15 Things to Do on a Rainy Day in Paris [with Map]

Rainy day in Paris in France

Paris is naturally a romantic city at all seasons, especially in rainy days. 

No matter how beautiful it looks, you may want to spend your time in closed areas on a rainy day. A cloudy morning is no guarantee for a rainy day. Or a bright sky can be turned to a rain all of a sudden.

Don't worry ! You will find many options to go in Paris during bad weather in this article. Read below our 15 best ideas of things to do in Paris during rainy days

Let's go !

Things to Know About the Climate & Rain Season in Paris

Paris experiences a temperate climate with distinct seasons. Summers (June to August) bring warm and pleasant weather (20-25°C), perfect for a delightful picnic in front of the iconic Eiffel Tower or a scenic cruise along the SeineWinters (December to February) are cool (around 5°C) but enchanting, as festive lights adorn the city, and indoor cultural experiences provide welcoming retreats.

Although rain showers can surprise visitors throughout the year, December and January are generally the rainiest months in Paris. While the rain adds its own touch of magic, the good news is that the climate in Paris is generally dry. The average annual precipitation totals just 65 cm, with measurable rainfall occurring on approximately 110 days each year.

  • Before thoroughly reviewing the to-do list, you can read all the information about the Seine River Cruise and reserve your ticket.
  • Pro Tip: Paris weather can be unpredictable, with sudden changes, which is why it is best to be prepared and flexible in your plans. Check the forecast, pack accordingly, and keep some indoor backup activities in mind from our list below.

1. Louvre Museum

Louvre Museum Paris

The Louvre Museum is visited by 15,000 people every day! The Louvre Museum is a perfect place, especially when it pours, where you can spend all your day. It has the title as "world's largest museum". It is a unique museum where you can see the most important artworks of the world such as Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Liberty Leading the People, the Raft of the Medusa.

Information:

  • Address : Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France
  • Public Transportation : Palais-Royal, Musée du Louvre, Line 1 & 7

Popular Ticket Options:

2. Orsay Museum

Musée d’Orsay

Orsay Museum (French, Musée d'Orsay) is an art gallery dedicated to the visual arts of the 19th century. It occupies the old building of the Orsay train station and houses the world's largest collection of Impressionist artifacts.

Information:

  • Address : 1 Rue de la Legion d'Honneur, 75007 Paris, France
  • Public Transportation : "Solférino " station on Metro Line 12

Popular Ticket Options:

3. Orangerie Museum

Orangerie Museum cover

Orangerie Museum is located in the Tuileries Garden, one of the greenest zones in Paris. The museum stands out with its rich collection of impressionist artists.

The museum includes works of famous artists such as Paul Cézanne, Henri Matisse, Amedeo Modigliani, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Henri Rousseau, Marie Laurencin, Chaim Soutine, Alfred Sisley and Maurice Utrillo.

You can see Monet's famous "Water Lilies Cycle" in the Orangerie Museum.

Information:

  • Address : Jardin des Tuileries, Place de la Concorde, 75001 Paris
  • Tickets : Tickets for Musée de l'Orangerie
  • Public Transportation : "Concorde" station on Metro Lines 1, 8 and 12

4. Catacombs of Paris

Catacombs cover image in Paris in France

Explore the underground chambers and dark tunnels full of bones and skulls. Old limestone mines had been turned into a common cemetery at the late 18th century. It is preserved as the largest concrentation of its kind in Europe today. 

Information:

  • Address : Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy (place Denfert-Rochereau) 75014 Paris
  • More to read about the Catacombs of Paris
  • Public Transportation : "Denfert Rochereau" station on Metro lines 4 & 6 

Popular Ticket Options: 

5. Montmartre Trip

Sacre Coeur Basilica in Paris in France

You can combine a visit to Sacre-Coeur Basilica in the historical Montmartre neighbourhood with the Montmartre Museum on a rainy day.

Start your day with taking a look at magnificent Paris view from the terraces in front of the  Sacre Coeur. Montmartre Museum allows you to better understand the history of this bohemian neighbourhood where lived many renowned artists and singers. 

Information :

6. Centre Pompidou

Pompidou Paris

Centre Pompidou is a cultural institution attracting attention with its unique architecture. It houses the National Museum of Art that contains art works from different parts of the world in many fields.

It is possible to get a specific ticket for only to see the Paris view from the top floor without visiting the museum. From there you can see Sacre-Coeur basilica, Eiffel Tower and many other monuments.

Information :

7. Moulin Rouge

The Moulin Rouge in Paris in France

Moulin Rouge is a phemenomenal  cabaret  in the 18th arrondissement of Paris that became famous with the most indispensable dance of the late 19th century "Can Can" with the orchestra stage shows. The red windmill on its roof became  one of the symbols of the city. Moulin Rouge was highly preferred by Parisian society during the "Belle Epoque".

Information :

  • Address : 82 Boulevard de Clichy, 75018 Paris
  • Public Transportation : Closest station is "Blanche" on Métro Line 2. 

Popular Ticket Options:

8. Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame Paris

Notre Dame Cathedral is the metropolitan Roman Catholic cathedral in Paris and is one of the most magnificent architectural monuments of the world. It is also one of the first gothic cathedrals. Todat it still hosts the archdiocese of Paris. The Cathedral was badly damaged due to a fire that broke out on April 15, 2019.

Information :

  • Address : 6 Parvis Notre-Dame - Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris
  • Tickets : Admission to Notre Dame is free
  • Public Transportation : Can be reached from "Cité" or "Saint-Michel" stations on the Metro line 4.
  • More updates about Notre Dame Cathedral

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9. Panthéon

Pantheon in Paris is a must seen place housing the tombs of many respected intellectuals and writers like Voltaire, Rousseau, Alexandre Dumas as well as an exact copy of the Foucault's pendulum.

Information :

  • Address: Place du Panthéon 75005 Paris  
  • More to read about Pantheon in Paris
  • Public Transportation: You can walk there from "Cardinal Lemoine" station, on Metro line 10.   

Popular Ticket Options:

10. Musée Picasso

Picasso Museum Cover in Paris in France

The Picasso Museum has the largest collection of Spanish artist Pablo Picasso's drawings, paintings, sculptures, engravings, all part of his artistic development. The museum itself is one of the most beautiful historical mansions in the Le Marais district.  

Information :

11. Rodin Museum

Rodin Museum in Paris in France

Musée Rodin is dedicated to the works of Auguste Rodin, one of the most beloved and famous French sculptor. The Rodin Museum has a massive collection of sculptures, drawings and photographs. Nearly 300 works of Rodin are on display in the museum. There are works of some other artists as well.

Information :

12. Palace of Versailles

versailles, france

Versailles Palace is located 25 kilometers southeast of Paris, in the city of Versailles. From 1682 to 1789 Versailles was the capital of France. It was built during the reign of the King 14th Louis.

The palace has a very massive and beautiful garden. The 14th Louis, who took the title of "sun king", hunted in the grove of this huge garden and hosted thousands of guests here.

Information :

  • Address : Place d'Armes, 78000 Versailles
  • Public Transportation : The RER C  train directly leads you to the Palace of Versailles.

Popular Ticket Options:

13. L'Atelier des Lumiéres

L'Atelier des Lumières is located in the 11th arrondissement of Paris. It was a former foundry in the size of half a football field, transformed into an immersive exhibition space that allows a new kind of digital experience around the masterpieces of great artists such as Monét, Renoir, Chagall and many others. This attraction would be fascinating for all ages with the dance of colors all around.

Information :

  • Address : 38 Rue Saint-Maur, 75011 Paris
  • Tickets : Online Ticket for L'Atelier des Lumières
  • Public Transportation : The closest station is "Rue Saint Maur" on the Metro line 3.
  • More to read about L'Atelier des Lumières in Paris

14. Grevin Wax Museum

The Grevin wax museum in Paris in France

Grevin Wax Museum is located in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, on the right bank of the Seine. More than 200 wax figures are on display in the museum such as Albert Einstein, Michael Jackson, Alfred Hitchcock, Mahatma Gandhi. 

Information :

15. Galeries Lafayette

Galleries Lafayette is in the 9th arrondissement of Paris is the leading department store in Europe receiving 20 million visitors a year. It is possible to find many leading brands here. The building has an Art Deco style and its sumptuous dome gives a fantastic atmosphere. There is a beautiful view from the terrace of Lafayette. 

Information :

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Now you are set to spend great days in Paris even if it rains. Check our other related articles and find more ideas of things to do in Paris.

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