Having a rainy day in Paris is nothing unusual. Given that it rains about 170 days a year in Paris, it is always good for tourists in the city to have a backup plan in case of a wet day. It can either be a quick shower during the summer months or long and steady rain during the winter. Whatever it is, it’s always great to be prepared. It is important for travellers to know what are some of the best things you can do when it is raining. This will ensure that you are well prepared and will not be at a loss on what to do. Some of the famous indoor attractions are bound to be crowded during the rainy weather. Nonetheless, there is a varied list of things that one can engage in and enjoy during the wet day. Read on below to find out some of the best things one can do when Paris is experiencing a rainy day.
1. Visit the Louvre Museum (from USD 18.43)
When it is raining in Paris, what better place to visit than one of the world’s best art museums. Get a ticket for the Louvre Museum and explore it at your own pace. With the priority ticket, you get to skip the line and walk straight in, beating the crowds. Inside the museum, located on the right bank of the Seine, the Mona Lisa and the statue of Venus de Milo can be found. Also get to unravel the great masterpieces of the Renaissance era and the ancient Egyptian relics, coupled with paintings dating from the 13th to the 20th centuries. Over the years, the museum has increased its collection of paintings deriving from various time periods. Within this museum, you do not have to worry about the wet weather. Spend as much time as you wish inside the museum and explore the entire venue at your own pace.
Paris: Louvre Museum Timed-Entrance Ticket
2. Le Manoir de Paris (from USD 47.0)
Le Manoir de Paris is a walk-through haunted house that once used to be a ceramic workshop belonging to Choisy-le-Roi. This haunted house offers five levels of fearfulness for visitors. When it first opened, there were 13 Parisian legends that lasted between the 18th to the 20th centuries. Four more legends have been added since and more are expected to be added. Over two floors, visitors can visit 23 rooms. Being Paris’ first haunted show, this place allows its visitors to step into darkness for an interactive walk-through. Get the unique opportunity to immerse in a theatrical experience, whilst discovering the history of Paris.
Skip the Line: Le Manoir de Paris - Fastpass Ticket
Duration: 35 to 60 minutes
3. Relax in a Turkish bath
Want to relieve some urban stress? What better way to do so than soaking yourself in a Turkish bath? One of the most famous Turkish baths in Paris is the Grande Mosquée de Paris. Here, the bath is open for men and women on different days of the week. A great way to also burn some calories, one can spend hours here depending on the services availed. There is also a massage section where one can enjoy comfortable, relaxing massages. One will enjoy the Turkish bath environment as a social place of gathering. Women can gather with their friends at the bath and have a good chat session whilst getting the bath done.
Grande Mosquée de Paris
Address: 2bis Place du Puits de l'Ermite, 75005 Paris, France
Website: Grande Mosquée de Paris
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4. Explore forgotten covered passages
The most ideal places to visit during a rainy day in Paris, these covered passages were built in the 19th century. These arcades were typically covered with glass roofs and bear a typically Parisian architectural feature. Many of these covered passages house a variety of shops, tearooms and restaurants. One of the oldest covered passage is the Passage des Panoramas which dates back to 1799. It is best known for housing the Théâtre des Variétés. Other covered passages include Galerie Vivienne, Entrée du Passage Choiseul, Passage du Grand Cerf and Passage du Caire. Each one has its own distinctive features and character. For instance, Passage Brady, which is also known as Little India is home to several Indian, Pakistan, Mauritian and Reunion shops. Passage Verdeau houses antique dealers while Galerie Vivienne carries many high scale shops and is one of the most iconic passageways.
Galerie Vivienne
Address: 4 rue des Petits-Champs 75002 Paris
Website: Galerie Vivienne
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 8.30 am to 8.30 pm
5. Indulge at Un Dimanche à Paris
When all else is done and dusted, a great place to hang out at is Un Dimanche à Paris. This cafe can probably be regarded as the Parisian temple of chocolate. This store adopts a lively concept wherein it combines a boutique, a chocolate bar, a lounge, a restaurant and a tearoom all in one. Cooking classes for those interested are also provided. The cafe is ideally located in the centre of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, a popular tourist district as well. So, if it is raining hard in Paris, why not take shelter in this lovely, charming cafe.
Un Dimanche à Paris
Address: 4-6-8 Cour du Commerce Saint-André 75006 Paris
Website: Un Dimanche à Paris
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 12.00 pm to 10.00 pm
Average price for two: 24-46 USD
6. Visit a couple of greenhouses
Perhaps the most famous greenhouse in Paris is the Jardin des Plantes. After a renovation period of five years, the gardens reopened their doors in 2010 and is delightful to botanists as well as the curious passersby. The architecture of this greenhouse is simply fantastic, built with a combination of metal and glass. Yet another more intimate greenhouse worth visiting on a rainy day is the Bois de Boulogne. Here, there is a collection of over 6000 plant species. There are more to cover than these, all of which are definitely worth checking out.
Jardin des Plantes
Address: 47, rue Cuvier – 75005
Website: Jardin des Plantes
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 7.30 am to 5.30 pm
Price: Free entry
7. Watch a film in an old theatre in Paris
If you are an avid moviegoer, you will know that Paris has been featured prominently and repeatedly on the big screens. In Paris itself, the first public film screening was held in 1895, sparking a citywide spread of the love for movies. While several multiplexes have sprung up in the recent past, there are some old cinemas which remain nostalgic for the movie-goer. Cinéma du Panthéon, located in the heart of the Latin Quarter, was opened in 1907. This theatre is known to be the oldest functioning movie theatre in Paris. A special highlight here would be the “salon,” which was meticulously designed by Catherine Deneuve, an on-screen legend.
Cinéma du Panthéon
Address: 13 Rue Victor Cousin, 75005 Paris, France
Website: Cinéma du Panthéon
Opening hours: Varies
Price: 9.7 USD
8. Shopping at Carrousel du Louvre
The Carrousel du Louvre is an upscale shopping centre which is famous among locals and tourists alike. As it is a covered mall, it makes for a perfect rainy day activity. This shopping centre is open all days of the week and features dozens of shops which will be of interest to people of all ages. There is also a food court with gourmet restaurants, all set within an elegant setting. It is also worth admiring the architecture of the shopping centre. The bottom section of the shopping centre is made of the famous glass Pyramide du Louvre. This is one beautiful experience you will not want to miss out on.
Carrousel du Louvre
Address: 99, rue de Rivoli
Website: Carrousel du Louvre
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 10.00 am to 8.00 pm, Tuesday 11.00 am to 7.00 pm
9. Visit the Catacombs (from USD 33.91)
The Catacombs of Paris are very famous underground ossuaries situated in Paris. The catacombs still house the remains of more than six million people in the underground tunnels. Most of the remains were laid within burial chambers and these are where the tours are held. Join a tour and explore the darker side of Paris as you are brought through tunnels which have been dug out during the Middle Ages. In order for you to fully discover the site, audio guides are available in various languages like French, English, German and Spanish.
Paris: Catacombs Skip-the-Ticket-Line Ticket and Audio Guide
Duration: 1.0 hour
10. Take a tour of the Opera Garnier (from USD 16.27)
The Opera Garnier is one of the fanciest representation of the Second Empire architecture present in France. The building features an eclectic and luxurious Baroque design. Considered to be one of the largest opera houses in Europe, this building has remarkable pieces of sculptures. One such sculpture is the writhing snakes on the bronze “Pythonisse” sculpture. Take some time to admire the breathtaking décor as you stroll through the vast walkways. Join this tour to skip the line and enjoy priority entrance into the venue. Upon payment, you will receive a digital ticket which will allow you entry into the venue.
Paris: Opera Garnier Entry Ticket
Enjoy on a rainy day
So what if rain dampers your itinerary while in Paris. There are many alternatives that you can look into doing which would be as entertaining. So, check out the above to have a back-up plan when it rains in Paris.
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