxis, city buses, and tour buses are allowed, so be prepared to share the space with them as well as with bicycles, segways, and scooters.
If you're visiting Paris, Car Free Day can be a wonderful opportunity to explore the heart of the city on a guided bicycle tour or electric bike tour.
Foire de Chatou (Antiques & Collectibles Fair at Chatou)
If you love searching for treasures at flea markets and antique shops, you won't want to miss France's biggest and oldest antiques fair held this month (and in March) a few miles outside of Paris (but easy to get to on the RER).
What will you find? Basically, everything that might fall under the label of "antiques," "vintage," and "collectibles" - fine art, furniture, decor, fashion accessories, jewelry, tableware, chandeliers and other light fixtures, toys, mirrors, books and maps, and so much more, from the 17th century through the 20th.
All of the 300 dealers at the fair are vetted professionals, and experts are on hand to certify authenticity, if needed. Shippers are also available, in case you can't resist, for example, an 18th century marble fireplace mantle for your living room back home.
Dates: September 27 - October 6
Admission: 10€
Location: Ile des Impressionnistes (Isle of the Impressionists), Chatou, France
Directions: Take the RER A toward Saint-Germain-en-Laye from Paris. Get off at the Rueil-Malmaison station and take the free shuttle to the fair (you can also walk - it's about half a mile), or go one stop farther and get off at the Chatou Croissy station (try to exit at the end of the train) and walk across the footbridge over the Seine River to the fair.
Find out more about Foire de Chatou and other Paris flea markets, antiques auctions, and "brocantes"
Festival d'Automne (Autumn Festival) Paris 2024
The Paris Autumn Festival (which extends until the end of January) showcases the latest creations and artists (international as well as French) in contemporary dance, theater, music, cinema, and visual arts at a variety of venues around Paris, including Galeries Lafayette in the 9th, the Grand Hall at Parc de la Villette in the 19th arrondissement, the Pinault Collection at Bourse de Commerce and Louvre in the 1st, and Pompidou Center in the 4th, just to name a few.
This is a hugely popular festival, with over 50 events (many of which extend over several or more days) at over 70 venues in and near Paris.
Most events are ticketed, and many sell out quickly, so don't wait to book, which you can do through the event's website. (Tip: To see both the venues and the schedule, click the "Venues" tab on the nav bar.)
Dates: September 8, 2024 - January 26, 2025
Aura at Les Invalides - 2024
The Aura immersive show takes place during evening hours and brings to life the architecture and history of the Invalides Dome with spectacular lighting effects, imagery, and music designed to showcase the site's beauty and heritage.
For about 50 minutes, brilliant video projections inside the interior of Les Invalides will take you through the creation of the dome and the panorama of events associated with this important monument.
Please note: This is walking experience as you move to different parts of the dome; you will need to take stairs outside and inside the dome, so not accessible for wheelchairs; also, please know that no restrooms are available onsite.
Dates: Through 2033
Location: Invalides Dome, 2 Place Vauban, 7th arr; Metro: Ecole Militaire, Tour Maubourg, Varenne, Saint-François Xavier
Want to visit Les Invalides, Napoleon's Tomb, and the Army Museum during regular visiting hours? Book priority entry tickets online.
Paris is Worth a Party Festival - 2024
Looking for something fun and unusual to do in Paris? You can travel back in time to celebrate 1,500 years of Parisian life in the Paris is Worth a Party festival.
The event takes place this year in the Jardin des Grand Explorateurs, directly across from the south edge of Luxembourg Garden.
In addition to reenactments of Paris from the Middle Ages to the Liberation (World War II), you'll see costumed actors portraying craftsmen, marching in a history-themed parade from the Pantheon, and performing a Liberation-themed show to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Paris. There will also be a medieval "village," and, in honor of this particular year, an Olympic ball.
Admission to the exhibitions and reenactments are free (with donations gratefully accepted), but other events such as the dinner and ball are fee-based and may require costumes. Due to space limitations, you must get tickets in advance.
Dates: September 7, 8
Nearest metro: Port Royal
Silhouette Short Film Festival 2024
Wrap up the summer and welcome early fall in Paris at the free outdoor Silhouette Concert and Short Film Festival held from August 30 - September 7 at Parc de la Butte du Chapeau Rouge in Paris's 19th arrondissement.
During the festival's 9 days, you'll have the chance to see numerous different French and international short films in a variety of categories: animation, drama, documentary, experimental, films for young audiences, and more.
Each evening's program kicks off at 6:30pm, with the film portion beginning at 7:30pm. Food and beverages are available for purchase at reasonable cost onsite.
Address: 5 Avenue Debidour, Paris 19
Metro: Pré St-Gervais or Telegraph; Tram 3bis: Robert Debré Hospital
Admission: Free
More Information: Event website
Festivals du Parc Floral: Paris Jazz Festival, Classic in Green, Pestacles, Nocturnes - 2024
Parc Floral (the Paris Botanical Garden) in Bois de Vincennes hosts four concurrent musical festivals: Paris Jazz Festival, Classic in Green (classical music), Pestacles (a children's concert series for ages 4 and up), and Nocturnes (night concerts of contemperary, jazz, or classical music).
The outdoor concerts take place every Saturday and Sunday on several stages in the park. All of the 25 concerts are free this year, although Parc Floral charges a small 2.60€) entrance fee during summer and early fall.
Check the Festival's website to download a brochure with dates, lineups, and concert times. Most take place in the afternoon and early evening, except for the Nocturnes concerts which tend to be late at night. The brochure is in French, but the information is easy to figure out even if you only know a few words. Important tip: if you see "gratuit," that means the concert is free.
Bring a blanket and a picnic or buy wine and a sandwich at the park's snack bar, and get ready for a relaxing afternoon and evening enjoying the sunshine, flowers, wandering peacocks, and virtuoso musicians.
Dates: Through September 8
Getting there: Bois de Vincennes, located in 12th Arrondissement on the eastern edge of Paris, is easy to reach - just hop on RER A train or Metro Line 1 to the Chateau de Vincennes Metro Station - the park is about a 3-minute walk from the station. You can find out more about Parc Floral here.
Bonus activities: Arrive early and stroll through Parc Floral's famous gardens, or explore Bois de Vincennes' other attractions such as its spectacular zoo, Lac Daumesnil (rent a row boat!), the aquarium, and 14th century Château de Vincennes.
Floating Markets Festival across from Notre Dame
Every year on the same weekend as European Heritage Days (September 16-17 next year; 10am-10pm on Friday and Saturday; 10am-7pm on Sunday), Quai Montebello along the Seine River across from Notre Dame becomes transformed by a fun gourmet event complete with free tastings: the Floating Markets of the Southwest.
Around 40 producers of food specialties from Southwestern France let you taste (and if you'd like, buy) their local products: foie gras, wines, duck, jams, cheeses, and special plums, garlic, grapes, and other produce. Music and dancing by the river add to the fun. More information: event website
Bonus tip: Once you've sampled the best of the Southwest, keep walking along the Seine toward the Latin Quarter to the east, and you may get to see more dancing along the Seine on the Jardin Tino Rossi platforms overlooking the river.
Everyone is welcome, so join the dancing if you feel inclined.
Floating Markets Festival across from Notre Dame
Every year on the same weekend as European Heritage Days (September 16-17 next year; 10am-10pm on Friday and Saturday; 10am-7pm on Sunday), Quai Montebello along the Seine River across from Notre Dame becomes transformed by a fun gourmet event complete with free tastings: the Floating Markets of the Southwest.
Around 40 producers of food specialties from Southwestern France let you taste (and if you'd like, buy) their local products: foie gras, wines, duck, jams, cheeses, and special plums, garlic, grapes, and other produce. Music and dancing by the river add to the fun. More information: event website
Bonus tip: Once you've sampled the best of the Southwest, keep walking along the Seine toward the Latin Quarter to the east, and you may get to see more dancing along the Seine on the Jardin Tino Rossi platforms overlooking the river.
The Eiffel Tower Turns Pink?
Don't be startled if you happen to glance at the Eiffel Tower on the night of September 30 and discover that it's suddenly turned pink!
The sparkling pink lights (which, as you can tell in the above photo, actually look purple against the night sky) announce the annual launch on the following day of Pink October, a month-long drive in Paris to raise awareness about breast cancer and raise funds for research.
This year, you can also see more monuments including the Luxor (Egyptian) Obelisk on Place de la Concorde, Place Vendome, and the National Assembly building join the Iron Lady as they light up in pink.
More about Paris in September
More Top Things to Do in Paris in September
More Articles about What to See & Do in Paris in September
- Ile de la Cité - Fascinating things to see & do on this historic island where Paris began
- Orsay Museum - Guide to the best Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art at this top Paris museum
- Paris Arrondissement Map & Paris Neighborhoods - Top attractions to see & explore in each of Paris's 20 districts
- Should You Get Skip the Line Tickets? - Tips for getting tickets to top attractions
- 10 Top Paris Attractions - Where to find them & how to visit
Need Reservations? This Paris Hotel Map Will Help
Planning to visit Paris in September? Use this Paris hotel map to find accommodations and make your reservations:
Booking.com
