10 Destinations Ideas for a September Vacation in France

It’s the start of the school year for many, but not for you! If you’re wondering where to go on vacation in September, we have prepared this list of the top ten September vacation destinations in France.

 

La Sologne

 

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La Sologne is a natural region of France in the Centre-Val-de-Loire.

If you want to feel closer to nature, take a hike through the middle of the forest. You can choose from different routes, including one with hidden castles (website in French).

During this 12 mile route, you will discover the Château de Bon Hôtel, the Château de la Motte Longuet, and the Château de la Cantée.

During your stay, stop by the town of Romorantin and visit the Sologne Museum (website in French), which is spread between three old mills, to learn all about Leonardo da Vinci’s visit to the area at the invitation of King Francis I.

For the last seventeen years, an association called Nuits de Sologne (website in French) has been organizing pyrotechnic shows in the region during the month of September.

If you want to be dazzled by a huge fireworks show, go to Lamotte-Beuvron on the first weekend in September.

The show starts at 9:30 pm, but you can enjoy musical entertainment starting at 5 pm. It’s a good way to spend an unforgettable evening!

 

Toulon

This city near Marseille has a lot to offer.

Located by the Mediterranean Sea, the port city is also right next to a mountain: Mont Faron. You can take a cable car up the mountain to admire the city from above.

If you go all the way to the top, you can stop at the Parc Animalier du Mont Faron (website in French), a zoo with about twenty animal species.

While most are felines, there are also wolves, raccoons, chickens, baboons, and lemurs.

In addition, do not forget to stop at the Memorial of Mont Faron (website in French) which is dedicated to the landing and the liberation of Provence.

Every September, the Bol d’Or (website in French) takes place. This international motorcycle race lasts twenty-four hours. If you are a motorcycle enthusiast, you probably already know about it! The event takes place in Castellet on the Paul Ricard Circuit, not far from Toulon.

A crazy weekend with more than 500 drivers, 60,000 visitors, and a concert awaits you!

 

Strasbourg

As the official seat of the European Parliament, Strasbourg is a very important city in the Grand Est region.

It is so important that its city center, located on the Grande Île, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

While there, you can discover the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Strasbourg as well as a huge palace called the Palais Rohan, which houses several museums.

Stop by the Place Kléber to admire the iconic architecture of this city with many nicknames, including the City of Roads, the Capital of Christmas, and the Capital of Sauerkraut and Flammekueche.

In September, you can attend the Festival Musica (website in French), an international festival of contemporary classical music.

Yes, you read that correctly! The festival puts the most significant music of the 20th century on a collision course with new generations of artists.

This clash of musical generations is not to be missed if you like classical (and contemporary) music.

The event lasts about three weeks, and the program is packed with meetings, shows, and concerts hidden in unusual places throughout the city.

 

Dieppe

The city of Dieppe is located on the edge of the English Channel and is full of surprises.

Come spend some time on the beach (even in September!) and admire the view of the sea and the horizon.

After getting your fill of the ocean breeze, take a stroll through the city, including its ports and the Pont Colbert, and visit the Musée de Dieppe (website in French), which is located in a historic castle.

You can also board the Dieppe tourist train near the beach if you prefer to explore the seaside city of art and history without doing too much walking.

The tour lasts about 45 minutes and takes you to the most important places in the city.

In September, the city welcomes nearly a thousand kite flyers from all over the world for the Festival International de Cerf-Volant de Dieppe.

If you like colorful shows, do not miss this festival: it will amaze you !

 

Saint-Tropez

Made famous by the numerous movies set in it, Saint-Tropez makes many people dream.

It is a coastal city that will inspire you with its remarkable preservation.

Its nightlife, like its beaches, continues to attract an international crowd.

A former fishing village, Saint-Tropez still has the charm of yesteryear, especially in the cobbled district of the Ponche.

Be sure to visit the Musée de la Gendarmerie et du Cinéma (website in French), which is famous for being the filming location of the saga Le Gendarme — a true gem of French movie culture.

In this museum, you can explore the myth and reality of Saint-Tropez through the movies!

If you visit Saint-Tropez in September, don’t miss the nautical event Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez (website in French) to admire both prestigious sailing ships and more modern ones.

Animations, crew parades, sailboat races… if you love the sea and sailing, you’ll love this event.

 

Crémieu

Crémieu, a small village in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, is known for having preserved its medieval city.

If you want to enjoy a relaxing vacation near the mountains, look no further.

Be sure to taste the local specialties during your visit:

• The sabodet, a large pig’s head sausage
• The foyesse, a sugar pie
• The lauzes, thin sheets of chocolate with grated almonds and hazelnuts

In September, the village has a very atypical tradition. You can participate in the Médiévales de Crémieu (website in French), a festival that will let you travel back in time!

The event usually draws several tens of thousands of people, and dressing up is essential.

You can wear medieval costumes while discovering the various activities offered: a parade of costumes, street shows, demonstrations, exhibitions, and workshops.

The important thing during this festival is to have fun!

 

Deauville

Deauville, a very famous city in Normandy, is located on the Côte Fleurie in northern France.

It is, above all, a luxurious coastal town with a large casino, several golf courses, and even horse races.

Even though the weather is generally cooler in September, we recommend going to the promenade Les Planches, which is right next to the beach and dates back to the 1920s.

You should also stop by Les Franciscaines, an impressive cultural venue that includes a museum, an auditorium, temporary exhibitions, and various workshops.

But why go to Deauville in September?

The Festival du Cinéma Américain de Deauville, which began in 1975, takes place in September. It is the only European festival of this scale that is open to the public.

Five prizes are awarded each year at the festival’s Palmarès ceremony.

Whether you are a fan of Hollywood cinema or are simply curious, you will have the opportunity to watch more than 60 movies.

If you like American movie production, you won’t want to miss this event.

 

Tours

 

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This university town is quite impressive for many reasons. First, it is surrounded by the Loire and the Cher, both of which are important rivers for the region.

It is also home to the Rue Nationale de Tours, a beautiful 800 meter long pedestrian street that runs from Place Anatole-France to Place Jean Jaurès.

Many shops, as well as the tram tracks, are located on this street.

If you’re eager to learn, stop by the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle de Tours (website in French), which has its own vivarium that houses reptiles, amphibians, insects, and fish.

If you’re visiting the city in September, don’t miss the Vignes, Vins et Randos (website in French) event, which offers hikes and tastings in different nearby towns.

If you would rather stay in Tours, nine hikes are available in the area. Planned by winemakers, they are accessible to all. Breaks are also organized to allow participants to taste local products such as wine and cheese.

 

Calvi

Calvi is a seaside town in Corsica with a half-moon shaped bay.

One of the town’s main attractions is its medieval citadel, a fortress perched high on the cliffs where the famous explorer Christopher Columbus is said to have been born.

A mountain peak, Capu Di à Veta, is also located near the city. From the peak, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the bay.

The beach and a mountain: what could be better?

If you visit in September, you can attend the Rencontres de Chants Polyphoniques (website in French), a cultural tradition of the city.

For five days, polyphonic groups from all over the world perform at the Citadel of Calvi, creating a unique moment in an atypical city.

 

Saint-Cloud

 

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Located very close to Paris and bordered by the Seine, Saint-Cloud is the ideal destination if you don’t want to go far from the capital.

It is known for its enormous 460-hectare park that was once the home of a castle built by Louis XIV’s brother. Unfortunately, the castle was burned down in 1870 and razed in 1892.

Every year in September, the Grand Feu de Saint Cloud (website in French) is organized. It is the largest fireworks display in Europe.

Up to 23,000 people gather from 9 to 11 pm to see the fireworks. If you arrive early (around 8:30 pm) you can also enjoy a refreshment stand and a small restaurant.

If you travel to Paris in September, don’t miss this show. You will be immersed in a unique atmosphere as you anticipate each explosion.