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What to Do in Paris When it Rains

Rainy morning in the marais everyday parisian

What to do in Paris When it Rains


If you are headed to Paris in any Season, expect to find rain in the forecast. You will want some ideas for rainy days in Paris before you arrive in the city.  This post is designed to help you with what to do in Paris when it rains. If all else fails, you can bookmark this post and make notes at a Parisian café enjoying a coffee and croissant. 

It is essential always to carry an umbrella even when there is no rain in the forecast. A trench coat is versatile in Parisian weather and is highly recommended for your Paris packing list.

Trench coat by JCrew

mother and daughter walking in Paris in the rain

When it comes to what shoes to wear when it is raining. I LOVE my Blondos. If you haven’t heard about these shoes, they are the best. They are super comfortable and stylish, and they are waterproof. I have owned mine for years, and they have been through many rainstorms in Paris.

what to wear in Paris when it rains

The Parisians still look stylish even in the rain. Make sure you pack the essentials if rain is in the forecast.

what to do in Paris when it rains everyday parisian

Rainy Day Activity: Walk the Paris Passages

The covered passages of Paris make for my favorite rainy-day activity. This is one of my favorite memories from living in Montmartre. You can easily walk from the 9th at the end of Rue des Martyrs through Galerie Vivienne by only taking a few steps outside. The covered passages in Paris are filled with shops and restaurants to help pass the time on a rainy day.

Start at Passage Verdeau and walk towards the Seine River. You will then go through Passage Jouffroy and then Passage des Panoramas. This is a great place to stop for a wine or lunch. Book a reservation at Racines Paris for a lovely meal with a mix of French and Italian. We had a great dinner here in May. The inside is adorable, but the exterior provides excellent people-watching.

Galerie Vivienne Paris passages

Gallerie Vivienne is one of my all-time favorite passages and leads you straight to Palais Royal. Enjoy a glass of wine at Bistro Vivienne or have lunch or dinner at Daroco, which is available to book online. I can never decide between pasta or pizza, and it’s best to bring a friend to split them both.

Paris passages what to do when it rains in Paris

Chez Georges is also nearby and a classic French bistro that will transport you for a rainy afternoon.

This should take up an afternoon or evening of rainy weather in Paris.

Galerie Vivenne Paris bookshop what to do in Paris when it rains

What to do in Paris When it Rains: Afternoon Tea

afternoon tea in Paris what to do in Paris when it rains

Afternoon Tea is a real treat in Paris. A rainy day is a perfect time to spend an afternoon over tea in a beautiful hotel or one of the tea rooms in Paris. My favorite hotels with Afternoon Tea include The Bristol, George V Four Seasons, and Le Meurice. The tea will come with sweets, scones, and finger sandwiches.  The Bristol is lovely for high tea, and I took a box back to my hotel with sweets I couldn’t finish on my last visit. Arrive hungry for an afternoon tea.

what to do in paris when it rains everyday parisian

What to do in Paris When it Rains: See A Movie.

Try one of the historical theaters in Paris, such as the Cinema de Pantheon. There are theaters close to the Odeon metro stop. Some of the movies offer English subtitles. It is the perfect excuse to enjoy the guilty pleasure of watching a film in the middle of the day. I saw Midnight in Paris in Nice at a theater, which is still one of my favorite solo travel memories.

what to do in paris when it rains
what to do in paris when it rains

Wait out the Rain on a Covered Terrace

The good thing about the Paris weather is that it eventually passes. Grab a glass of wine or tea/coffee and wait out the rain. You can still people-watch for a bit while the storm clears. Crack open a good book and enjoy it from a covered terrace. Don’t let a little rain ruin a trip to Paris.

what to do in paris when it rains

Visit a Museum on A Rainy Day in Paris

A rainy afternoon is the perfect time to visit the Paris museums. You can visit the Louvre Museum and see the Mona Lisa or try the Musée d’Orsay, filled with French impressionist paintings. If you have tried one of these, try something off the beaten path. One of my favorite museums is Musée Nissim de Camondo, which is close to Parc Monceau.

Purchase tickets for the Palais Garnier, which is stunning and worth visiting. A guided tour is also available for an additional fee. The Palais Garnier is very close to many shops if you want to do souvenir shopping or clothes shopping afterward.

Museums to visit in Paris

For 5 Museums that aren’t the Louvre, read this post.

Try Hot Chocolate in Paris

In the winter months, visit Angelina for their famous hot chocolate. It is decadent but a must-do at least once in Paris. They also have a cart outside on some days if the line is long to get inside, you can do takeaway and stroll around the arcades under Rue de Rivoli to wait out the bad weather.

angelina hot chocolate what to do in Paris when it rains

 

Shop for Souvenirs in Paris

Paris is not complete without a bit of shopping. Use the weather as an excellent excuse to pick up souvenirs from your trip to Paris. Check out this post with some souvenir ideas for Paris if you need help.

Galleries Lafayette stained glass ceiling in Paris

Galeries Lafayette is great for gifts and souvenirs. There is a top floor dedicated to gift items with various price-point options. You can spend an entire afternoon here between the restaurants and shopping. If you find yourself with a rainy day in the forecast while you are in Paris, take a little time to visit Les Grands Magasins (The famous department stores). Printemps and Galeries Lafayette are right next to each other. If the rain clears, head to the roof for a beautiful view of the city and the Eiffel Tower view.

Shop Eiffel Tower Rooftop View Photo Here

Le Bon Marche also offers excellent shopping on the Left Bank of Paris close to Luxembourg Gardens. A backup plan is always good if you are out and about and the weather turns.

Embrace A Rainy Day in Paris

I don’t get here often enough, that’s the problem. Can you picture how drop dead gorgeous this city is in the rain? Imagine this town in the ’20s. Paris in the ’20s, in the rain. Midnight in Paris

rainy morning in Paris, France rebecca plotnick

Some of my best-selling photographs in The Print Shop are from moments in the rain. I know I will get wet, but exploring Paris in the rain is part of the fun. Grab an umbrella and go for a walk. The streets will glisten as the sun hits the cobblestones.

Wine Tasting in Paris

Enjoy a wine tasting at one of the many wine bars located in Paris. Some offer a covered outdoor terrace, a great way to escape the weather. My favorites include Septime La Cave, ô Chateau, Chez Georges, and Willi’s Wine Bar. You can do a quick Google search on your phone if you need a good option. There is no better way to learn about French wines than a guided wine tasting.

Take a Cooking Class at La Cuisine Paris

la cuisine paris

I love La Cuisine Paris for cooking lessons. The location is just off the Seine, and you will have a great view of the city and Notre Dame Cathedral from the classroom. Try a croissant class or make macarons. You will be bound to make friends with your classmates even if you are solo. It is such a fun experience, and the teachers keep you engaged and laughing throughout the whole experience. 

la cuisine paris croissant class

​Enjoy a cocktail at a Parisian Hotel Bar.

This is a fun way to experience a five-star hotel if it isn’t in your budget for a night stay. A cocktail will run around 30 euros at a luxury hotel. You can sit in the bar and soak up the atmosphere and people-watch. My favorites include Le Meurice, Le Crillon, and George V.

Spend an Afternoon at a Parisian Café

what to do in paris when it rains

Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots are the famous cafés on the Left Bank on Saint Germain des Prés. These are excellent people-watching spots for wine or hot chocolate on a rainy day in Paris. 

Do you have a favorite rainy-day activity? Comment below and share!

xo

what to do in Paris when it rains everyday parisian

This post does include affiliate links that help contribute to my coffee and croissant research. Merci!

Photos of me by Katie Donnelly Photography

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    • Cathy,

      That is a great idea! Do you mind if I add it to the list? I always forget about bus 69. I usually take the metro.

      Thank you!
      Rebecca

  1. I agree about photographing in rainy weather – it adds another texture, reflections and mood.

    Walking les passages is on my list for the next trip. As a lover of film cameras, I recall there used to be a vintage camera/photo shop in one of the passages, but I can’t remember which one. Do you happen to know?

    • Hi Earl,

      Yes! I am so happy you agree about the rain.

      I do remember the little shop in the passages but I can’t remember which one. I am going back in November, if I see it or find out from someone, I am happy to let you know. I wish the film wasn’t so expensive to develop. I stopped using it years ago and relearned on digital.

      Rebecca

  2. We did the covered passages too. Also had lunch at La Jacobine in Cours Saint Andre. Can also do the bateau mouche! Once actually did the Hop On Hop Off and my daughters got soaked as they still wanted to stay on top and take photos – got some lovely shots in fact! Many times waited it out at a cafe.

    • Yes, we highly recommend La Jacobine (make reservations, though, for dinner). Have been for dinner our past two trips to Paris, and it’s always excellent.

    • Hi Natalie,

      I am so happy you enjoyed the covered passages in Paris. They are one of my favorite walks. Bateau Mouche is a great idea! Thank you. I hope you make your way back to Paris soon.

      xo

  3. Hi Rebecca,
    My daughter and I enjoyed the Musee Grevin Wax Museum in Montmartre, as well as the BHV Marais department store on a rainy day.
    Suzanne