September – Launch of the Renault 9, a small-four door family saloon with front-wheel drive which falls into the Renault range between the R14 and R18 model ranges. It will share a floorpan with a new hatchback model to replace the R14 from early 1983.
18 September – France abolishes capital punishment, four years after its final execution.
27 September – TGV high speed rail service between Paris and Lyon begins.