Plan & pack
Rouen weather in September.
Early autumn brings golden light, mild days and one of the driest, quietest windows to explore the old town. Here's what to expect and what to bring.
Early autumn brings golden light, mild days and one of the driest, quietest windows to explore the old town. Here's what to expect and what to bring.
September is a gentle transition into autumn, with daytime highs averaging around 21°C and cooler nights near 11°C. It's traditionally one of the driest months of the year in Rouen, with roughly 50–58mm of rain across 8–9 days, and sunshine tapering to around 150–160 hours for the month as days shorten.
| Metric | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Average high | 20–21°C (68–70°F) |
| Average low | 10–11°C (50–52°F) |
| Rainfall | ≈50–58mm across the month |
| Rainy days | 8–9 days |
| Sunshine hours | ≈150–160 hours |
| Daylight | ~12.5 hours, sunset near 8pm |
✅ One of the driest months of the year, with reliably mild, walkable weather.
✅ Golden autumn light on the Seine and half-timbered streets — a favourite month for photographers.
✅ Quiet and good value — summer crowds have thinned and hotel rates ease off.
⚠️ Days shorten quickly — plan outdoor sightseeing earlier in the day as sunset moves toward 7:30–8pm by month's end.
⚠️ Cooler evenings — a proper jacket becomes necessary after dark.
September is arguably the best-kept-secret month for Rouen sightseeing — comfortable temperatures, thinner crowds, and beautiful early-autumn light on the cathedral façade, especially for anyone tracing Monet's cathedral paintings. It's also an excellent time for a day trip to Giverny, where the gardens take on rich autumn colours before closing for the season in late October/early November.
More planning help in our visiting Rouen FAQ and when to go.