10 Fun Things to Do in Paris on a Rainy Day [2020-2021]

10/31/20

Rainy Days in Paris

When you are planning a trip to Paris, it is good to consider a couple of indoor activities for the rainy days in Paris. Nobody books a trip to Paris in the rain but unfortunately, a rainy day in Paris is not uncommon. Actually, you can have many rainy days in Paris, especially during Paris in the fall or winter in Paris.

Paris in the rain isn’t sexy but there are also fun things to do in Paris on a rainy day. So what to do in Paris when it rains? Here’s our ultimate list of fun things to do in Paris when it rains.

• Explore Paris Underground
• Visit the Covered Passages of Paris
• Perfect your Wine Tasting Skills
• Discover the World of Perfumes, and Create your Own Fragrance!
• Enjoy a Memorable Night in a Parisian Cabaret
• Learn “How to Become a Parisian”
• Swim a Few Laps in an “Art Déco” Atmosphere
• Experience Immersive Art at Atélier des Lumières
• Look for the Most Quirky, Indoor Activities in Paris
• Enjoy Paris in the Rain, Get Wet!

What to Wear on Rainy Days in Paris

Click here to get the look!

Fun Things to Do in Paris on a Rainy Day

Explore Paris Underground

Going underground is a good way to avoid Paris in the rain! Paris really is a tale of two cities. There is the City of Light, above ground, with must sights like the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre Museum. This is the city that the world sees and loves. But there is also an underground Paris with at least 130 kilometers of abandoned tunnels and secret places running below the streets.

The Paris Catacombs is the most popular attraction below the ground but there are other interesting underground sights like the Paris Sewer Museum or some parts of Canal Saint-Martin. You can read more about underground sites in Paris in our Paris Underground Guide.

TIP: This skip-the-line Paris Catacombs Tour with special access always have excellent reviews

Visit the Covered Passages of Paris

Shopping is one of the best things to do on rainy days in Paris, especially if you are surrounded by beautiful decor. If you are visiting Paris on a rainy day, forget the big shopping malls and head to the covered walkways of Paris for unique vintage shopping and a coffee break in a historic cafe.

By the end of the 18th century, town planners in Paris created a labyrinth of commercial covered walkways across the city with beautiful glass ceilings, mosaic works, and iron latticework, all bathed in natural light. The covered passages of Paris had a dominating merchant role, but they were also the new bourgeois’ favorite stroll, the place to show up and socialize.

Restored to its former glory, the covered walkways of Paris are today real Art Nouveau / Neoclassical architectural gems and if you know where to look you will find delightful ancient boutiques, cute cafes, and other curiosity shops.

Perfect your Wine Tasting Skills

There is no better place in the world to drink French wine than in France! Learn about the Wine Regions in France through an informative master wine class with wine tastings. An expert sommelier will lead you through a tasting of exceptional wines, coming from different corners of the country, and selected to ensure a full and unique tasting experience.

TIP: This French Wine Experience with wine tasting is a best seller in Paris!

If you prefer a more casual afternoon, go to a fancy wine bar and just start drinking French wine! Wine bars in Paris are usually run by wine passionates and they can tell you lots of things about their proposals before ordering your wine.

TIP:  If you know already that you will end up buying your favorite findings, make sure you pack your wine properly so it arrives safely home!

Discover the World of Perfumes, and Create your Own Fragrance

Rainy days in Paris can inspire you to do more creative things. Learn the basics of perfume making and create your new, personal fragrance with this fun perfume workshop. Play with the scents with the help of a knowledgeable maître parfumeur, in a small group to ensure a memorable experience.

Click here to book your Perfume Workshop in Paris

Later, you can complete your perfume experience with a (free) visit to the Fragonard Perfume Museum, located in Paris 9. During the 20 minutes guided tour in English or French, discover the history of perfume since the first civilizations and Fragonard’s “savoir-faire” as maîtres parfumeurs.

Enjoy a Memorable Night in a Parisian Cabaret

Cabarets in Paris are a fun and entertaining thing to do in Paris at night, especially if it rains outside. Cabaret shows usually include crazy can-can girls (our favorite part) but also singing, dancing, and juggling.

Most of the cabarets also come with the dinner option or a glass of champagne so you are covered for the full night! From Moulin Rouge or Lido to Paradis Latin, find your favorite Cabaret in Paris in this Parisian Cabarets Quick Guide.

BOOK NOW: 

• Le Lido “Paris Merveilles” Show & Dinner
• Paradis Latin Show “Oiseau Paradis” + dinner
• Moulin Rouge Dinner and Show “Féerie”

Learn “How to Become a Parisian” with this Hilarious One-Man Show

If you are looking for Paris indoor activities, a night at the theater is always a good option. Learn how to think and act like a Parisian at this hilarious 1-hour show (in English) “How to Become a Parisian” at Thêatre des Nouveautés in Paris 9. Laugh along with others from across the globe as you explore cultural differences, the Parisian way of life, and more.

If you are looking for fun and entertaining things to do in Paris when it rains, this comedy-show won’t disappoint.

Click here to buy your ticket to this fun comedy-show

Swim a Few Laps in an Art Déco Atmosphere

The good thing about pools is that you can even swim while it’s raining. Plus swimming is a very healthy exercise, especially if you are eating your weight with macarons!

In some districts of Paris, you can find extraordinary indoor pools with Art Déco architecture, perfect for a few laps in a unique atmosphere. Our favorite Art Déco pools in Paris are Piscine Molitor’s Winter Basin (1929) which is part of Hotel Molitor in Paris 16, Piscine Pontoise (1933) in Paris 5, and Piscine Pailleron (1933) in Paris 19.

Experience Immersive Art at Atélier des Lumières

Rainy days in Paris can be the perfect excuse for trying something new or unusual. Enjoy a unique and mind-blowing experience at Atélier des Lumières, the first center of Digital Art in Paris, proposing unique immersive art exhibitions for all.

In Immersive Art exhibitions, the spectator becomes part of the artwork, walking literally inside an artwork or interacting with it. Usually, Immersive Art experiences are mind-blowing experiences that involve different media, like sound, images, or scents.

Look for the Most Quirky, Indoor Activities in Paris

Sure, rainy days in Paris are perfect to muse on masterpieces but you don’t need to read this piece to learn this, right? There are also many quirky things to do in Paris when it rains and they are a good and fun way to spend the most ugly, rainy days in Paris. Here’s the list of our favorites:

• Get ready for summer rock climbing at Blockbuster CNIT, La Défense
• Saturdays of Virtual Reality at Forum des Images
• A platter of oysters + wine is always a good idea (well, only from September to March!)
• A quirky day among the beasts at Galerie de l’Evolution
• Attend a free reading session at Shakespeare & Company
• Wrestling in Paris, anyone? Tequilas and Open ring (with a funny Sumo foam suit) at La Lucha Libre Ring Bar.

Enjoy Paris in the Rain, Get Wet!

Paris is always a good idea and you can still have a good time in Paris, regardless of the rain. Take your raincoat and boots and enjoy Paris in the rain, get wet!

A walk along the Seine banks on a fresh day can bring the color to your cheeks and you can always reward yourself later with a coffee or hot chocolate in a Parisian café.

Also, rain comes with many interesting and creative photo opportunities like puddle reflections or tiny reflections within the droplets. If you are a photography lover, this is another fun thing to do in Paris on a rainy day.

And there you have it, the list of fun things to do in Paris on a rainy day, which one are you excited to try in Paris in the rain?

Click here for more about our Paris Bucket List

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Some interesting articles in the blog

• Read our Best Tips for Visiting Paris for the First Time here
• Find things to eat in Paris here

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