What To Do In Paris in September: Paralympics, Fashion Week, Exhibitions and More

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September marks la rentrée in France, the moment when summer vacation winds down and the French get back to their daily lives. Parisians return to work and school, and the City of Light wakes up from its August lull. It offers a wide range of cultural events, sports, and festivals that make it one of the best months to be in Paris.

Paris in September – Weather

The month of September may just be the best time of year to visit the French capital. Early fall sees fewer crowds during shoulder season at popular attractions compared to high season in the summer months. The transition from the long days of summer holidays to autumn means mild temperatures with a combination of plenty of sunny days and the occasional rainy day. The good weather continues and the streets of Paris fill up with returning residents. It is a perfect time to take part in outdoor activities. Average temperatures are as follows:

22° /13° Celsius

71°/55° Farenheit

The mild weather means it’s a good time for outdoor activities like a Seine river cruise, a day trip to the country side in places like the Loire Valley or Disneyland Paris, or a picnic in one of the many Parisian parks such as the Bois de Boulogne or Luxembourg Gardens. Make sure to pack a light jacket or trench coat.

Paralympics

Signage from the Paris 2024 Olympics with several flags flying on top. — photo by Sammy Royal

2024 has been a year like no other in Paris and the festivities continue in September with the the Paralympic Games. Make sure to catch the following:

September 1-2 Paratriathlon – Pont Alexandre III.

September 2 – Wheelchair rugby

September 4-8 – Para Powerlifting, Arena Porte de la Chapelle

September 5-7 Arena Champ-de-Mars

September 8 – Closing Ceremony, Stade de France

Paris in September – Events

Paris Plages, until September 8, 2024

Early September is still summer so enjoy it while you can! You can still catch Paris Plages until September 8. Check out these charming city side Paris “beaches” on the banks of the Seine, Canal de l’Ourcq and Parc de la Villette.

Paris-Versaille Race, September 29, 2024

The annual Paris-Versaille race held at the end of the month attracts 25,000 runners for the 16km route, stretching from the Eiffel Tower all the way to Versailles.

France Quintessence, September 8-10, 2024

This salon and tradeshow dedicated exclusively to French spirits, will delight Francophile drinkers on September 8-10. This year’s France Quintessence is held in collaboration with two other tradefares: SIRHA/OMNIVORE (for food lovers) and the Paris Coffee Show.

Paris in September – Culture

Paris Design Week, September 5-14, 2024

Celebrate creativity and design at Paris Design Week. Galleries, educational institutions, studios and workshops feature an array of contemporary works throughout the city, geared towards professionals and the general public alike.

Jazz à la Villette, until September 8, 2024

Enjoy the eclectic program centered on improvised music. Cutting edge artists of today and the greats of jazz are celebrated. Taking place in several venues including the Philharmonie de Paris, Atelier du Plateau, and Studio de l’Ermitage, the Jazz à la Villette festival sees more than 30,000 visitors each year. There are also films, exhibitions, masterclass and programming for kids.

Journées du Patrimoine, September 20-22, 2024

Celebrating its 40^th anniversary, European Heritage Days (Journées du Patrimoine) serve to show the public wonderful cultural heritage through exceptional openings and unusual visits. Now taking place in over 50 countries, a number of public monuments and private institutions open their doors during the third weekend of September. This includes civil and religious institutions, hospitals, courts, schools, military institutions, private homes, opera houses, churches, catacombs and more. From Marseille to Paris, discover this exceptional event, under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, the European Council and European Commission.

Nonette’s Collaboration with Ha Noi 1988 and Yeo’s, September 21-22, 2024

Nonette, the creators of the bánh mì Parisien teams up with Vietnamese restaurant Ha Noi 1988 and heritage Singaporean brand Yeo’s for a two-day pop-up along Pont Neuf at 72 Quai des Orfèvres, 75001. Visitors can enjoy a lunch box (10€) from Nonette’s peachy pink cart from 3pm-7pm, featuring a baby bánh mì, crispy nems, and a Yeo’s drink, all while overlooking the Seine. The first 50 guests each day will receive a complimentary box of baby donuts with kaya, a deliciously creamy spread made from eggs, coconut milk, and pandan.

Paris Fashion Week, September 23-October 1, 2024

Covering Womenswear for Spring and Summer 2025, you won’t want to miss shows from YSL, Dries Van Noten, Acne Studios, Balmain, Chloé, Chanel, and more, alongside up and coming talent. Paris Fashion Week features both ready to wear as well as haute couture

Left: a fashion model with a floral hat in autumnal colors; right: the Eiffel Tower on a cloudy day with fall foliage in front — right: Daniel Schwarz

Festival d’Automne, September 8, 2024 – January 26, 2025

Started in 1972, the multidisciplinary Paris Autumn Festival showcases theater, music, dance, art and film. 40 venues around Paris take part in the Festival d’Automne, including prestigious institutions such as the Pompidou Center.

Exhibitions

Fashion on the Move, Palais Galliera, Musée de la Mode de Paris, until September 2025

In a nod to the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, Fashion on the Move displays a collection of sneakers and athletic wear. The collection of 200 pieces spans three centuries of fashion (both aesthetic and technical advances) in relation of bodily movements. There are three separate exhibitions including featuring Chanel, Hermés, Sonia Rykiel and others.

First held in the middle of the 20^th century, The Paralympic Games have changed how we view those with disabilities. Paralympic History examines those wounded in war, press coverage for sporting events involving the disabled and more.

Olympic Opening Ceremony Outfits, Galerie Dior, until September 30, 2024

Masterpieces of French fashion from the design house of Christian Dior are the focus of this exhibit of iconic dresses from the historic Olympic Opening Ceremony In Paris. Relive the glory of seeing Aya Nakamura, Celine Dion, Lady Gaga, and Axelle Saint-Cirel at the Galerie Dior.

Harriet Backer – La musique des couleurs, Musée d’Orsay, September 24, 2024-January 12, 2025

Well known in her native Norway but less so elsewhere , Harriet Backer was renowned for her lush use of colors and personal take on everyday life. Inspired by Realism and Impressionism her oeuvre includes scenes from nature, Norwegian churches, and still lifes.

The Musée d'Orsay in Paris, pictured next to a bridge and the river Seine. — Musee d’Orsay by Pierre Blaché

Masterpieces from the Borghese Gallery, Musée Jacquemart André, Opens September 6, 2024

After a year of renovations and restoration, The Musée Jacquemart reopens with Masterpieces from the Borghese Gallery. 40 masterpieces from the Roman gallery will be on display, with works from the Renaissance and Baroque. Don’t miss these rarely loaned works from Caravaggio, Rubens, Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, Beronese, Bernini, Antonello da Messina and others.

We Are Here – an exploration of urban art, Petit Palais, until November 17 2024

The Petit Palais invites street artists to interact with its permanent collections and architecture. Over a dozen artists including Shepard Fairey, Invader, D*Face, Seth, Cleon Peterson, Hush, Swoon, Vhils, Inti, Add Fuel and Conor Harrington are a part of the exhibition We Are Here.

Mexica – Offerings and Gods at the Templo Mayor, Musée du Quai Branly, until October 6, 2024

The main temple of the Mexica Empire (1325-1521) is explored for the first time in Europe in this exhibition focused on the history of Mesoamerican archaeology.

Barbara Crane, Centre Pompidou, September 11, 2024- January 6, 2025

In 200 works, this exhibit examines the first quarter century of American photographer Barbara Crane’s (1928-2019) career. Her work combines traditional American photography with the experimental sensibility of the European avant-garde.