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03/25/20
This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I’ll earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. Read my full disclosure here.
Paris in the Rain
When you Google for things to do in Paris France, you’ll see images with bright colors and blue skies. Sailing on the Seine River, walking tours of Montmartre, a treasure hunt in Luxembourg Gardens or Paris by bike. But what to do in Paris when it rains?
Nobody books a trip to Paris in the rain but unfortunately, a rainy day in Paris may happen. Actually, you can have many days of nonstop, heavy rain in Paris, especially during winter in Paris.
If you are planning a trip to Paris, especially during fall in Paris or winter in Paris, we recommend having a plan B, a list of indoor activities in Paris for those rainy days in Paris. Here’s our ultimate list of fun things to do in Paris when it rains.
- Explore Paris Underground
- Walk (& shop) in the Covered Passages of Paris
- Wine Tasting in Paris – Learn about French Wine
- Discover the World of Perfumes, and Create your Own Fragrance!
- Enjoy a Memorable Night in a Parisian Cabaret
- Learn “How to Become a Parisian” with this Hilarious One-Man Show
- Swim some laps in the “Art Déco” pools of Paris
- Experience Immersive Art at Atélier des Lumières
- Enjoy the Rain, Get Wet!
Click on the picture and Get the look! What to wear in Paris when it rains
This might come in handy:
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WHAT TO DO IN PARIS ON A RAINY DAY
Explore Paris Underground
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 are 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
Walk (& shop) in the Covered Passages of Paris
A rainy day in Paris may be the perfect excuse to visit some of the most beautiful covered walkways of Paris.
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.
READ MORE – The most beautiful Covered Passages in Paris
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Wine Tasting in Paris – Learn about French Wine
There is no better place in the world to drink French wine than in France. Learn about the Wine Regions in France through a wine tasting and an informative master wine class. 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. Some wine tastings in Paris also come with a plate of cheese.
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.
TOP 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!
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, if it keeps on raining forever and ever, 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, 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
photo courtesy: Le Paradis Latin ©
Cabarets in Paris are a fun and entertaining part of Paris Nightlife, whatever the weather. 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 Cabaret Show, 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 New!
- Moulin Rouge Dinner and Show “Féerie”
Learn “How to Become a Parisian” with this Hilarious One-Man Show
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 a fun and entertaining night in Paris indoors, this comedy-show won’t disappoint. Book well in advance.
Click here to buy your ticket to this fun comedy-show
Swim some laps in the “Art Déco” pools of Paris
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 an awesome Art Déco architecture. 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.
Piscine Pontoise. Photo courtesy of @guide-piscine
Experience Immersive Art at Atélier des Lumières
Looking for unusual things to do in Paris in the rain?
A rainy day in Paris can be the perfect excuse for a unique and mind-blowing experience at Atélier des Lumières. L’Atélier des Lumières, in the 11th Arrondissement, is 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 which involve different media, like sound, images or scents.
READ MORE – Immersive Art at Atélier des Lumières in Paris
Enjoy 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 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 cafe.
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, you are going to enjoy Paris in rain.
We are sure you will have a good time in Paris, regardless of the rain. Now you have this nice list of fun things to do in Paris on a rainy day, which one are you excited to try in Paris when it rains?
Click here to read more about our Paris Bucket List
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Megan Jerrard
02/08/2018 at 1:02 amSitting in the middle of Australian summer right now, on a rural property, we could do with the rain! Lol so send some our way 😀 I usually enjoy museums on a rainy day when I’m traveling, and Paris does have some great ones! Though I do love the idea of a steamy Hammam at Mosquée de Paris. Or enjoying a good glass of wine in a restored wine warehouse. Thanks for these ideas – proves that you don’t have to have great weather to have a fabulous time!
WorldInParis
02/15/2018 at 3:53 pmCould not say it better than you: so many cool things to do when the weather is not that nice 😉
Suruchi
02/06/2018 at 1:01 pmParis is high on our list and we want to explore it in offseason. So, guess winters is going to be the apt time for us. I am sure rain in winters will be adding some more charm and now we have a huge list of things to do too. Awesome!! Gonna bookmark it.
WorldInParis
02/15/2018 at 3:54 pmWell, rain is not that charming for Parisians. But yes, you have there some cool things to keep you busy during rainy days 😉
Nick Wheatley
02/05/2018 at 10:26 pmWhat a handy list! We were actually in Paris this past December and sure enough it was raining!
We still managed to have a great time and even did a few of the things on this list – wandered through the Louvre, toured the Paris sewer museum, and admired the Water Lillies at l’Orangerie. We weren’t able to make it to Angelina’s for hot chocolate though. Is it really as good as everyone says?!
We used several posts from your site to help plan our last trip to Paris (thanks!), but somehow I missed this article. I’ll make sure I remember it for next time in case the weather chooses not to cooperate!
WorldInParis
02/17/2018 at 8:18 pmThanks for your kind words and happy to know my posts were helpful to plan your trip to Paris. Still many handy posts in the pipeline, there is a general lack of time! 😉
Hannah
02/05/2018 at 7:41 pmI love this list! I have done many of these things when being rained upon in Paris – people-watching in a café is one of my favourite pastimes, in the rain or otherwise. I love the suggestion of the free museums too. I never seem to mind the rain in Paris, perhaps my rose tinted glasses cover being wet and bedraggled in Paris too 😉
Bella WW
02/05/2018 at 4:38 pmIt seems that Paris is a good idea even in the rain. Love all the ideas and all the photos. You made me a craving for some macarons 😀
Danila Caputo
02/04/2018 at 6:24 pmI’m one of those who believe Paris can be very romantic also with the rain, but you’re right, you can’t go sightseeing when the weather is horrible! I think I’d definitely love the hot chocolate alternative at Angelina’s!
Debbzie Leksono
02/03/2018 at 7:26 pmBoth of my visits to Paris was during winter. So yeah, it was cold and gloomy and wet but it didn’t stop me from exploring this city *grin*. I can’t agree more with the idea of having the best hot chocolate in the world at Angelina’s. I’ve also done the Paris Catacombs tour which was amazing!. Next would be visiting the Vampires museum. Thanks for giving me such an ample ideas for plan B in Paris 😀
Niina
02/03/2018 at 3:55 pmThanks for reminding how badly I need to return to Paris! We missed our scheduled catacomb tour by 3 minutes and weren’t allowed to catch up the group. Luckily, it’s only one of the million reasons for me to return. The Vampires Museum also picked my interest 😉
WorldInParis
02/17/2018 at 8:20 pmOooh, so sad to read about your Paris Catacombs tour :-(((
Anu
02/03/2018 at 1:43 pmOn a rainy day, Museums are my best options. There is nothing to distract you as you spend time with the past. But I never thought of going to Hammam or a spa on a rainy day – that is also a perfect option. Opera also sounds like a good idea.
WorldInParis
02/17/2018 at 8:20 pmSo some more ideas to have in mind when visiting Paris 😉
Vasu
02/03/2018 at 12:34 pmSo many indoor things to do in Paris. I mean it could be a perfect rainy-days vacation and one would still not be bored 🙂 For me it is quite difficult to choose what I like most. I would probably start with the VR session because it did not exist when I went there last!