Are you wondering what to wear in France in September? Summer is officially over in France in September however you will still usually be welcomed by pleasant sightseeing temperatures throughout the country. In this guide we cover the most important things to consider for packing for France in September whether you are visiting cities, islands or the coast.
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Weather in France in September
September is one of my favorite months to visit France. The weather is pleasant and the crowds will be much less than those in August.
But what can you expect from the weather across France in September?
Note: it is worth noting that the weather between months changes quite dramatically in France. Therefore if your trip spans a couple of months then please be sure to check out our other monthly:
How hot is France in September?
As I mentioned above, the temperatures tend to be good across France in September. But it will depend on which part of France you are visiting as to how hot is gets.
Usually in Paris. the temperatures in September tend to have an average low of 13°C/ 55°F and high of 22°C/71°F.
Whereas in the South of France in Summer, which tends to be the hottest area of France, you can expect the average lows to be 15°C/ 59°F and have average highs of 24°C/75°F.
Does it rain a lot in September in France?
France in September is actually a relatively dry month however there is around a 20% chance of a rainy day with around 50mm of rain falling across the whole month.
September is one of my favorite months to visit France as the crowds aren’t at there worst since the school holidays are over, but you still get relatively good weather. .
While this good looks at France at a top level, it is important to note that there are some regional differences in France in September. For this reason we have some specific regional guides linked below:
- What to wear in Corsica
- What to wear in Paris in September
- What to wear in Provence
- What to wear in the South of France
Considerations for you France Packing List for September
Before we get onto the exact items to include in your France outfits for September, we thought is would be worth outlining some considerations for your packing list. These are:
Pack Light
We always recomend you pack light when traveling to Europe. Accommodations in Europe are much smaller than their American counterparts, and lots of luggage can be a strain on space. And chances are you will be using public transport to get around.
For this reason packing light is really important. For more information on how to pack light for France in Summer we recommend checking out our guide on the 5 4 3 2 1 packing method or the Sudoku packing method which will help you create the perfect French Capsule Wardrobe.
Natural Fabrics
Natural fabrics are your best friend in France during the warmer months. In particualr we recommend packing lots of items made from cotton, silk and linen.
Note: if you plan on adding linen to your French Capsule Wardrobe be sure to check out our guide on how to pack linen clothes before traveling as this will help you reduce the wrinkles in your clothes on arrival.
What to Wear in France in September
What to Wear in France in September for women
Skirts and dresses
Skirts and dresses are my favorite thing to pack for France in September. They work well in the heat and are very in keeping with local sensibilities.
I personally tend to opt for midi or maxi length dresses and skirts especially in the cities and usually stick to items made of natural fabrics which are better for the heat.
Trousers
Light weight trousers such as chinos, cotton pants and linen are good choices alternative to dresses for France in September. They keep to the modest dress code required in churches and smarter pairs are good for day to night transitions and for restaurants where there are dress codes.
However I personally would not pack jeans for France especially in early September as I find it too hot.
For more information on what to wear to dinner in France check out this post.
Click here to shop maxi dresses.
Shorts
Shorts aren’t commonly worn by locals in the city however if you plan on visiting coastal regions or the countryside then shorts are a great addition to your packing list.
Blouse
A loose blouse works perfectly for warmer days and cooler nights and are also a good pick for places that require modest dress code.
T Shirts
T Shirts are perfect everywhere in France in September but I would select the t shirt carefully. Graphic and slogan tees aren’t particularly popular in France, so if you don’t want to look like a tourist in France pick plain and lightly patterned t shirts instead.
Cardigan
Although the weather in France in September is warm and pleasant, I would still pack at least one lightweight cardigan just in case.
Pashmina
Pashminas are on all my European packing lists as they are so versatile. They can be an extra layer if you get a sudden cold snap but can also make an outfit more modest.
PJs or Nightie
European accommodation is not guarunteed to have air conditioning. Therefore we recommend packing lightweight pyjamas and nighties in case your accommodation does not have it.
Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying. I would also add sneaker socks to your packing list to redice sweat and odour in your sneaker.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are essential in France in September but the pair you pack should have decent UVA protection.
Sunhat
A sunhat is an essential for beaches in France but are worth bringing to the cities too.
Whenever I travel with a sun hat I recommend taking this as carry on instead of a suitcase to help maintain the hats shape.
Swimwear (optional)
Swimwear is an optional item for your France packing list. If you are heading to the coast or are visiting a pool or staying in a hotel with a pool then it is worth bringing with you. however if none of these things are on your list then you can leave the swimwear at home.
Note: if you spend time on the beach, a beach cover will also be required for when on the boardwalks and at beachfront bars and restaurants.
What to pack for France in September for Men
The packing list for men is quite similar as the ladies packing list for France and we recommend packing:
T Shirts and Shirts
As with the packing list for women, we recommend packing t shirts that are plain as opposed to graphic or slogan.
At this time of year short sleeve t shirts are bests no matter the area you are visiting.
But on top of t shirts we recommend having a button down shirt with long or shorts sleeves with you. These work for restaurants with smart casual dress codes and at museums and tourist attractions such as Versailles and the Louvre.
Click here to shop mens t shirts.
Chinos/Linen Trousers
Lightweight trousers instead of jeans are more appropriate for France in September particularly at the start of the month. They work in the city, at restaurants with smart casual dress codes and for churches.
Shop men’s travel chinos here.
Shorts
While shorts aren’t commonly seen in the city, they are perfect at the coast. We recommend packing tailored shorts over cargo shorts which will definitely mark you as a tourist.
Blazer
A blazer is perfect if you are going to a high end restaurant in France and will double up as a jacket as an extra layer if you are visiting towards the end of September.
Swimwear
As with the ladies packing list this is only required if you are staying somewhere with a pool or heading to the South Coast.
Sunglasses
An essential no matter the month.
Hat
For same reason as above. Baseball caps aren’t commonly seen in the cities on locals, so a smarter hat is a better idea.
Underwear, Socks and Pjs
Note: if you plan to head over the border into a Monaco and are staying into the evening you may also need to pack a jacket to meet local dress code requires.
Best Shoes for France in September
One of the trickiest areas of any packing list is shoes. If you are traveling to France in September we recommend packing at least 2-3 pairs of shoes. Our favorite shoes for France at this time of year are:
Sneakers
Sneakers are my top sightseeing shoe for anywhere in Europe. They are good in the cities but are also good on beaches and in the countryside and can even cope well on cobblestones streets, of which there are plenty of in France. .
Just be sure to have a lightweight pair with you that can cope with the heat as well as having sneaker socks with you too. At the moment my go to lightweight sneaker is the All Birds Tree Runner but select the sneaker you are most comfy in. Click here to shop sneakers.
Sandals
Although summer is technically over in France in September, sandals are still a good pick.
If you want to use sandals during the day just be sure to check they are comfortable for doing lots of walking in and that they can cope with different terrains such as cobblestones. France is a country best explored on foot so having a sandal with good arch support is a must for day time use. Teva is one of our favorite brands.
Sandals are good for restaurants where there is a smart casual dress code.
I personally don’t recommend packing sandals or shoes with thin heels (these definitely are on my n what not to wear in France list) as this aren’t good on cobblestones. Instead if you want a shoe with height a wedge is a better pick
Espadrilles are another good alternative to sandals in France at this time of year.
Click here to shop sandals for Europe.
Flip Flops (optional)
These are only required if you are staying in a hotel with a pool or are heading to the beach. If you are staying in cities, flip flops can be left at home.
What to Pack for France in September (non clothing)
So now you know the clothes to pack for France in September, what other items should be on your what to pack for France in September list .
Personally I always pack the below for France in September:
Our essentials to pack for Rome in October are:
- Backpack – for storing items on your day trips.
- Crossbody Bag – anti theft type as with any city it can have issues with pickpockets around main tourist attractions.
- Sun Screen – an essential for all travel packing lisst.
- Aloe Vera / Aftersun – no one wants to get burnt however it is better to have this with you just in case.
- Lipbalm with SPF – Our favorite brand at the minute is sun bum.
- Reusable Water Bottle – There are water fountains all around the city where you can refill your water bottle. This will save you money and is better for the environment so be sure to pack one with you.
- Camera
- Charging Equipment
- Power pack / Battery Pack
- Travel Adapaters for electronics – Greece uses standard European outputs and plugs.
- Beach Bag (optional) – useful if you are visiting an island or plan on doing excursions by boat.
- Towel (optional) – only for those planning on spending time on the beach or on boat excursions. We recommend a quick dry one where possible.
FAQs about our France in September Packing List
What to wear to dinner in France?
France is a great foodie country no matter the time of year you are visiting. So what should you wear to dinner in France?
Most restaurants in France (apart from very touristy ones) will informally adopt a smart casual dress code in evenings. For this reason I tend to wear linen trousers, blouses and sandals or a maxi dress when I dine out in France at night at this time of year.
Do you have any questions about what to wear in France in September? Drop us a comment below and we will do our best to answer.