What to Do on a Rainy Day in Paris

Sometimes, our vacations don’t go as planned. Sometimes you’re in Paris wanting to do fun things, and it starts raining. But don’t worry, you can still enjoy your vacation, and here are some ideas.

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Paris might be one of the most cliches cities for a dream vacation, but it is a great tourist destination, and people love it for a reason. Paris is beautiful and full of history, so iconic in every little detail, so full of beautiful architecture, quiet cafes, world-renowned museums, and luxurious shops. So you get there, and you dream of getting lost in their neighborhoods that intertwine like the section of a snail shell. You get to your hotel, unpack your suitcase, and then it starts raining. All your plans are ruined!

Or maybe not. Maybe you just need to adjust your plans and explore a different face of the city, a more introspective and melancholic one, but still undisputably Parisian and magical.

 

 

 

What to do in a Rainy Day in Paris

Explore Parisian Museums and Art Galleries

The famous Louvre

This is one of the most recognizable museums in existence and is, in fact, the largest and most visited in the whole world. With its iconic glass pyramid, the grand halls, and the unforgettable Gioconda, the Louvre has appeared in many movies and series over the years. The amount of art that the Louvre houses is so big that it is quite overwhelming. Probably with an afternoon, you just have time to see the most significant.

Must-see masterpieces at the Louvre:

• Mona Lisa: Undoubtedly the most famous painting in the world and Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece.

• The Winged Victory of Samothrace: A beautiful depiction of the Greek goddess Nike, even without arms and head you can feel a sense of freedom and power.

• Venus de Milo: Another iconic Greek statue, this time of the goddess of beauty, Aphrodite.

• Liberty Leading the People: One of the most influential French paintings, it depicts a representation of France as a powerful symbol of revolution and progress.

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Musée d’Orangerie

Less known than the Louvre, but not less enchanting. The Musee d’Orangerie is called after the orange trees it used to house before becoming a place for the arts. If you love watching paintings and sculptures but don’t particularly like crowds, this place is perfect for you. It is mainly focused on French arts, specifically from the early 20th century.

Take some time to quietly walk among the works of artists like Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Henri Matisse, and Claude Monet. One of Monet’s most famous pieces is actually in this museum. A part of his waterlilies collection and also a great example of the impressionist movement. You can almost feel the calm and peace he felt in that particular garden while seeing the paintings.

 

Indulge in Culinary Delights

Taste the traditional French Brunch

There’s no better way to start your day in Paris than enjoying a full French brunch. On a grey, cold day, you can find refuge in a cozy spot, protected from the rain, and win,d with a warm cup in your hands. French people often prefer quality over quantity, and their brunches are a testament to this ideology. Sit down and enjoy the perfect mix of sweet and savory dishes with French cheeses, quiches, French yogurt, and, of course, the croissant.

Places like Cafe de Flore or Le Pain Quotidian are excellent for that purpose. Both have a long history and are favorites for locals and tourists alike. Maybe bring that book you’ve been meaning to finish and enjoy the calming sound of the rain against the windows and the quiet chatter of other visitors.

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Participate in a cooking class

If you’re interested in French cuisine and are reasonably skilled with knives and pots, you will certainly learn a lot with a cooking class. Depending on how much time you have, you can participate in a quick course or a day-long workshop. Take the opportunity to make French pastries to impress friends and family back home or classic French cuisine for a date night with your significant other.

Best places to get cooking classes in Paris:

• Le Cordon Blue: The most famous culinary school in the world, and you can sign up for classes there! Finding better-prepared teachers is hard, and you can learn a wide range of skills, including wine and food pairing.

• Le foodist Paris: You can choose group classes with a more relaxed atmosphere if you want to meet new people and have some fun while you learn. If you are more focused on learning complex techniques and prefer a more serious approach, take private classes.

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Unique Experiences and Cultural Sites

Tour the Paris Catacombs

Maybe skip this one if you are scared easily or have claustrophobia. The underside of Paris hides an immense network of tunnels and an ossuary with over 6 million Parisians’ remains. Meet the Paris catacombs, in this place, you’ll see a very different side of the city, opposite to the upside, with the Tour Eiffel and the cozy cafes where well-dressed people have lunch.

After the ominous message in the entrance, “Stop! This is the empire of the dead,” you’ll find long and disorienting tunnels that end in weirdly decorated crypts. Wall upon wall of authentic human bones carefully arranged skulls, and crossbones in intricate patterns. You’ll also find weird graffiti and inscriptions from past visitors, including the lost visitors’ mysterious messages.

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On a rainy day in Paris, staying connected can help you make the most of your visit, even when the weather’s not great. With a Yoho Mobile eSIM, you can access local info, find things to do indoors, and keep in touch with friends without needing Wi-Fi.

Stay connected and enjoy your time in Paris, no matter the weather.

 

 

Attend a performance at the Paris Opera

If you prefer the old splendor of Paris, in a more traditional sense, better leave the dead to their creepy tunnels and visit the Paris Opera. This building was part of the renovation of Paris in the 19th century, and it remains an incredibly important cultural center. Upon entering, you’ll be received by the Grand Staircase, one of the most photography spot in the whole opera house. This is the perfect place to dress elegantly and imagine yourself as one of the wealthy people of old Paris.

The Opera is open to the public every day except on performance days if you just want to take a look around. You can even choose a guided tour to learn more about the building and its history. Tickets are usually around 14 euros.

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Relax in a Cozy Cafe and Boutique Shops

Spend an afternoon in a charming Parisian café

After so much excitement, you’ll likely want to sit down for a while and enjoy a quiet cup of coffee. With the rainy days, maybe you would prefer an indoor café instead of the more popular outdoor one. Try Les Deux Magots, a historic café in Saint-German-des-Pres with a cozy and artistic ambiance. Or go to the Cafe Charlot, a great spot for people-watching. If you’re an artist, this is the perfect place to fetch your sketchbook and do some quick doodles of the passerby.

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Shop in an independent bookstore

Getting some coffee is great while it rains outside, but how about perusing old books during a rainy day in Paris? The city is famous for its independent bookstores, after all, and it would be a shame not to visit at least one.

Visit Shakespeare and Company, near the Seine, with its great collection of English books. You could find a rare vintage edition to add to your collection if you spend enough time between their bookshelves. If you want a historic place as well, go to Librairie Galignani. This is one of the oldest bookstores in Paris, established in 1801. There, you can enjoy a great selection of art books, literature, and photography.

Photo by Alla Sergeeva

 

Interactive and Immersive Exhibitions

Visit L’Atelier des Lumieres

If you want to forget for a while the melancholy of a rainy Paris, you can visit a unique and modern place like L’Atelier des Lumieres. This museum offers you a new way to see the work of masterminds like Van Gogh, Monet, and Klimt.

Instead of being confined to adorned marks, the artworks take new life and flow from room to room. The hidden projectors display the full works on the ceilings and floors, and not necessarily in a stagnant way. Leave your feet to take you through the museum, listen to the complementary music, and get immersed in the swirls and movement of the colors and the brush strokes.

 

Experience interactive displays

If you like L’Atelier Lumieres, here are some other interactive displays you can visit on a rainy day in Paris:

• Immersive Van Gogh: Very similar in style, but here you find a whole place solely dedicated to the works of Van Gogh and his unique artistic style.

• Le Musee des Arts et Metiers: The whole place is worth visiting, with entire exhibitions dedicated to the history of technology and innovation. But specifically, the Digital Gallery, where you can explore how the digital world has shaped our creativity and innovative spirit.

 

Stay connected with Yoho Mobile

Even on a rainy day in Paris, full of cozy pauses in cafes and immersive hours exploring the wonders of the city, you’ll want to have a reliable internet connection. And Yoho Mobile is here to help you. With their eSIMs, you can ensure you’ll have the best vacation in Paris with excellent data plans and great coverage everywhere you go.

• Use the code YOHO12 at checkout for a 12% discount!