That’s it—summer is gradually coming to an end. But don’t worry— there’s no shortage of things to do in September to keep you busy! Here are all our recommendations to brighten up the start of the school year!
Free admission on September 19 and 20 to the world’s oldest rose garden, open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.! For the perfect nature getaway to kick off the new school year, head to the European Heritage Days: the historic rose garden in L’Haÿ-les-Roses is opening its paths for free on September 19 and 20, with more than 11,000 rose bushes and about 3,000 varieties to discover from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A unique candlelit evening to listen to Vivaldi under the trees and the stars! For a back-to-school outing that’s as poetic as it is original, mark your calendars: on Friday, September 4, 2026, at 9:30 p.m., the Jardin d’Acclimatation will host an open-air Candlelight Signature concert where the Ensemble Paname will perform Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, illuminated by thousands of candles.
To extend summer before the school year begins, headto the Paris-Vincennes racetrack on September 30, and October 1, 3, 7, 8, and 10for the Harry Potter™ DroneArt Show. On the program: 1,200 illuminated drones that recreate the saga’s iconic characters and moments in the sky, set to its iconic soundtrack. Each spectator receives an exclusive LED wristband to fully participate in the show, and the experience continues before the drones take to the sky with food stands and a selection of merchandise (wands, scarves, collectibles) so you can take a little magic home with you. An enchanting open-air interlude, perfect for wrapping up the summer on a decidedly Hogwarts note before heading back to school—a 60-minute show.
From August 27 to September 20, 24 restaurants from France, Spain, Germany, and Portugal will compete at the Parvis de la Défense for the title of Europe’s best burger. The public tastes the burgers, votes via QR code, and each vote offers a chance to win a trip along the legendary Route 66. Free admission, every day from noon to midnight.
Climb aboard for an hour of challenges, adrenaline, and treasures! To spice up your September in Paris, the Pirate Experience transforms the city into an immersive playground: across nearly 400 m², groups tackle six themed rooms in one hour to collect gold coins and tryto reach the final treasure. It’s the ideal fun and active way to break out of your routine.
Come stroll through a Monet painting ata free, immersive festival in Chatou. To extend summer with a change-of-scene outing just outside Paris, head to Chatou: the Festival Lumières Impressionnistes transforms the Hameau Fournaise on the Île des Impressionnistes into a luminous, green immersion dedicated to Monet. The 2026 edition features projections, performances, dance, and workshops on September 11 and 12, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
The start of the cultural season promises to be more vibrant than ever! Head to La Défense to discover the Zoo Art Show, one of the most immersive street art experiences in Paris right now. In an entire 4,000 m² building, more than 500 international artists are taking over five floors with monumental murals, immersive installations, and ultra-graphic scenography. After the summer break, this is the ideal arty outing to enjoy in Paris this September for an inspiring start to the new season!
The Labrouste Room at the INHA will be open to the public free of charge on September 19 and 20, 2026. For the perfect cultural outing to kick off the new school year, take advantage of European Heritage Days to visit the library of the National Institute of Art History (Labrouste Room), which will open its doors to the public free of charge on September 19, 2026, featuring guided tours, lectures, and workshops.
Take the stage, perform a 30-minute show in front of a virtual crowd, and become the star of the evening! For a back-to-school outing that’s a refreshing change from the usual, Chante! reinvents karaoke in Paris with an immersive concert where you become the star: a dressing room, vocal coaching, costumes, and an interactive digital crowd for a 30-minute show. The venue also offers bars, dining, and packages for birthdays, bachelor/bachelorette parties, or team-building events.
A unique, hidden gem dedicated to naïve art in the heart of Montmartre. For the perfect cultural outing in Paris this September, head to La Halle Saint-Pierre, tucked away in the 18th arrondissement in Montmartre: a unique space that combines a museum of naïve art, a bookstore, and a café. There, you can explore 3 to 4 exhibitions a year (art brut, outsider art, naïve art, surrealist art), with admission generally ranging from €7 to €10.
As school starts again, head to the 11th arrondissement for a dual immersive journey—on one side, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo come to life 10 meters high in “Renaissance,” featuring 3D reproductions and unique atmospheric effects; on the other, “The Little Prince” unfolds its poetic world on the venue’s walls and floor, for a family-friendly experience suitable for children ages 3 and up. Two 50-minute experiences—don’t miss them before the new school year begins!
In September, a heritage pass costing around €100 will grant access to nearly 500 sites during Heritage Days. Mark your calendars for the start of the school year: Heritage Days will take place on September 19 and 20, 2026. They will coincide with the launch of a heritage pass that grants access to nearly 500 monuments, museums, castles, and gardens throughout France. The pass, offered as a subscription, will cost around 100 € and will be available in solo, duo, or family packages.
There are immersive experiences, and then there are immersive experiences. But when it comes to certainties, you (normally) can’t be too indecisive—except at Paradox Museum Paris. If you haven’t checked it out yet, it’s high time to test your limits against this steamroller that flattens all our convictions about reality. Gravity room, upside-down room, vortex… Have you had the chance to go yet? Come discover the 90 absolutely mind-blowing activities that will turn your brain upside down and (literally) make your head spin. After all that effort, it’s time for a treat: treat yourself to some ice cream at the excellent Hansel & Gretel ice cream shop.
Buren’s iconic stripes are transforming Monet’s landscape this summer in Giverny. If you’re in the mood for a cultural getaway just outside Paris in September, mark your calendars for this special exhibition: from July 17 to November 1, 2026, the Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny has commissioned Daniel Buren to create the exhibition “Plantations, works in situ, 2026,” which will take over the gardens and galleries to foster a dialogue between the artist’s colorful stripes and Monet’s landscape.
Why not swap the back-to-school routine for a healthy dose of curiosity? With Science Expériences, head to Bercy Village for an immersive and fun experience that takes you on a journey into the heart of science! From space to the ocean floor, via the human body, physics, and natural phenomena, this sensory journey combines virtual reality, projections, hands-on activities, and scientific experiments to make learning fun. Perfect for a family outing in Paris, an activity with the kids, or simply to hold onto that vacation feeling a little longer, Science Expériences offers, above all, an excellent way to kick off the new school year by filling up on discoveries. So, who said September has to be all about routine?
An XXL weekend on the Île des Impressionnistes combining electronic music and a carnival. To keep that vacation spirit alive as school starts, head to the Elektric Park x Madame Loyal festival, taking place on September 5 and 6, 2026, on the Île des Impressionnistes in Chatou, featuring 4 stages and around 30 artists. The weekend will feature a mix of techno, house, and trance music, along with carnival rides, circus performances, and LED projections.
Head to iconic venues (such as the Maison de l’Océan) to enjoy candlelit concerts. Whether it’s reviving classic composers or spotlighting contemporary talents from a wide range of musical backgrounds, that’s the brilliant concept behind Candlelight.
Looking for a unique outing in September? Discover the Paris Aquarium, an amazing underground space that’s over 150 years old. Located beneath the Trocadéro and inaugurated during the 1878 World’s Fair, the Paris Aquarium spans 3,500 m² underground and is home to approximately 13,500 fish and invertebrates, including 50 sharks and Europe’s largest jellyfish exhibit. As a scientific and educational venue, it offers evening tours every Saturday night until 9:00 p.m.
If you’ve never taken the time to visit the Arc de Triomphe, now’s the time! Standing 50 meters tall, this iconic Parisian monument offers a breathtaking view of the entire city. And you can even visit it for free, under certain conditions! Otherwise, be sure to book your tickets for the Arc de Triomphe here.
A weekend where exceptional cuisine meets the dance floor. To extend summer in Paris this September, head to BigFest, back for its 4th edition on September 18 and 19, 2026, at La Felicità ( Paris’s 13th arrondissement). A festival that combines a food market with top Parisian restaurants and a DJ lineup running from lunchtime until 3 a.m.
Let’s shake off the back-to-school blues with a fun and friendly event! TOCA Social Paris is the new spot to extend summer and get together with friends, coworkers, or family for an experience that blends games, street food, cocktails, and a great atmosphere. Here, you’ll enjoy a series of interactive games and challenges open to everyone: soccer goal shooting, foosball, table tennis… all while enjoying a few drinks and some dishes to share. No need to be a pro: the idea is mainly to play together, challenge each other, and have a laugh. Whether it’s for an after-work get-together in Paris, an outing with friends, a birthday party, or simply a unique activity to do in Paris this September, TOCA Social is the perfect spot to reconnect after the summer break and leave the stress of going back to school behind.
The Monnaie de Paris transforms into an electronic dance floor for a unique 360° sound experience. To keep the vacation vibe going in September, head to FIP 360, which turns the Monnaie de Paris’s main courtyard into an immersive electronic music party on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, featuring an L-ISA sound system and three headliners from the French music scene. About 2,000 people are expected to attend sets by Chloé, Kangding Ray (360° live), and Abs8lute.
We’re taking you on a tour of an incredible museum —far less well-known than the Louvre, yet no less charming. The Bourdelle Museum, dedicated to the works of the famous sculptor, will impress you with its beauty and serene setting. And the best part is that part of the exhibition is completely free all year round.
Five days to rethink electronic music through debates, creative projects, and parties! To keep the back-to-school energy going, head to Paris Electronic Week, which returns September 30 through October 4, 2026, in Paris and the surrounding suburbs. On the agenda: five days of conferences, masterclasses, workshops, and festive parties centered around electronic music.
Have you ever checked out this rooftop terrace? It offers an absolutely uniqueview of fourof the capital’s landmarks! It’s rare enough to be worth mentioning, and it’s the perfect way to treat yourself to a moment to relax and break out of the routine!
Head to one of the capital’s iconic spots: Le Gallopin. Located across from the Palais Brogniart, this elegant establishment—which dates back more than 140 years—was one of the capital’s first cocktail bars. It’s a festive restaurant where, as you’ll see, elegance is evident in every detail, from the decor to the dining experience…
This time, head to Toucy , a charming fortified village straight out of a fairy tale. It was here, tucked away in the Yonne department, that Pierre Larousse was born (yes, the man behind the famous dictionary of the same name). Between its pretty half-timbered houses, its flower-filled town center, and its fortified castle, you’ll have plenty to do!
Part cultural hub, part urban garden, Jardin21 —spanning 1,850 m²—offers a varietyof outdoor activities, including gardening, music, socially conscious markets, sports, and festivals, so you can wander at your leisure. From Wednesday through Sunday, you can enjoya program brimming with summer vibes: artisan and secondhand markets, lectures, creative workshops and plant first-aid sessions, music blind tests , dance classes, artist residencies, and disco/house DJ sets .
As the school year begins, we invite you to try a unique activity: create your own ceramic piece. Several cafés in Paris invite you to paint the piece of your choice. Our favorite? Gaby Café Céramique. We love going there for its friendly atmosphere and to take advantage of Gabriel’s great advice. Plus, the café serves delicious drinks, like an exquisite iced coffee! Don’t miss it!
In September, temperatures are already starting to drop gently… It’s the perfect opportunity to warm your heart by enjoying a delicious homemade hot chocolate! Our favorite? The hot chocolate from Angelina! Smooth and very comforting—just the way we like it.