Things to do in Paris in the Rain

Although Paris is a beautiful city the weather can be a little unpredictable. Rainstorms, or les orages, are a common occurrence here in the City of Lights. Don’t worry, with your umbrella and this hand list of things to in Paris in the rain, you will see that not even thunderstorms can rain on your perfect day in Paris.

1. Shopping

Everyone knows that Paris is a center of fashion and shopping, which is always an option on those rainy days. The Champs Élysées is famous for its high class shopping areas, sporting stores like Chloé, Dior, Prada, and so much more. However things can tend to be a little more expensive unless you go to less pricy stores like H&M and Zara.

If you are interested in all inclusive tours of the Champs Élysées check out our website.

Remember, this is a very touristy location and it is notorious for having pickpockets, so be sure to keep a careful watch on your things.
If you are looking to have a less touristy, less expensive, and classically “French” shopping trip in Paris, we highly recommend visiting the famous Passages Couverts. These inside markets are chalk full of antique shops, little French boutiques, and gorgeous cafes to drink an espresso or café au lait. If you are interested in the Passages Couverts, you can read more about them here.

2.  See a Show

Paris is chalk full of intense and wonderful Cabaret shows like The Moulin Rouge, The Lido, The Crazy Horse, and many others. These places are the perfect place to take refuge when it’s raining in Paris, especially as they have afternoon performances. While expensive, these shows are a spectacle that you will not forget before long.

 If you want to learn more about the shows that are available in Paris check out our post: The Best Cabaret Shows in Paris. You can book your tickets right on our website.

Paris also has a plethora of cinemas full of foreign, American, and domestic films. Most of the movies are in VOST (Original version with subtitles in French), be sure to select these ones and not the VF ones (version dubbed in French).

For theater lovers, you can even attend a live performance of a play in French with English surtitles. But be sure to book your tickets in advance as the plays that benefit from this technology are not very numerous and are usually fully booked at least a week in advance. More information here.

3.  Go to a Museum

Paris is filled with museums of every variety so you simply have to pick the one that peaks your interest. Whether it’s the Louvre, the Musée D’Orsay, Musée Rodin or any of the others that are sprinkled across Paris, you will be sure to think of you day spent as a day not wasted. If you need some ideas of museums to visit in Paris, check out our post all about museums. Post.

4.  Go to the Aquarium

The Paris Aquarium, located at Trocadéro, is a great place to spend any day, even if it isn’t raining. More active than art museums and perfect if you have children, the Paris Aquarium is the perfect place to spend your time, get out of the rain, and learn something new. The Paris Aquarium has many theatrical performances, films, workshops, and expositions for people of all ages, so this hidden gem is definitely a worthwhile trip.

5.  Treat yourself to a spa

If you are looking to treat yourself in Paris in the rain, Shagri-la Spa in Paris and the Peninsula Hotel and Spa are two of the most highly recommended spas in Paris (but not the only ones). With their beautiful indoor facilities and luxurious spa treatments, you’ll wish every day was rainy.

Other Posts You Might Like:

Best hotels in Paris

Treat Yourself In Paris!

Tailor-Made Paris