Yes, it might be nicer to visit Paris when the skies are blue, but Paris remains Paris even when it rains. For me, the rain adds a romantic twist! It’s true! Whether you’re visiting museums, shopping, stopping at cafes, or dining out, you won’t get bored when it rains in Paris.
First, let’s put them on a map :
Quai Branly Museum
The idea that immediately comes to mind after seeing the first raindrops is to go see a temporary exhibit or the permanent collections in a museum.
However, the Louvre is swarmed, and as for the Grand Palais and the Musee d’Orsay, the lines to get in are getting longer and longer under the rain (unless you already have an express entry ticket).
So avoid the crowds and head to museums that you don’t think of as much, but are worth the visit. I recommend, in this category, the Quai Branly Museum by the Eiffel Tower.
This modern museum is dedicated to art from Africa and Oceania.
It never ceases to spark the interest of the French as well as foreigners with its exhibits/events like Songlines or Senghor and the arts.
Picasso Museum
The Picasso Museum is another museum that you must visit. The Picasso Museum, which is a prestigious historical monument, has an impressive collection dedicated to the artist himself with 297 paintings, 268 sculptures and many records.
The museum is open from Thursday to Friday and is free on the 1st Sunday of each month.
Tropical Aquarium of Porte Dorée
Did the Quai Branly Museum give you a taste for the exotic?
If so, you can continue your day with a visit to the tropical aquarium of Porte Dorée.
It is open from Tuesday to Sunday, and you can get there by Metro (line 8, Portée Dorée station), by bus (line 46), and by tram (line T3a).
Built in 1931, this aquarium puts on display and heightens awareness of flora and fauna from tropical waters.
There are 550 species waiting for you, and among them, crocodiles.
Who said that rainy days in Paris are boring?
Covered passages
The covered passages are just another part of Paris’ characteristic architecture.
Built in the 19th century, these galleries are, still today, a stylish place to wait for a shower to end.
If you like art, artisanal creations, small shops, and antiques, you’ll definitely find a souvenir to bring back from your stay in Paris.
The oldest is the Passage des Panoramas at 11 Boulevard Montmartre (Metro stop Bourse on line 3 or Grands Boulevards on lines 8 and 9).
➡️ On this topic: The Top 7 of the Most Beautiful Parisian Covered Passages
Tea Rooms
To warm up, you can of course enjoy a coffee in a Parisian bistro (see my suggestions by clicking the link).
However, if you want to immerse yourself in the decor of true tea room institutions, I highly recommend visiting the Ladurée Salon:
My 4 favorite Ladurée tea rooms:
- 16-18 Rue Royale, 75008 Paris
- 75 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris
- Carrousel du Louvre, 99 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
- 4 Pl. Victor Hugo, 75016 Paris
Indulge in exquisite pastries and the house specialty, the macaron, which pair wonderfully with tea.
More of a chocolate lover?
Skip the long lines at Angelina and head to Carette instead.
Address: 25 Pl. des Vosges, 75003 Paris
Carette is an elegant and classic tea room located on the beautiful Place des Vosges. Their hot chocolate is rich and thick, served in a stunning setting that blends the charm of old Paris with a modern twist. The pastries here are also plentiful and more than tempting.
Greenhouses of Jardin des Plantes
In the 5th arrondissement, you can also immerse yourself in a warm atmosphere while strolling through the greenhouses at Jardin des Plantes.
Travel step by step alongside plants that only grow in New Caledonia (and in these exceptional greenhouses) and go back in time to understand our flora’s evolution.
Visit Churches
Update April 15, 2024: Due to ongoing reconstruction, the Notre-Dame Cathedral remains closed to the public. The reopening has been announced for December 2024. Meanwhile, you can still walk up to -and around- it in order to enjoy its resplendent architecture which still qualifies it as one of Paris’ iconic monuments.
Churches are architectural marvels, both on the inside and outside.
The rain is a good occasion to revisit these structures and, in the stillness, check out their windows and architecture. Come and discover our selection of the most beautiful churches in Paris.
Once you’ve visited the Notre Dame Cathedral, there is an underground activity right by you.
In fact, you can head to the Crypt of Parvis Notre-Dame to learn more about the neighborhood’s architecture thanks to results from excavations that were completed before the cathedral’s renovation in the 1980s.
Aquarium de Paris at the Trocadéro
When the rain is pouring outside, is there anything better than going to an aquarium to dive into the world of fishes and other sea creatures?
Jellyfish, sharks, corals… the Aquarium of Paris offers to show you what lives in the ocean.
Don’t let the rain stop you, and, who knows, maybe you’ll be able to witness the fish being fed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Palais de la Découverte’s Planetarium
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Gray skies aren’t the end of the world if you go to the Palais de la Découverte’s Planetarium.
Above your heads stands a dome 15 meters in diameter that immerses you in a starry sky.
Adults and children alike will be delighted by this activity that makes us dream beyond ourselves and allows us to better understand the solar system.
Tickets for the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie (Planetarium is included)
Pantheon
While the weather is bad, you could discover this exceptional monument and its crypt where the most influential people of France are buried, such as Victor Hugo, Simone Veil, or Marie Curie.
The Pantheon also has beautiful marouflaged canvas and for the most curious ones, the Foucault Pendulum, which proves the Earth rotation, is also there.
Shopping
Obviously, when it is raining, shopping is a popular choice. Paris, the fashion capital, has many shopping centers which will please the shopaholics.
The Parisian department stores being a must during your visit, I can also recommend going to Le Bon Marché.
Missed by many tourists, Le Bon Marché is one of the oldest stores of its kind. It is mostly visited by locals and the atmosphere is a little different.
There you’ll find up-and-coming creators and exclusive cosmetic brands.
Taking the bridge from there, you’ll reach La Grande Epicerie, another building dedicated to gastronomy.
This specialty store brings together the best of what France has to offer and more.
You can even dine in and try some shellfish or cheese.
Escape Game
When it’s raining outside, the temptation can be strong to lock yourself up in a warm and comfy room.
Escape games could very much take your word value.
Literally locked up in a room, you are now playing as a secret agent, a prisoner, an airline staff member or anything else.
Your goal? Escaping before your time is up. Bring with you friends and family to help solve this puzzle.
Check them out here.
On the same topic: The 8 Best Escape Games in Paris (All Levels – From 2 to 5 Players)
Sit Down in a Café-Théâtre
“Café-théâtre” is a quintessentially French concept. Originating in Paris in 1966, these venues combine live entertainment with dining, offering a full meal and/or drinks at a much lower cost than traditional cabarets, and without fixed showtimes.
From open to close, a diverse lineup of artists, magicians, singers, and comedians grace the stage.
No matter what your preference is, going from the very classy Café Oscar (Facebook page in French), specialized in comedy, to the Double Fond, also known as the “café of magic”, there will always be a “café-théatre” for you to enjoy.
Don’t miss out on the renowned Chez Ma Cousine (website in French), in Montmartre, which celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2018.
Neko Café
While humans don’t like rain, they aren’t the only ones.
Coming straight from Japan, neko cafés (from the Japanese “neko” that means “cat”) will have you enjoy a snack surrounded by friendly felines.
The concept is getting more and more popular in Europe and Paris couldn’t escape from it.
Come eat a tasty hamburger with a cat sleeping on your legs at Café des Chats (website in French).
Enjoy a Cinema Classic
One of the major activities to come to mind when it’s raining outside is probably the cinema.
Why not go watch a French or international cinema classic at the Filmothèque du Quartier Latin?
If you are more interested in the atmosphere than in the movie, Paris also has some of the most gorgeous screening rooms you have ever seen.
Le Louxor (website in French) and its Youssef Chahine room inspired from Ancient Egypt, the more retro Studio 28 (website in French) or the very notorious Grand Rex with its projection room which seems to be out of the Opéra Garnier will amaze you.
Ice Skating
When winter comes, ice rinks seem to flourish like flowers, in Paris.
From December to January, it is impossible for you to miss the Patinoire du Grand Palais (website in French), the biggest temporary skating rink with its 3000m² of ice and stunning ceilings in the world.
For the rest of the year, you can head to the Patinoire Pailleron (website in French) in the 16th arrondissement.
Take Part in a Workshop
What if the bad weather was the occasion for you to learn something new?
Cooking or baking classes, knitting workshops or creation of bio cosmetics, Paris will never run out of things to teach you.
If there’s one thing France is well-known for, it’s its wines; why not try out wine tasting (website in French)? And if beer is more your thing, Ma Bière (website in French) will have you create and taste your own draft beer in a fun and friendly atmosphere.
L’Ecole de cuisine Ducasse (website in French) offers cooking workshops every day, for adults and parents/kids.
Musée des Arts Forains
Paris and its thousands of museums.
We all know about the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay and, now, even about the Musée du Quai Branly.
But have you discovered the lesser-known Musée des Arts Forains (Fairground Arts Museum)?
Located inside the Pavillons de Bercy, the museum exhibits circus and funfair attractions dating from the 19th to the 20th century.
Unlike normal museums, the collection isn’t locked up behind windows and you are more than welcome to touch and even try out some of the oldest attractions.
Skydiving Simulator
If the weather isn’t good enough for a real parachute jump from a plane, why not try out the experience… on the ground!
Besides being a lot more affordable, economically speaking, skydiving simulators are open even for kids older than five.
All that is left for you to do is jump!
Virtual Flight Over Paris
Skydiving is too much for you?
No worries!
FlyView Paris offers a more peaceful experience that will have you fly over Paris without even standing up from your chair.
Well-secured in a jet pack replica and virtual reality glasses on your eyes, extend your wings and take a brand new look on the French capital city.
But if the real problem isn’t the weather but it’s because it’s Sunday and many places are closed, check our article on what to do in Paris on Sunday.
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
