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
Paris, by Jak & JilIf 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.
Paris Fashion Week – Ready to Wear24 September – 2 October
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.
Paris Design Week9-15 September
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.
The heritage-listed Petit Palais
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?
Eiffel Tower and the Trocadero, Exposition Universal in Paris, 1900We’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!
Les Journées Européennes du Patrimoine14 & 15 September
‘Paris Heritage Strolls’ are free to download all year round.
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.
Festival Île de France7 September – 13 October
The secret gardens of Paris
What could be more picturesque than the gardens of Paris? On 21 and 22 September the 15th ‘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.
Jardin des Plantes, by Susan Magrine.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.
Fête des Jardins à Paris21-22 September
Celebrating Autumn in Paris
Indulge in the arts at the ‘Festival d’Automne à Paris’. The festival runs from 13 September until 12 December and features more than 40 events ranging from theatre, music and dance to visual arts and film.
An installation from 2012 festival: Tête Monstreuse by Ugo Rondinone at Jardin des TuileriesThe festival attracts more than 100,000 curious art lovers every year. With performances and exhibitions all over the French capital, why not check out the program?
Festival d’Automne à Paris13 September – 12 December
Do you have any recommendations for fabulous things to do in Paris this September? Join the conversation by commenting in the box below!
This month’s column was researched and compiled by Alex Mealey, Kristie-Lee Clifford & Hannah Duke.