Wondering what to wear in Paris in September? In this guide we will tell you how to pack for Paris in September for sightseeing, the weather, dress codes, dinner and more.
Important Note: This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click through and make a purchase I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you!
Weather in Paris in September
Although summer is drawing to a close in September, you will still find that the temperatures are still relatively warm in this month.
But what sort of temperatures can you expect in Paris in September?
How hot is Paris in September?
Although not the hottest month in Paris September is still pleasant to visit. Generally speaking you can expect the temperatures to have an average high of 22C/71F and average lows of 13C / 55F.
Remember if your visit covers two months be sure to check out our other Paris monthly guides. The weather does change in Paris month to month, and you never known when there are some special events that do require at alteration to the dress code.
And if you are visiting other areas of France then be sure to check out our other regional guides for summer
- What to wear in the South of France in Summer
- What to wear in Cannes
- What to wear in Nice
- What to wear in Corsica
- What to wear in France in September
Note: although the weather in this guide are historical averages however we advise always checking the weather at your destination 7 days in advance in case of anomalies such as cold snaps and heat waves.
Is it rainy in Paris in September?
The good news is that September in Paris is one of the drier months. On average there is about 51mm of rain in Paris in September which falls over 8 days. Therefore even if you do get rain during your visit in September, it is more likely to be in the form of light showers rather than sustained rain.
However all our Paris packing lists no matter the time of year include a compact umbrella because you never know with Paris but it is unlikely you are going to need a raincoat in September.
Note: Paris in September is still counted as peak season. Therefore we recommend buying your Paris attraction tickets in advance with skip the line access for some of the most popular attractions such as the Louvre, Eiffel Tower and Disneyland Paris to name but a few.
How do Locals Dress in Paris In September
You will find that many of the locals will still dress in their summer clothes during September but with added layers, and they will also have umbrellas in their bags too as the weather turns more autumnal.
Also although a very stylish bunch you won’t tend to find Parisians wearing short shorts, mini skirts and dresses in the city. For this reason they are on my what not to wear in Paris list instead.
What to Wear in Paris in September
So now you know what to expect from the weather, what should you wear in Paris in September?
Best Shoes for Paris in September
Sneakers
Any visit to Paris will involve a lot of walking no matter the month you are visiting. In fact it is a city best explored on foot. For this reason it is really important to have comfortable walking shoes with you.
For me sneakers really can’t be beaten for Paris in September. My favorite brands for travel tend to Hoka and All birds but for Paris in September my go to is a white sneaker such as the Addidas Cloud Foam brand.
However please note that some of the more upscale restaurants will not allow sneakers / trainers so do check your restaurant dress code. Also it is common for nightclubs in Paris to say no sneakers.
If you want to know what to wear in Paris at night check out this post.
Top Tip: We recommend packing sneaker socks and some odour eaters if you have room in your case just in case your feet do get sweaty when wearing sneakers to sightsee around the city.
Sandals
Sandals are great for Paris in September when you will be walking in the heat. They also work for restaurants and evenings out particularly in places where sneakers aren’t appropriate.
We recommend selecting a pair with good arch support.
Note: flip flops are not a good idea for walking around Paris. They offer little in the way of arch support and aren’t good for days where you will be doing lots of walking and sightseeing.
Also if you want a shoe with some height then you should consider wedges instead of stilettos as these are safer and more practical in the city.
Click here to shop sandals for Paris.
What to wear in Paris in September for women
Skirts and dresses
Skirts and dresses are perfect for touring Paris in September. Personally I think maxi and midi dresses are more in keeping with local style than mini dresses and skirts.
Skirts and dresses also work for day and night in Paris and can be easily dressed up or down to meet dress code requirements with a few good accessory choices.
Click here to shop skirts and dresses for Paris.
Trousers
If skirts and dresses aren’t your thing then trousers are a great choice. Depending on the time of month you are traveling will depend on the type of trousers that are best.
In early September I recommend packing looser fitting linen and cotton trousers instead. And towards the end of September jeans are fine.
If you do decide on packing linen be sure to check out our guide on how to pack linen for travel without wrinkles.
Note: I don’t normally put shorts on any Paris packing list for women as they aren’t something you will find locals wearing. However there aren’t many dress codes in Paris that exclude you wearing shorts. Therefore if you want to wear shorts you can but you will look more like a tourist in them.
Click here to shop trousers for Paris.
Blouse
Loose blouses are perfect for London in the summer for both sightseeing and going out to dinner. They can be dressed up or down for night and day, and work in almost all venues that you will be visiting. Click here to shop blouses.
T Shirt
I don’t think I ever visit London without a t shirt on the packing list. As September is still pretty warm short sleeve t shirts tend to be the best options.
Tanks are also suitable as there are no London dress codes that they are against.
I recommend picking plain t shirts instead of patterned, graphic or slogan tees to be more in keeping with the local style.
Note: don’t lean in too much to the striped Breton and red look. It will undoubtedly mark you as a tourist. However a striped t shirt on its own is fine for Paris paired with nice trousers or skirt.
Jacket
Coats are not required in London in the summer. However a jacket is always a good idea.
Any style of jacket will do but you can never go wrong with a denim jackets in London. Click here to shop jackets.
Pashmina
A pashmina is always on my Paris packing list even in Fall.
It can act as a scarf to dress or a a more casual outfit but is a useful extra layer on cooler nights and days. Shop pashminas here.
Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying.
We recommend packing sneaker socks and some odour eaters if you have room in your case just in case your feet do get sweaty when wearing sneakers to sightsee around the city. There is nothing worse than stinky and sweaty shoes
PJs or Nightie
Lightweight pyjamas and nighties are essential for Paris in Fall. That is because although some hotels will have air conditioning, airbnbs will not usually have air con. Therefore you will want lightweight nightwear and loungewear with you.
Sunglasses
The sun can be bright in Paris so I definitely wouldn’t go in September without a pair of shades that offers good UV protection.
What to Wear in Paris in September Packing List for Men
The rules of what to pack for Paris in September for men is similar to women. We recommend packing
Shorts
Shorts are perfect for sightseeing in Paris in September. The only places you can’t wear shorts are in churches.
Where possible we recommend packing more tailored shorts instead of cargo shorts to be more in keeping with local styles.
Chinos/Linen Trousers
Chinos and linen trousers are perfect for Paris in September as they are the perfect weight for the weather. Again I would save packing jeans for the end of the month.
T Shirts and Shirts
Short sleeve t shirts are perfect for sightseeing during the day in September as our tank tops, except for in churches. However for evenings I would recommend having a button down shirt with long sleeves and maybe a polo shirt for day to night transition outfits.
Blazer
Coats definitely aren’t needed for September in Paris however a lightweight top layer like a sweater or jacket is always a good idea.
Underwear / Loungewear
Sunglasses
What to Pack for Paris in September (Non Clothing)
Now you know the clothes you should bring to Paris what else should you pack for visiting this amazing city in September?
We recommend
- Compact Umbrella – essential for any month in Paris.
- Crossbody bag – one with plenty of zips that can put off pick pockets is best when at Paris’ main tourist attractions.
- Reusable Water bottle – as the temperatures are still hot in September, you will need to stay hydrated.
- Sunscreen
- Aloe Vera / Aftersun
- Toiletries – for our essential toiletries packing list click here.
- Medication
- Travel First Aid Kit
- Blister plasters
- Camera
- Travel Adaptor
- Power Pack / Battery charger
Note: if you have room in your suitcase then you can bring toiletries with you. However toiletries are very easy to buy in Paris in supermarkets or pharmacies. Therefore we would recommend leaving the toiletries at home and buying them on arrival. It will save space in your case.
What to wear in Paris in September FAQs
Do I need swimwear in Paris in September?
It is unlikely that you will need swimwear in PAris in September. The only reason you should consider packing bathing suits for Paris in Fall is if:
- you are staying at a Paris hotel with a pool (there aren’t that many)
- you are planning to visit one of Paris’ many outdoor swimming pools / lidos.
- you are traveling to another place in France or abroad where you have access to the pool or are going to the coast.
If none of these things apply to you then you should be safe to leave the swimwear at home.
Do you need a raincoat for Paris in September?
Paris isn’t overly rainy in September and you should be able to miss rain showers by ducking into shops or attractions and having a trusty travel umbrella to hand. For this reason I never travel to Paris in September with a raincoat.
But I do always travel to Paris with a compact umbrella, just in case.
Do you have any questions about what to wear in Paris in September that we haven’t answered here? Then pop us a comment below and we will do our best to answer them as quick as we can.