Paris in September: weather and reviews, air temperature, how to dress. Is it worth going on vacation, prices 2026 in hotels and on excursions. Where is the best place to stay overnight, what to see and where to go in Paris at the beginning of September and closer to October, and travel in the surrounding areas – says Eurotraveler.
For decades, Paris has habitually topped all sorts of ratings of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Not in any month of the year, of course – in summer and winter, many travelers deliberately go to warmer climes. Disregarding a visit to the Louvre and a visit to the Palace of Versailles, promenades along the Champs Elysees and a climb to the famous tower.
However, in the capital of France itself at the peak of summer it is sometimes so stuffyand sometimes you just can’t breathe that even if you want to go, you’ll be afraid. The beginning of autumn is a different matter!
After all, in September it is still very warm in Paris, but no longer swelteringly hot. The huge city is bathed in the sun’s rays with might and main, and is in no hurry to face bad weather and cold.
They know about this! And therefore there are still tourists in Paris at the beginning of autumn quite a few. But still not so much that for this reason it is worth canceling the long-awaited trip.
For which, however, it is worth preparing in advance – at least informationally! After all, as the ancient Romans said, “who is forewarned is forearmed.”
Weather in Paris in September
Usually promotes a variety of walks and trips as much as possible. Indeed, in most cases you will be able to avoid heatstroke, but at the same time see the main attractions of Paris.
However, it all depends on your luck and the specific year. The first, of course, we cannot predict, but recent years have been one hotter than the other. So, in general, you need to prepare for the fact that your trip to Paris in early September will be marked by hot weather.
For in the first ten days of the first autumn month, the air temperature in the capital of France readily rises not only to +30, but even +35-36 degrees Celsius. So if you are counting on a modest +25-28 °C, then… however, on some days it will probably be that “cold”.
In the evenings, however, you will definitely feel the natural coolness. In general, air temperatures in September Paris after sunset fall into the range of +21-23 °C. But even +18-20 °C will not become a sensation!
Closer to mid-September and the day becomes much less hot – and there are no surprises here.
- During the daytime, air temperatures try not to leave the range of +18-25 °C
- And they will make only a couple of attempts to shock the tourists who are in the mood for continuous running around the art museums of Paris with the summer heat (up to +27-28 degrees).
- At night it gets even colder – at times thermometers show +13-14 °C.
At the end of September, Paris almost always makes it clear that it is beginning to seriously prepare for the (European, however, that is, warm) winter! The atmosphere warms up to a maximum of +17-22 °C by midday. Travelers walking along the embankments of the Seine long after midnight will be glad if they think of dressing warmly – maybe only +10-12 °C.
Precipitation
Rains are rare! And according to long-term statistics, September in the French capital is a rather dry time.
That is, generally the driest of the year. This is if you haven’t already guessed when is the best time to go to Paris (to get the most positive impressions).
2-3 rainy days per month and no more than 40 mm of rain in total. Isn’t this a reason to say that September is the best month for a trip?! And also for long walks around Paris and trips to its suburbs?!
However, we warn you that you can only count on perfectly clear skies 50% of the time. After all:
On the one hand, it is ideal for sightseeing. And if you know what exactly to see in the city and where to go near Paris, then you are unlikely to get bored.
On the other hand, in the fall you still want more sunshine. After all, the sky hanging overhead puts a little pressure on the psyche.
In the reviews, however, there is no reflection on this matter. On the contrary, people are happy to see the capital of France, even this, a little gloomy…
How to dress
If you go to Paris around September 15-20, a windbreaker in your vacation suitcase may come in handy. Just like a sweater – if you wander around a lot in the evenings, imbued with the inherent romantic atmosphere of the French capital.
Such practical items of clothing will also come in handy if you go to the sea. To see Normandy in 1-2 days, for example: the same Rouen and Mont Saint-Michel, Giverny or Chateau-Gaillard.
But it’s wiser to leave rubber boots and umbrellas at home. Because even northern France in September doesn’t bathe in the rain. And let’s not even talk about the central and southern ones!
Sunrise time in Paris is 1.09 – 7 am, sunset – half past eight in the evening. By the end of the month, the length of daylight hours is reduced by about 2 hours.
Prices 2026
Independent tourists should estimate future expenses, based on the fact that a hotel room or apartment for a couple of people will cost 120-150 € per day. In this case, you will most likely have to stop at a decent distance from the center.
If you want to live in a “good” district of Paris and are not inclined to save much on comfort, the costs will increase. How much? Depends on how early you start looking for options.
However, there is always the opportunity to find a real “pearl” at a price below the market average. For example, we were somehow lucky enough to spend a couple of nights at the Hôtel Résidence A la Buttes aux Cailles in the 13th arrondissement on Rue Eglise. A wonderful apart-hotel where you will have at your disposal a small but separate studio with a kitchenette.
It’s worth taking a closer look at the La Manufacture hotel in the same 13th arrondissement. Next to it is the Place d’Italie metro station and a couple of supermarkets where you can buy some truly French food (croissants, baguettes, cheeses, cider?) for your morning or evening meal.
Average prices for excursions have increased in the post-pandemic years. But since there are plenty of Russian expats in Paris, you can always count on a wonderful educational walk around the city with a “local” guide for 35-40 €.
Things to do
The list and description of the most interesting places that you need to pay attention to in Paris are presented in the corresponding article. It is unlikely that you will be able to visit them all: you need to set aside at least a day for the Louvre and Versailles, Orsay and Pompidou.
But that’s not all! You will also find the restored Notre Dame de Paris, the Eiffel Tower, the Latin Quarter and the Marais, and a lot of interesting Parisian museums.
Naturally, we recommend taking a cruise on the Seine: it’s free for Paris Pass holders. And not too expensive – for everyone else.
And, of course, it costs more be in the fresh air. Throughout September, the Parisian weather directly hints at this.
Therefore, do not try to get into popular galleries and definitely climb the Eiffel Tower. Better yet, for example, take a walk through the Luxembourg Gardens.
After all, it is especially beautiful at the beginning of autumn. Relaxed, clean, fresh, as if relaxing after the summer heat and incredible tourist crowds.
For those whose travel dates to Paris fall on European Heritage Days – this is the third weekend of September, it is worth planning activities that are practically unavailable on other days of the year.
For example, you can visit the Elysee and Luxembourg Palace (for free). The President of the Fifth Republic lives in the first, and the Senate in the second.
A full list of available opportunities for European Heritage Days will eventually be posted here – journeesdupatrimoine.culture.gouv.fr/.
Where to go
We know you will definitely want to go see the Palace of Versailles and take a walk in the royal park. However, there is no reason to ignore other interesting opportunities!
For example, it is worth visiting one of the castles near Paris – the same hunting palace of Fontainebleau or the former residence of the Princes of Condé in Chantilly. We recommend that travelers with children see in person what an ideal safari park should look like – it is located in Thoiry.
Finally, it’s not difficult to get to the Loire Valley from Paris! Blois, for example, the favorite city of many French kings, can be explored in just 1 day.
And what beautiful castles of France are concentrated in the Loire River valley! There are dozens of them here. And in principle, it’s not a shame to spend a whole day examining each one.
A good option for a country trip is Rouen and its cathedral, which so admired Claude Monet. You will almost certainly admire the remarkably beautiful half-timbered houses in the old center of this city.
In general, in September the capital of Normandy is especially captivating. As, in principle, the region itself. Traditionally attracting tourists with the Benedictine monastery of Mont Saint-Michel and the estate of Claude Monet in Giverny.
A little more labor-intensive is a trip to Etretat, one of the most interesting places in France. And only experienced advocates of independent travel will be able to combine it into one route with a visit to the city of Saint-Malo on the border with Brittany.
It is easy to get from Paris to Compiegne (royal palace) and to Reims (the cathedral where monarchs were crowned). Fans of road trips will undoubtedly appreciate the benefits of traveling through a region such as Picardy. And perhaps they will even get to Arras.
Very adventurous individuals will travel from Paris by train to Amsterdam. Of course, it’s impossible to see the capital of the Netherlands properly in a day. But if you plan your trip yourself, you can spend as much time in Amsterdam as you want!
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© Eurotraveler
