In Paris this September? 5 must-dos for the French capital

Don’t get lost with tourists, explore the city like un vrai parisien (or parisienne) this September.

As the European summer draws to a close and the leaves begin to fall, Paris comes to life. Make the most of your time this September, with My French Life™ – Ma Vie Française® as your guide.

For the fashionistas

If you’re truly a fashionista, then you’ll already know that Paris Fashion Week is on its way. Get up to speed on where to find the best street style, who to watch and where to go for a drink after with our ultimate insiders guide to Paris Fashion Week.

Check Mode à Paris for updated show schedules, and stay tuned for our exclusive MyFrenchLife.org coverage of the collections.

Feed the designer in you

France and particularly Paris are renowned for their style and sophistication – let yourself be inspired by ‘Paris Design Week’.

Running every night of the week from 9 to 15 September, discover the world of design by visiting 150 venues ranging from institutions, studios and workshops to galleries, stores or markets and even hotels and restaurants.

Architecture-lovers rejoice!

If Parisian architecture is more of your scene then September is the month to be in France.

For two days every francophile’s dream will come true when the city of Paris opens its doors to the public for ‘Les Journées Européennes du Patrimoine‘ (European Heritage Days).

For one weekend only you have the chance to visit the Palais de l’Elysée (the French President’s residence), the Sénat, the Assemblée Nationale as well as countless museums and theatres.

For the ultimate tour of Paris you can take one of 35 ‘Paris Heritage Strolls‘ which have been mapped out by the City of Paris.

As part of European Heritage Days, Paris museums are free to visit and offer guided tours for everywhere except the catacombs and crypt under the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Which strolls are on our wishlist? We’re most intrigued by ‘Fragments of Exhibitions Past‘ which takes flâneurs on a journey into a past both imagined and real: how did Parisians of decades past envisage the future?

We’d also like to follow the history of the Paris Commune, walk in the footsteps of architect Victor Baltard, and discover the Paris of renowned composer Frédéric Chopin… There are too many to choose from!

For the musically-inclined

Immerse yourself in music with the ‘Festival Île de France’. From 7 September until 13 October the region of Île de France runs this unique music festival.

With around 30 concerts all held at heritage locations across the region it is the perfect opportunity for you to find some of Paris’ lesser know locales.

We’d love to see the inimitable Sebastien Tellier perform live, or go along to ‘Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde‘, to see this classic 1920s silent film brought to life by live music from The Butterfly Ensemble.

Check the program and see what will be playing while you’re in Paris.

The secret gardens of Paris

What could be more picturesque than the gardens of Paris? On 21 and 22 September the 15^th ‘Fête des Jardins à Paris’ will kick off.

This is your chance to visit private gardens usually closed to the public. There will be guided tours, walks, concerts and other small events.

You can also visit some of Paris’ famous public gardens, with events running at the Luxembourg Gardens, the Tuileries, the Jardin des Plantes just to name a few. The best list of which gardens will be open can be found here.

Do you have any recommendations for fabulous things to do in Paris this September? Join the conversation by commenting in the box below!