September is the month that is both the end of summer and the beginning of autumn in the Loire Valley, one of the most visited destinations in all of France. It is the typical transitional month, with weather that is still quite pleasant, but also gradually getting cooler.
What's The Weather Like In Loire Valley In September
Temperature
In September, you can still spend your days outside, exploring the photogenic scenery on the many trails that run along the river and across the countryside or sightseeing in gorgeous cities such as Nantes. The afternoon temperature averages 20°C this month, which is unquestionably comfortable. Nights, however, get kind of cool, with average low temperatures of 10°C. Both those temperatures decrease by about 2-3 degrees in the course of the monthhe beginning of September is definitely the warmest time of the month. The average temperature is 15°C, which is a two-degree drop since August.
Sunshine Hours
Another thing to decrease as the month progresses is the length of the days. 1st September is the month's longest day with 13.19 daylight hours, while 30th September is the shortest day with 11.42 hours of daylight. This significant 1.37-hour decrease implies that each day is 3.2 minutes longer than the following day.
Combined with a percentage of cloud cover that increases from 52% to 63% in the course of the month, this causes a drop in daily sunshine hours compared with the previous summer months of June, July and August. Now, there are 7 sunshine hours per day on average. This makes it the fourth sunniest month of the year, together with May.
Rain
September receives 54mm of rainfall in total, which is approximately the average monthly amount. This is spread out over 11 days with rainfall. When visiting the Loire Valley in September, you're most likely to experience moderate rain, which occurs on no less than 65% of those 11 rainy days.
Light rain happens on 14% of the days with rainfall, thunderstorms on 10% and drizzle on 9%. The chance that rainfall occurs rises in the course of the month, from 40% in the beginning to 47% at the end.
Loire Valley Hotels In September
Hostellerie de la Mère Hamard
September is a fantastic time to visit the Loire Valley. When planning your trip, consider booking a room at the Hostellerie de la Mère Hamard, a cosy inn in the village of Semblancay, 10 minutes from Tours. This old house has 11 guest rooms and peaceful gardens that are home to songbirds and filled with colourful flowers. Guests can enjoy dinner on the patio, rent a bicycle or simply relax in the gardens.
Hôtel Le Clos d'Amboise
Hôtel Le Clos d'Amboise is housed in an absolutely stunning 17th-century building and surrounded by expansive gardens. This four-star hotel lies in the centre of the historic town of Amboise, an area that's also home to the château of François I as well as a former residence of Leonardo da Vinci. When you're not visiting these great attractions, you can enjoy and use the swimming pool, sauna, bar, library, free Wi-Fi and restaurant.
Hôtel Pavillon des Lys
Featuring only 8 rooms, the four-star Hôtel Pavillon des Lys is also in Amboise and offers views of the château, has an outdoor terrace and boasts beautiful décor. An absolutely recommended place to stay in the Loire Valley, this is a luxury accommodation in the town centre, its classy restaurant serving exquisite cuisine. There is also a garden where guests can unwind after a day of sightseeing.
Bars And Restaurants
Brasserie de la Poste
In the very heart of Montargis lies Brasserie de la Poste. Its main feature is its amazing outdoor terrace, which makes it a strongly recommended place to grab a bite to eat and unwind with a drink in September. An eating establishment couldn't be more French than this one, housed in a large stone building, and decorated with wooden tables and chairs and plenty of greenery. Its menu consists of traditional, regional dishes.
Restaurant Lamotte Beuvron
Hôtel Restaurant Tatin is situated in the middle of the Sologne. Its restaurant, Restaurant Lamotte Beuvron, serves traditional French gourmet food prepared with fresh ingredients. Make sure to finish off your meal with the restaurant's famous tarte Tatin.
Bistrot N'home
In Tours, consider opting for dinner at Bistrot N'home. This smallish eating venue prides itself on its homemade dishes. The menu is made up of hearty food, which is prepared with the freshest produce and ingredients available. This is why it changes regularly, according to availability.
Things To Do In Loire Valley In September
Bourges Cathedral
The entire region is dotted with amazing buildings. One of the most striking buildings that's not a château is the Bourges Cathedral. This UNESCO World Heritage Site in the royal city of Bourges dates from the 12th century and is one of the most imposing churches in all of France. Its surface area is no less than 5,900 square metres, its nave measures 37 metres high. The dimensions of this structure are mind-boggling. Inside the Bourges Cathedral, you can admire rare stained-glass windows from the 13th century, beautiful paintings and superb stonework.
Shops
During your September vacation, a time of year that has warm temperatures but fewer tourists, you are also encouraged to explore the region's shops, craft stores and art galleries. Typical crafts of the Loire Valley include glassblowing, woodworking, pottery making and perfume making. So, if you're looking for a souvenir to remember your great trip to this amazing region by, make sure to pick up one (or more) of these crafty items.
