in short
- Weather: Average 19 degrees, high 24, and about six rainy days per month.
- European Heritage Days: On the third weekend of September (September 19–20 in 2026), with entry to buildings that are closed all year round.
- Exhibitions: The season opens, with, among others, Tintoretto at Jacquemart-André, Bartholdi at Orsay, Monet at the Orangerie, and Cézanne at the Grand Palais.
- Concerts: Brook at Sainte-Chapelle, the Four Seasons at Madeleine and Chopin by candlelight at Sainte-Ephrem.
- Food and drinks: Food Temple and Whisky Live Paris in the last few weeks of the month.
- With children: The Halloween Festival at Disneyland Paris opens on September 26, 2026.
There’s a certain moment in Paris, around the first week of September, when the cafe chairs are still outside but the people sitting on them already look different. Less tanned, more focused. Parisians are back from vacation. It’s called la rentrée , and there’s no good translation for it in Hebrew – it’s not just “back to school” but a moment when an entire city turns on its engine at once.
And for those who come to visit, it’s one of the best months of the year. The weather is still pleasant (average 19 degrees, high 24), the lines have shrunk, and the museums are opening the season’s big exhibitions one after the other. If there’s one month when Paris feels like Paris and not like an international bus station – it’s September.
Exhibitions in Paris museums in September 2026
September is the month when the museums of Paris open their cards. In three weeks, seven exhibitions are opening here, each of which could have been an event of the year in a different city. This year there is a special emphasis on French people who went to America and Americans who went to France, and on two anniversaries: the centennial of Monet's death, and the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States, which will accompany Paris throughout 2026.
One tip before you start: Almost all of these exhibitions require advance booking, and weekends sell out. Book before you buy your plane ticket, not after.
The Eternal Tintoretto
The Musée Jacquemart-André is dedicating its opening exhibition of the season to Tintoretto (1518-1594), the painter who turned Venice into a theater stage. This magnificent private home is already one of the most pleasant places in Paris to see art – without crowds and without elbows.
- September 11, 2026 – January 24, 2027
- Small museum, an hour and a half visit
- Must book a time slot in advance
Bartholdi: Liberty illuminates the world
Auguste Bartholdi (1834-1904) built the Statue of Liberty in workshops in Paris, and only then shipped it to New York in crates. The Musée d'Orsay tells the full story of this crazy project, just in the year America celebrates its 250th anniversary.
- September 15, 2026 – January 31, 2027
- Fits in with the stature of the Impressionists
- Ursa is busy even in September
Mona, to paint the time
It is exactly one hundred years since the death of Claude Monet (1840-1926), and the Orangerie – the house of the water lilies – is dedicating an exhibition to him that deals with exactly the thing that troubled him all his life: how to paint something that is constantly changing.
- September 30, 2026 – January 25, 2027
- The oval halls of the lilies anyway
- Opens right at the end of the month
Cezanne and us
180 works in the National Galleries of the Grand Palais, all of which answer one question: what did Paul Cézanne (1839-1906) do for 20th-century art. Gauguin, Matisse, Picasso, Mondrian – and also contemporary names like Joan Mitchell and Peter Doig. Co-production with the Centre Pompidou.
- September 23, 2026 – January 17, 2027
- The Great Autumn Exhibition in Paris
- Crowded exhibition – take your time
Eva Gonzalez: The Path of a Freelance Artist
Manet's only student, a talented painter who died at the age of 34, six days after giving birth. Eva Gonzalès (1847-1883) was pushed to the margins of Impressionism for a century, and the Petit Palais finally puts her at the center. And bonus: admission to the Petit Palais's permanent collection is free.
- September 15, 2026 – January 24, 2027
- In front of the Grand Palais – can be combined
- The exhibition itself is free.
Landscape art, from 1890 to the present day
The Musée Marmottan Monet asks what happened to landscape painting after the Impressionists were done with it. The museum itself sits on the quiet edge of the 16th arrondissement, near the Bois de Boulogne, and holds the world's largest Monet collection.
- September 24, 2026 – January 31, 2027
- Relatively quiet, even in peak season
- A little far from the center
Kerry James Marshall: The Histories
The first exhibition in France of Kerry James Marshall (born 1955) – seventy works, eight of which were painted especially for the exhibition. Marshall places black figures at the center of the Western canon, and one of his points of departure is precisely 19th-century French painting. An exhibition by Simone Fattal is also being held there at the same time.
- September 18, 2026 – January 24, 2027
- Permanent Collection – Free Admission
- Closed on Mondays
The Primordial Waters: A Lesson from Mesopotamia
The Louvre takes the most contemporary subject there is – water – and looks at it through the eyes of the cultures that invented irrigation, the canal and writing. If you’re at the Louvre anyway for the Mona Lisa , that’s a good reason to stay an extra hour in the wing that everyone else skips.
- On display until February 27, 2027
- Included in the Louvre entrance ticket
- The Louvre is always crowded.
A feather from heaven
The Ca Burnley Museum traces the journey of the bird of paradise from New Guinea to women's hats in Europe. A story of fashion, colonialism and near extinction – all in a building whose garden alone is worth a visit.
- On display until November 8, 2026
- Five minutes walk from the Eiffel Tower
- Closed on Mondays
And by the way – if you are planning more than two exhibitions, it is worth checking the museum pass before buying individual tickets. I wrote about all the museums in detail in the Paris Museums Guide , and about the buildings themselves in the Paris Monuments Guide.
Holidays and events in Paris in September 2026
European Heritage Days – September 19-20
This is the event of the month, and if you can plan your trip around it – do so. I wrote about it extensively in an article about Heritage Days in Paris . During this weekend, hundreds of buildings that are closed all year round are opened to the public: the Elysée Palace (the president’s residence), government buildings, fashion house workshops, metro control rooms and its ghost stations, historic hospitals and circuses. Admission is free. The theme for 2026 is “Heritage in Danger.”
The only catch: you have to register in advance for the popular sites, and registration usually opens at the end of August and closes within hours (yes, just like registering for a concert). For those who missed it – there are still hundreds of sites that you can get into in a simple queue, and that's half the fun.
Jewish Holidays – What Does It Mean for the Israeli Tourist?
September 2026 is packed with holidays, and this affects both flight prices and what's open in Paris:
- Rosh Hashana – Enters Friday evening, September 11, and leaves Sunday evening, September 13.
- Yom Kippur – Enters on Sunday evening, September 20, and leaves on Monday evening, September 21.
- Sukkot, Tabernacles – Entered Friday evening, September 25th.
In Paris, these holidays are not official holidays, so everything is open as usual – except for the kosher restaurants and shops in the 4th arrondissement (Rue de Rosier) and the 19th arrondissement, which are closed. If you plan to eat kosher on the holiday, book in advance and check the hours – I’ve compiled everything in my guide to kasher in Paris . And note that Sukkot and Yom Kippur fall on particularly busy weekends in the city.
Festivals and major events
- Jazz in La Villette (August 28 – September 6) – The 25th edition of the festival that opens the musical season in Paris, between the Grand Hall and the Philharmonie. There is also a children's version.
- Paris Design Week and Maison&Objet (September 10-14) – The city is filled with galleries, concept stores, and hotels that open design exhibitions. Much of it is free and scattered throughout the city.
- Humanity Day (September 11-13) – A huge folk festival that has been taking place since 1930, with performances by big names. Very French atmosphere, very non-touristy.
- Sports Day (September 14) – Rue Rivoli is closed to traffic and transformed into one large sports field, including swimming in the Seine. A legacy of the 2024 Olympics.
- Fine Arts Paris (September 19-23) – The classical art fairs at the Grand Palais. Even if you don't buy, this is an opportunity to see works that will go into private collections and never be seen again.
- Paris-Versailles Race (September 27) – 25 runners, 16 kilometers from the Eiffel Tower to the Palace of Versailles. Even if you're not a runner, it's worth knowing that cars will be blocked.
- Fashion Week (from September 28) – Women's collection displays. I made it for that. 48-hour fashion itinerary in ParisHotels are getting more expensive, restaurants are filling up, and the city feels a little more bloated than usual.
Classical music concerts in Paris in September 2026
September is the month when the classic season reopens, and it's also the month when it's hardest to get good seats – because annual subscriptions renew right then. The rule is simple: book early.
Here's what's playing in September 2026 in the city's most beautiful churches and halls:
Sainte-Chapelle: Brooke's 1,113 stained glass windows
An hour of music under the 13th-century stained glass windows. Tickets start at 15 euros, and you can add champagne or wine and tapas afterwards. This is the experience I recommend more than anything else in this episode.
- Throughout September, starting on the 4th of the month
- Tickets from 15 euros
- It is recommended to book early.
The Church of the Magdalene: The Four Seasons and Classic Spectacular
The Madeleine continues to host Vivaldi, and alongside him the Classic Spectacular – an hour and a half introductory show with the greatest hits of the repertoire, including Rhapsody and the magic of the Bolero.
- The Four Seasons, September 5
- Classic Spectacular, September 15
- Tickets are selling out – book in advance
Saint Ephrem: By Candlelight, Between Chopin and Beethoven
A small church in the Latin Quarter that transforms every evening into an intimate space by candlelight and piano, with a repertoire ranging from Chopin to Beethoven.
- Chopin by Candlelight, September 1
- Chopin, Schubert, Satie and Beethoven, September 2
Worth knowing: The major halls – the Opéra Garnier, the Opéra Bastille, the Philharmonie and the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées – open their season precisely in September, and the programs there are gradually published. I reviewed all the halls and churches, including Saint-Julien-le-Paubert and Saint-Germain-des-Prés , in detail in my article on classical music in Paris.
Culinary events in Paris in September 2026
September is a particularly good month to eat in Paris, for a very prosaic reason: the best restaurants close in August for vacation, returning in September with a new menu and rested staff. It's also the month when it's easier to get a table at places that are usually booked up two months in advance.
Food Temple Morocco – September 18-20
The tenth edition of the culinary festival taking place in the Carre du Temple in the Marais district , and this time it is entirely dedicated to Moroccan cuisine – as part of Paris’ “Mediterranean Season.” Six pop-up restaurants, a teahouse, cooking workshops and masterclasses with Moroccan chefs, and a souk-style market with spices, argan oil and rose water.
Admission is free except for the opening night on Friday (10 euros), the meals and the workshops. Open Friday 18:00 PM-11:00 PM, Saturday 11:00 AM-23:00 PM, Sunday 20:00 AM-17:30 PM. If you are in Paris that weekend – this is a great lunch without a reservation.
Whisky Live Paris and Cocktail Street – September 26-28
The 22nd edition of Whisky Live Paris spans 16,000 square meters in the Grand Hall de la Villette, with more than 300 distilleries from 35 countries. The salon itself is open on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September, 1:30-7:00 PM (VIP ticket holders enter at 12:30 PM), and Cocktail Street – which is celebrating its 10th anniversary – continues on Monday 28 for the professional audience. Tickets from 72 euros, entry from 18 years old only. This is an event for those who are really into it, not for a random family outing.
And one more thing: Montmartre's Harvest Festival
The Montmartre Harvest Festival (Fête des Vendanges) is perhaps my favorite culinary event in Paris – five days of tasting trails, a wine-making procession, free concerts and a harvest from the city’s last remaining vineyard, the Clos Montmartre vineyard, which I wrote about in my guide to the Montmartre district . This year, unfortunately, it falls outside the month: October 7-11, 2026, the 93rd edition. If you’re flying in late September and can extend a few days – it’s worth considering.
And if you want something a little more organized than wandering around the markets of Paris and hoping for the best, I've compiled all the options in an article about culinary tours in Paris and French cooking workshops.
Children and Disneyland Paris in September 2026
Halloween Festival at Disneyland Paris – from September 26
Here's some good news for those traveling in late September: this year Disneyland Paris' Halloween Festival begins on September 26 and runs until November 1 – the first time ever that the season has started before October 1, and the longest edition to date (37 days).
On the program: the “Mickey’s Halloween Celebration” parade, hundreds of pumpkins and fall decorations along Main Street and Frontierland, character encounters with Disney villains (Maleficent, Ursula, Jafar, Captain Hook), unique Halloween costumes for Mickey and his friends – and in Frontierland, after years of absence, Doctor Facilier from “The Princess and the Frog” returns with his own photo booth.
And here’s the practical tip: The week of September 26-30, before the French holiday of Toussaint, is a completely new window on the park’s calendar. It’s expected to be relatively quiet, and the prices are lower. If you want Halloween without the two-hour lines – this is the week. The festival is included in the regular admission ticket.
You can book tickets to Disneyland Paris here , and I've compiled everything you need to know before you go – hotels, queuing strategy, how many days you really need – in the complete guide to Disneyland Paris.
Please note: Crush's Coaster is closing for a ten-month renovation starting in September 2026. If it was at the top of your kids' wish list, it's a good idea to prepare them in advance.
And what else do you do with children in September?
- Amusement Park in the Bois de Boulogne (August 28 – October 11) – The old “pat a na-na”, inBoulogne Forest, with a Ferris wheel, small roller coasters, flying chairs and candy apples. Less polished than Disney, much more French, and much cheaper.
- The Olympic Trophy in the Tuileries Garden (until September 14) – The floating trophy that thrilled everyone in 2024 is returning toTuileries Garden, and rises into the air every evening as darkness falls. Free.
- Nightly Fountain Show at Versailles (Saturdays, until September 19) – Gardens Palace of Versailles Illuminated by thousands of lights, with fountains, baroque music and fireworks at the end. Children aged six and up are thrilled by it.
- Children's Palace at the Grand Palais – A new space for ages 2-10 under the rotunda of the Palace of Discovery, with the exhibition “Transparency”: Hall of Mirrors, Crystal Cave, Forest and Colorful Ocean. Open until August 2027.
- “The Lion King” at the Duomo de Paris (from September 12) – The musical returns to Paris for the 20th anniversary of the show. In French, but the story is familiar enough that it doesn't bother.
I have compiled all the attractions that work with children in Paris – including those that are open all year round – in the guide to attractions for children in Paris.
Questions and answers about September in Paris
What is the weather like in Paris in September?
Pleasant. The average is around 19 degrees, the maximum around 24 and the minimum around 14. It rains about six days a month. Which means: one layer in the evening, a foldable umbrella in your bag, and no heavy coat. For the first two weeks it still feels like summer. You can find an updated forecast on the Paris weather page.
September or October – which is better for a trip to Paris?
September, if you want nice weather and outdoor seating. October, if you want fewer tourists and lower hotel prices. Note that fashion week arrives at the end of September, and then hotel prices jump significantly – anyone planning for the end of the month should book well in advance.
How do you get tickets for the European Heritage Days?
Admission to all sites is free, but some of them – especially the Elysée Palace and government buildings – require advance registration via the official website. Registration usually opens weeks in advance and closes quickly. For most other sites, you just show up and stand in line. Tip: Go to the less famous places, where the line is shorter and the encounter is more personal.
Is it worth buying a museum pass (Paris Museum Pass) in September?
It depends on the pace. If you are planning three or more museums in two or three days, the ticket is worthwhile and mainly saves time. If you are planning one large exhibition and another small museum – individual tickets are better. It is important to remember that the ticket does not always exempt you from booking a time slot in advance for the large exhibitions. I detailed everything in the article about the museum ticket and attraction tickets for Paris.
When does the Halloween Festival start at Disneyland Paris in 2026?
on September 26, 2026, and runs until November 1. This is the first time the season has started before October. The first week, September 26-30, is expected to be the quietest of the entire season.
How do Jewish holidays affect a trip to Paris in September 2026?
Rosh Hashanah falls on September 11-13, Yom Kippur on September 20-21, and Sukkot begins on September 25. In Paris, these are not official holidays and the city operates as usual, but kosher businesses in the 4th and 19th arrondissements are closed. In Israel, this is peak season for flights, so it is a good idea to book as early as possible.
More on the subject
Hello deer,
Thank you for having a person like you, thank you for this special site. With so much knowledge and a desire to help others enjoy a vacation tailored to personal taste, I booked accommodation in castles that have been turned into boutique hotels through the site, amazing! In the Loire Valley, tickets to Eurodesney and the Eiffel Tower, a cruise on the Seine River and even an apartment in Paris, simply a pleasure, in addition I received personal treatment and assistance in answering emails, thank you very much, and may there be more people like you. Good people in the middle of the road.
Thank you very much I really appreciate it 🙂