Paris events calendar - September 2018

September in Paris is a very unique time, the summer mentality still lingers, yet the city has come back to life after the slower summer months. September is what the French call la rentrée, meaning the return, return to school, return to work, back to business as usual. September in Paris is full of movement, and as many of the summer tourists have gone home and the Parisians have returned from summer vacation, the city is at its best, bustling with authentic energy. So what's going on this September in Paris ithat you simply cannot miss? Theatre in Paris is pleased to bring the very first installment of our monthly Paris events calendar, so you never miss a beat in the City of Lights. From expositions and shows, festivals and forums, here's all the Parisian events to check out:

Paris Design Week

​September 6-15, 2018

Paris Design Week is holding its 7th edition in 2018, and the event has quickly written its chapter in the books to discover new international design talent, feature new collections, and celebrate the opening of new venues. There will be participating events, soirées, and workshops all over the city, so for anyone with a passion for design and architecture, this Parisian event is for you!

Details here

New shows in playhouses across the city

​Starting in September: Chicago, the Musical & Cyrano de Bergerac

September is a big month for the Paris theatre scene, as many venues reopen their doors with brand new shows after summer closings. Parisian theatre-goers are in for a treat this September, with the start of a brand new hit musical and the return of a few French classics. The best part? They all feature English subtitles by your truly, so you no longer need to worry about the language barrier.



Chicago, the Musical premiering at the legendary Théâtre Mogador September 27 and running through January 2019. This iconic musical theatre classic will take you on a scandalously chic musical journey in one of Paris’ most iconic venues, famous for its Broadway-style musical productions. With jazzy musical numbers and choreography reminiscient of Paris' music halls, Chicago perfectly combines the Parisian cabaret and prohibition nightlife atmospheres, an irresistably Parisian night out.



Cyrano de Bergerac and Molière's The Miser are returning to the historic Théâtre Ranelagh, starting September 14 and 29, respectively, and running through the end of 2018. Explore more about this mysterious venue!

Cyrano, the most famous love triangle in history, and the ever-famous piece from Molière and his penny-pinching miser, audiences are in for a laugh and a dose of classic French theatre with these two returning hits!

Paris outdoor opera at Invalides

September 5-8, 2018

Each year, the Moma Group plays classic opera in prestigious outdoor locations throughout France, always finishing with a grand finale at the Invalides Esplanade in the heart of Paris. This year, the show in question is the legendary Carmen, with top notch talent and production team. Let summer live on just a bit longer, and grab a spot on the Invalides lawn for an evening of outdoor fun. Our suggestion? Have a picnic as the sun sets over Invalides, before you take in the operatic tunes of the Spanish based tale of Carmen!

Details here

Le Grand Feu fireworks at Saint Cloud

September 8, 2018

Did you know the biggest fireworks display in all of Europe happens right outside Paris every September? Head to Saint Cloud to see Le Grand Feu. What does the show entail? Two whole hours of glittering fireworks, all for an audience of over 20K people from all over the world! That seems like a lot of people, and space is limited and tckets to have lawn viewing have to be reserved in advanced here.

Jazz at La Villette

August 30 - September 9, 2018

La Villette may be a bit out of the way of the typical tourist circuit, but there's loads of cultural activities to discover in this unique location. From a wide array of renovated outdoor discovery zones for all ages, the Science Museum of Paris, theatres, and the Paris philharmonic orchestra. One of the best events at La Villette is the series of jazz concerts every September that make up the Jazz à la Villette Paris music festival. You can expect artists from all over the world to participate in this jazzy Paris music festival. With so many activities for all ages all in one place, we recommend checking out the line-up and selecting a night with a performer of choice, and then spending the day exploring the area before the evening jazz tunes begin!

​See the show programme and further details here

Care to explore some more Paris music festivals?

European Heritage Days (Journées du Patrimoine)

September 15-16, 2018

Each year continental Europe hosts a special series of events to celebrate the culture and heritage of the different nations and regions, known as European Heritage Days. For 2 full days across France, you'll find special exhibits and behind the scenes exclusive looks at many museums and monuments, as well as access to many locations normally closed to the public. The program for the 2 days is jam-packed, and some portions require reservation in advance. 2018 will mark the 35th edition of this annual event, and will feature over 26 thousand special animations throughout France.

Explore more

Goût de France food festival

September 21-23, 2018

2018 marks the 8th edition of this annual event dedicated to French cuisine, recently rebaptised as Goût de France, previously referred to as the Fête de la Gastronomie. If there's one thing the French are proud about (and rightly so), it's their cuisine. Did you know French cuisine is UNESCO protected as part of France's rich heritage? For 3 days in France and across the globe, French cuisine will be celebrated, with tastings, picnics, and workshops with top chefs to share the art and knowledge behind French gastronomy. Who participates? Everyone from cooking schools to wine caves open their doors for special events to share their knowledge and expertise! Whether you're in Paris this September or anywhere else around the globe, check out their list of planned events and see if there's one near you!

Catch Picasso all over Paris

This Fall in Paris is going to be very much focused on Pablo Picasso. While he may be a Spanish painter, like Salvador Dali he spent the majority of his professional career living and working in Paris, and naturally the city has influenced his work. There is not one but two special Picasso exhibits starting in Paris this September, perfect for anyone wishing to admire some thought-provoking pieces.

Picasso, Blue and Rose starting September 18, 2018 at the Musée d'Orsay, running through January 2019. This exclusive exhibition is dedicated to the painter's blue and rose period during the younger stages of his career, featuring pieces never before displayed in France. The exhibition is in collaboration with the Clevand Museum of Art.

Picasso, Chefs d'oeuvre (Masterpieces) at the Musée de Picasso in Paris starting September 4, 2018, through January 2019. This special exhibition at the museum in the artist's name seeks to bring together some of his most famous works, some of which are also being displayed in France for the first time. With a special focus on the critical reception of Picasso, the exhibit will explore not only his works, but archived articles and publications to dive deeper into the reputation of Pablo Picasso.

Impressionists in London at the Petit Palais - Exhibit ending soon!

While not a new exhibit to the Paris scene, this September will be your last chance to see this exquisite collection of Impressionist pieces, all completed by French artists in exile in London during the later half of the 19th century. After the Franco-Prussian War and the fall of France's Second Empire, many artists were forced to seek refuge in neighboring countries, and many flocked to London which boasted a safe haven for artists and a thriving art market. This period had a marked impact on French art, and it is this very influence that this unique exhibit in a gorgeous venue seeks to explore. Catch this unique collection before it leaves the Petit Palais October 14, 2018.

Explore more

Atelier des Lumières

April - November, 2018

While the Atelier des Lumières has been the hit new exhibition to discover in Paris for a few months, September is a perfect time to check it out. During the first few months, the lines were horrendous and it was almost impossible to get in to see this unique performance, but now that many of the Parisians have already checked it out and will be busy with back to school worries, it will be much less crowded. What is the Atelier des Lumières exactly? It's a unique venue using digital technology and art to transform the space into a light show of sorts. There are currently 3 different artists featured, including Gustav Klimt. The venue is brand new, and visits take roughly an hour, during which time you can wander freely to take in the digital artwork experience!

Explore more and get your tickets here

Explore the parks and gardens of Paris

Last but not least, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention all the amazing outdoor spaces across Paris that are entirely worth exploring during the pleasant month of September. While the parks in Paris can get busy with Parisians during the summer months, by September the crowds will have gone back to work, and you may even get the place to yourselves. Many of these outdoor spaces were designed by celebrated architects, and admiring the sculptures and fountains can be like walking through an outdoor museum. Here's some of our favorites, and check out more parks and gardens in Paris

Park Montsouris

Luxembourg Gardens

Park Monceau

Buttes Chaumont

...and more!

So there you have it, all the best things to check out in the City of Lights this September. Check back next month for the next edition of our Paris monthly events calendar!