Things to do on a Rainy Day in Paris
Paris is a beautiful city, filled with a variety of activities for lots of different people to enjoy, but even Paris has rainy days. But never fear, there is still a lot of great things to do on a rainy day in Paris.
This article will help you to find the best things to do on a rainy day in Paris, because believe it or not, there are a lot of options! If you are visiting the city of love for a holiday, don’t worry, you will still have a packed day of activities available to you, no matter what the weather!
Shakespeare and Company
Paris is scattered with book stores, with both French and English books, but the best one to visit is Shakespeare and Company by far. Shakespeare and Company is a historical book store, first opened over one hundred years ago on Paris’ left bank. This book store holds mostly books written in English, and is filled to the brim with a variety of writers and genre. When walking around the book store you will realize that you could spend hours amongst the stacks and exploring the different rooms and floors, especially if you find the infamous cat, who is usually looking out from the upstairs front window. Located on the left bank across from the Notre Dame, you will know you have found Shakespeare and Company when you see the shelves and stacks of books outside of the store. You may also see buskers and poetry writers outside the book store (if the rain doesn’t stop them), adding even more aesthetic and ambiance to the experience of this intelligent, historical book store. You will leave the store wishing to spend more time reading the backs of books and piling up a stack that you want to buy. We recommend visiting Shakespeare and Company on a Friday or Saturday, because the store does not close until ten on those days and you will be able to take you time exploring and reading if you arrive in the afternoon. Aside from books, you will also be able to check out their visiting authors, which are listed with dates throughout the store. Once entering and realizing what a big fan of the book store you are, it is possible that you may also walk out with a Shakespeare and Company tote bag or pin. No matter what you buy or don’t buy, and no matter which genres you enjoy, you will definitely find something of interest to you at Shakespeare and Company.
French Cinema
Credit: Lostinfrenchlation.com
Another great thing to do on a rainy day is watch a movie! Yes, movies are a great idea anywhere no matter what the weather, but while in Paris, and without the opportunity to explore streets and parks, going to the cinema is a great way to stay sheltered from the rain while continuing to experience French culture. There is a wide variety of French films available to watch around Paris, for France is known for its heart wrenching, artistic films. The best part about this option is that you don’t need to understand French in order to enjoy the films you wish to see! Many French films have subtitles in English, making it very easy for English speakers to understand. One company specifically that you should definitely take advantage of if wanting to see a French film but also be able to understand it is Lost in Frenchlation. Lost in Frenchlation is a company that screens French films with English subtitles in an effort to bring French cinema to a wider variety of people. It is a great tool to take advantage of if wanting to see a French film but also be able to understand it and we highly recommend that you take advantage of it.
Museums
Museums are at the heart of French tourism, and for good reason. France, and specifically Paris, offer many different museums and art galleries that you can take advantage of, and are a perfect way to escape the rain. It is true that some museums in Paris can be overwhelmingly big, and it may seem impossible to attempt to see anything. On the contrary, you can have the chance to see a wide variety of art and historical content if you focus on what is of interest to you. For example, instead of wandering the entire Louvre museum, read about the various options before you go, and then head to what you would like to see. There are also other museums, such as the Musée de l’Orangerie, that are much smaller, yet still filled with great art, and able to be seen within a few hours. You can check out our blog post on Museums in Paris for more information. All in all, museums are an excellent option to get your museum visits in while in Paris, and what better way to take advantage of a rainy day?
We hope that you found this article helpful. Sometimes it can feel as though there is nothing to do when it is lashing rain outside, but never fear! Luckily, Paris still has many options for you to take advantage of that will still leave you feeling fulfilled and satisfied with your trip.
