Month guide · Lyon · France
Lyon in September
What September is really like in Lyon: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Otourly, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
September is one of the best months to visit Lyon. Expect average highs of 23°C (73°F), lows of 13°C (55°F), about 7 rainy days and roughly 12.5 hours of daylight. Warm and settled, with the city back to full energy; one of the best months to visit.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 23°C (73°F) / 13°C (55°F)
- Rainy days
- About 7
- Daylight
- About 12.5 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in September
September is the 4th-warmest month in Lyon: days average 23°C (73°F) against a yearly average high of 17°C (63°F), and nights fall to about 13°C (55°F). Rain falls on roughly 7 of its 30 days. Compared with August (28°C (82°F)), September is cooler; by October highs drop to around 18°C (64°F).
- Sunrise (15 September)
- About 07:19
- Sunset (15 September)
- About 19:53
- Daylight
- About 12.5 hours
Autumn (September–November). Warm September, harvest season in the Beaujolais, the Festival Lumière and Beaujolais Nouveau in November.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, September rates 4 for crowds (the peak is December at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in December). Book accommodation early: September is one of the pricier months.
Events in September
- European Heritage Days — free entry to normally closed buildings (usually third weekend)
- Lyon Biennale of contemporary art or dance (alternate years, usually from September)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in September
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Market · Part-Dieu
Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse
Go on a Saturday or Sunday late morning for oysters and white wine at the counter, as locals do.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Rainy day
- Iconic
- Free
Religious site · Vieux Lyon
Saint-Jean Cathedral
Lyon's cathedral, built between the 12th and 15th centuries, mixes Romanesque and Gothic styles and has medieval stained glass.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
.jpg){kind=link}
Street · Presqu'île
Place Bellecour and the Presqu'île
Look up at the façades on rue de la République, among the best Second Empire architecture in the city.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Architecture
.jpg){kind=link}
Landmark · Terreaux
Place des Terreaux
The square in front of the 17th-century Hôtel de Ville is dominated by the Bartholdi Fountain, sculpted by the creator of the Statue of Liberty, with horses representing rivers.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- After dark
- History
What to pack
For highs near 23°C, lows near 13°C and 7 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is September a good time to visit Lyon?
One of the best months to visit Lyon, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are April–June and October. Compare every month.
Lyon in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is September a good time to visit Lyon?
It is one of the best months to visit Lyon. Warm and settled, with the city back to full energy; one of the best months to visit.
+How warm is Lyon in September?
Average highs are around 23°C (73°F) and lows around 13°C (55°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Lyon in September?
Expect rain on about 7 days of the month.