It’s that time of year again in France: la rentrée, or back to school season, back to work season, back to business season. The long summer days are shortening as autumn approaches, and the weather is starting to cool down. September tends to remain fairly hot in Paris, but comfortably so, making it a great time to visit the City of Light. Businesses that were closed for vacation in August will be open again, and people are generally bright-eyed and excited to get back to it. September in Paris offers a magical blend of warm weather and cultural events, from open-air concerts and art exhibitions to iconic fashion shows at Paris Fashion Week.
With everything opening back up, you may be looking for things to do in Paris this September. Of course, you don't want to miss the classic boat tours along the Seine River, local tours of the city, vibrant outdoor markets in every arrondissement, and the last rays of picnic season along the canal, but there are a few other bigger events that we want to share with you today.
Here are 5 events happening in Paris this year that you can look forward to.
THE PARALYMPICS
As you may know by now, the Olympics mid-August and the Paralympics kicked off on August 28th. They run until September 8th, and are shaping up to be an amazing experience. If you haven’t yet, you can still score tickets to the Paralympics. We highly recommend attending a few different events in these Parisian venues - the whole experience will be incredible and is a must-attend if you’ll be in Paris before September 8th.
EUROPEAN HERITAGE WEEKEND
Known in French as the journées européennes de patrimoine, these take place the third weekend in September each year across Europe. This year, those dates are the 21 and 22 of September. There are tons of incredible experiences you can check out - but we recommend choosing a few and getting there well before doors open because most locations quickly form lines out the door! Open experiences include the art studios in the Louvre, the salons de receptions at the Hôtel de Ville, and the Institute of France, among hundreds of others.You can find the program for the whole of France here.
JAZZ A LA VILLETTE
From the 29th of August to the 9th of September, get away from the crowds of central Paris and explore the 19th arrondissement up at La Villette. Jazz à la Villette is a yearly jazz festival boasting daily performances, sometimes multiple per day, and offering experiences for children as well. Find out more and book your tickets here. And if you’re wondering what else there is to do or eat near La Villette - don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. Whether you want to rent a boat to paddle around the canal, grab a specialty coffee, or indulge in some amazing food, our guide to Paris will steer you through. No need to plan ahead with Paris in My Pocket because with our map, you’ll be able to find what you need nearby and rest assured that you’re going to have a great time.
WHISKEY LIVE STREET & COCKTAIL FESTIVAL
While we’re at La Villette, let’s talk about what else we have to look forward to in September. If you’re a whiskey drinker, you won’t want to miss Whiskey Live. The whole festival is cool, from the ateliers to the tasting booths, but what’s truly not to miss is Cocktail Street, at the Grande Halle de la Villette from September 28th to 30th. In the Grande Halle you’ll find almost 60 bars plus dozens of street food stands and various DJs. It’s bound to be a fun time. If you go, be sure stop and say hi to our friend Ashley at the Two World’s Whiskey stand.
LES GRANDS EAUX NOCTURNES ELECTRO A VERSAILLES
If you have to go to Versailles, you may as well make it a once in a lifetime experience! Every year, Versailles offers various “fountain shows”. Throughout the season you’ll have musical fountains throughout the garden and even weekly evening events. But the night of September 21st is exceptional. For that one evening, classical music is left behind and electro will fill the air with music, fountains, fireworks and anoverall good time. If you find yourself in Versailles that weekend, you can book your tickets here.
In other words… September in Paris is a vibrant time! It’s filled with diverse events and experiences that make the city even more enchanting. We've shared our top five recommendations, but there are plenty of other exciting happenings that add to the energy of the season. Whether you’re exploring renowned institutions or discovering something new, the blend of creativity, culture, history, and atmosphere during this time of year is truly special. It’s the perfect month to experience Paris at its dynamic best!
And don’t forget - if you’re looking for even more wonderful things to do, like the best museums in Paris, the most delicious places to eat, or that perfect cookie, check out our guide. You’ll get access to hundreds of recommendations, our map, and articles filled with advice - and did we mention it comes with access for life?
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