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

September marks la rentrée in France, the moment when summer vacation winds down and the French get back to their daily lives. There are a wide range of cultural events, sports, and festivals that make it one of the best months to be in Paris.

Sep 1, 2025 - 11:05

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

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.

September in paris – 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.

Parisian buildings on Boulevard Beaumarchais, the sun hits the top of the buildings.

September Events in Paris

Paris Design Week, September 4-13, 2025

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.

Journées du Patrimoine, September 20-21, 2025

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. This year’s theme is “architectural heritage” and includes the reopening of Notre Dame’s towers!

The Cour de Cassation in Paris view from across the Seine, swans swim in the Seine, blue sky.

Festival Les Traversées du Marais, September 5-7, 2025

For three days, 50+ cultural institutions across the Marais open their doors to welcome visitors for artistic experiences and performances. From streets to hidden courtyards you’ll find concerts, performances, workshops, screenings and more!

Paris Fashion Week, September 29-October 7, 2025

Covering Womenswear for Spring and Summer 2026, 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.

Festival d’Automne, September 4 – December 20, 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.

What to Do in Paris in September – Exhibitions

***Soulages, Une Autre Lumière*, Musée du Luxembourg, opening 17 September 2025**

This exhibition at Musée du Luxembourg explores 130 of Pierre Soulages’ works on paper. 25 of them have never before been seen, and were created between the 1940s and early 2000s.

***Paul Poiret, La mode est une fête*, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, until January 11, 2026**

Paul Poiret played a major role in haute couture. He was known for removing the corset from his designs to liberate the female body. Poiret worked from the Belle Époque to the Roaring Twenties in fashion, decorative arts, perfume, and gastronomy. The designer’s work is displayed through 550 pieces at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs.

***CLUBBING*, Grand Palais Immersif, until October 1, 2025**

Become immersed in club culture in a unique exhibition presenting the history of underground clubs and their evolution to today’s culture. The exhibition also offers peeks into world renowned establishments and features stories from artists and musicians.

Destination Musée d’Orsay, Musée d’Orsay, until September 28, 2025

In partnership with the Limoges Academy, Musée d’Orsay presents 47 pieces created by students in French middle and high schools. The theme of the works is travel. They take us back to the roots of Musée d’Orsay which was once a train station or gare, each work capturing the student’s experience at the museum.

Pont des Arts in Paris view from next to the Seine. People sit by the Seine.

***Georges de la Tour*, Musée Jacquemart André, opening September 11, 2025**

Georges de la Tour is honored in an exhibition for the first time since 1997, as Musée Jacquemart André continues its exploration of masters influenced by caravaggism. Visitors will learn about the artist’s career and his favorite subjects, including figures of penitent saints and artificial light effects.

Céleste Boursier – Mougenot, Bourse de Commerce Pinault Collection, until September 21, 2025

It’s the last month to see this unique installation of the multi-sensory piece “Clinamen” by the artist Céleste Boursier in the Rotunda of the Bourse de Commerce.

Niki de Saint Phalle, Jean Tinguely, Pontus Hulten, Grand Palais, until January 4, 2026

The Grand Palais hosts a retrospective dedicated to artist couple Niki de Saint Phalle and Jean Tinguely, who were supported throughout their careers by first director of the Musée national d’art moderne at the Centre Pompidou: Pontus Hultén. The friendships between them are explored alongside the couple’s work, which has been described as disruptive, multidisciplinary and participatory.

***Robert Doisneau, Instants Donnés*, Musée Maillol, until October 12, 2025**

Over 350 photographs by Robert Doisneau are on display, selected out of an impressive 450,000 that make up the collection. The exhibition marks his return to Paris and captures the human experience from his eyes, from his childhood in the Parisian suburbs to his exploration of fashion.

Sports – What to Do in September in paris

Paralympic Day, La Communale Saint-Ouen, September 6, 2025

This free event will honor para-sports by allowing the public to try various Paralympic sports inclding cecifoot, wheelchair tennis, and seated volleyball. 70 athletes from the French team will be present for the events, which culminate with a party in the evening.

La Parisienne, Stade Emilie Anthoine, September 12-14, 2025

This three-day sport and wellbeing festival honoring women offers fitness classes, yoga, street art, food trucks, and 7/10 kilometer races on Sunday. The all-female races pass by iconic Parisian monuments for an unforgettable experience.

A square in Paris with yellow and green trees, a fountain running in the center.

La Course des Triporteurs, Cour de Vincennes, September 21, 2025

A tradition that ran annually from 1900 to 1943, the Triporteur Race returns for a race of the iconic tripod bikes you see making deliveries across the city. Participants will attempt to be the legendary 1943 record of 34 km per hour and take home the trophy. A cyclo-parade will also take place after the race, where cyclists of any age or style are welcome to join in the fun!

Paris-Versailles Race, September 28, 2025

The annual Paris-Versailles race held at the end of the month attracts 25,000 runners for the 16km route. Runners start from the Eiffel Tower and continue all the way to Versailles for a big finish.

Music and Dance- Paris Events 2025

Jazz à la Villette, until September 7, 2025

Enjoy the eclectic program centered on improvised music where 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.

Ariodante, Palais Garnier, September 16-October 12, 2025

This Italian Opéra by Gorg Friedrich Haendel tells a story about love, power, and rivalries and is set in medieval Scotland. Created in 1735, Ariodante will be performed at the breathtaking Opera Garnier – get your tickets while they last!

La Bohème, Opéra Bastille, September 12-October 14, 2025

If you love the opéra, you can also see La Bohème at Opéra Bastille. Based on Scènes de la vie de bohème by Henri Murger, the opéra, set in outer space, explores love as the characters nostalgically reflect on their youth in Paris.

Electro Night Fountains Show, Château de Versailles, September 20, 2025

This special edition of the Night Fountains Show will illuminate the Royal Gardens alongside rythmic electro music for an unforgettable evening.

Pont Neuf in Paris as seen from the Seine on a partly cloudy day.

La Traviata, Musée Jacquemart André, September 21 & 27, 2025

Opéra a Palazzo is hosting a special evening of opéra at the beautiful and intimate Musée Jacquemart-André. Admission includes the opportunity to mingle with the artists and enjoy champagne and snacks.

La Dame de Pierre, Palais de Congrès, September 27, 2025

A historical fresco paying tribute to Notre-Dame, this performance recounts the cathedral’s history through an impressive musical performance.

Events For Children

Treasure Hunt, Hôtel Drouot, September 17, 2025

Kids become detectives in this free and educational treasure hunt based around the recently discovered masterpiece « David and Goliath ».

Paris Zoo Run, Parc zoologique de Paris, September 21, 2025

This run is held in the exciting setting of the Paris zoo and features runs and walks for all ages, as well as 5km and 10km races. It’s fun for the whole family, plus you will help save animals since all profits are donated to the Borana Conservancy in Kenya.

Deserts, Grande Galerie de L’Évolution, until November 30, 2025

A journey through the harshest environments on Earth, from vast deserts to icy landscapes

Disney 100 L’Exposition, Porte de Versailles, until October 5, 2025

The Disney exhibition continues in Paris, presenting 100 years of beloved films and characters. The exhibition features a treasured collection of over 250 original objects such as costumes and accessories.