It’s raining – but fortunately there’s always something to do in Paris, even on rainy days! This is your chance to get a different perspective on the capital’s treasures while keeping warm and dry.
Watching the rainfall through the windows of the Ladurée or Angelina tea rooms whilst enjoying mouthwatering pastries and French macarons in quintessentially Parisian Belle Epoqueinteriors. What more could you ask for? And for an experience to remember, go for tea in one of Paris’s palaces: French patisserie by François Perret at the Ritz , sweet treats at the Meurice or tea time at a moderate price (29 euros) and patisserie from the world’s best pastry chef Nina Metayer at the 5-star hôtel particulier Colbert, in the 5th arrondissement … There is something for everyone. If you’re a chocolate fan, the Lindt shop is the perfect place to wait out the rain while you give in to temptation, as are the great chocolatiers such as Jacques Genin and la Manufacture Ducasse.
It feels like the Tropics inside the greenhouse of the gardens of Auteil, where the atmosphere is kept hot and humid all year round to benefit the 6,000 plant species growing here. From palm trees to exotic birds, everything in here is guaranteed to give you a real change of scene! Inside the greenhouses of the Jardin des Plantes in southern Paris, you can wander among creepers, banana trees, ferns and orchids, imagine yourself transported to the heat of the American desert, and explore New Caledonia’s amazing plant life. And for an all-inclusive experience, head to the huge glass-ceilinged Grande Galerie de l’Evolution, where you can observe a variety of very lifelike stuffed animals and their natural habitats. Another way to stay dry is to visit the tropical aquarium in the Palais de la Porte Dorée and spend time admiring the fascinating collection of 5,000 animals including primitive fish, ‘electric’ fish, sharks, piranhas and crocodiles.
Why not go for a dip and imagine it’s summer. The wonderful pools in the Espace Pailleron, La Butte aux Cailles or the Joséphine Baker swimming pool combine practicality with pleasure.
Missing the beach? You can get back in the sand at Sandfabrik! This is the place to play beach volleyball, beach rugby or other types of sport, out of the rain. After your exertion, you can chill out with a trip to the Seychelles at the restaurant Coco de Mer. With its fine sandy beach, wicker chairs and delicious Seychelles cooking, it's as good as being there! For fantastic Afro-Caribbean cocktails, la Commune, in Belleville is the place to go. The award-winning Syndicat team has created a cool tropical spirit that you'll find hard to leave. And for a French summer holiday atmosphere complete with pastis, a platter of charcuterie and a game of pétanque, head to one of the three Chez Bouboule restaurants, open every day except Sunday. Les Niçois and its pétanque court on the lower ground floor are also a great escape to the South of France without leaving Paris.
After your exertion, you can chill out at Coco de Mer, the restaurant with a feel of the Seychelles. A white sand beach, wicker chairs and traditional Seychelles delicacies to feast on: it’s as good as being there! For a French summer holiday atmosphere complete with Pastis, a charcuterie platter and a game of boules, head to one of the three Chez Bouboule restaurants, open every day except Sunday.
If it’s raining but you’d still like to be sitting out on a terrace, no problem – there are covered terraces to be found in many parts of Paris. For starters, there’s Le Très Particulier, tucked away amid leafy greenery in the heart of Montmartre, or, a short way away, the terrace of Terrass’ Hotel, with its famed view over all of Paris. Or you could go slightly off the beaten track and sink into a comfortable chair at the glass-ceilinged restaurant L’Île in Issy-les-Moulineaux to gaze out at the view of the Île Saint Germain island. In the Latin Quarter, the Grande Mosquée de Paris is a peaceful haven amid the city’s bustle. Treat yourself to delicious Oriental pastries while sipping mint tea in the Moorish interior of the tea room while you wait for the rain to stop – or why not go one step further and pamper yourself in the hammam, or Turkish bath (women only).
Grey, wet weather? Take the opportunity to enjoy some moments of wellbeing. There is something for every taste and budget: unusual spas like le Spa dans le Noir, the great classics like Thalgo or Nuxe and magnificent spas in Parisian hotels. For something more original, go along and try out the flotation pods at Meiso or at Les Bulles à Flotter for some float therapy.
Need to burn off some energy? There are sports clubs in streets all over the city. Choose from yoga at Qee, Yuj or Yoga Bikram, crossFit at CrossFit Louvre or the Lutèce, a boxing class at Episod or at Temple Noble Art. Also worth mentioning are the numerous sports associations throughout the capital, offering a wide variety of sports at year-round prices and in a friendly atmosphere.
Looking for something a little different? Head to Deyrolle. This temple of taxidermy is undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary places in the French capital. For virtual reality fans, there’re The Edge, Virtual Room, which offers state-of-the-art VR experiences, and has a one-of-a-kind escape game.
And if you're looking for a thrilling experience, the free-fall simulator iFLY Chute Libre Indoor at La Villette is for you. If you're more of a sleuth, why not set off on an escape game adventure such as Panic Room or LockAcademy. Plus, to play a music game, put your friends to the test in the Quiz Room or sing along in one of the many karaoke venues in the capital. Your heart will be torn between Belleville's more popular addresses and BAM Karaoké Box trendy karaoke bars.
These immersive experiences are perfect for having fun with family and friends while staying dry. Here are two not-to-be-missed options to spice up your rainy days.
Virtual Room offers a unique experience that combines an escape game with virtual reality. In teams of two to four people, dive into futuristic, collaborative worlds. Each player is equipped with a state-of-the-art VR headset, transporting them into interactive worlds where logic and communication are key to solving puzzles. Virtual Room will appeal to fans of new technologies and those keen to experience an extraordinary adventure, all in a warm, dry environment.
Fans of super heroes, get ready to become Batman! This immersive escape game invites you to Gotham City, where you'll have to thwart the Machiavellian plans of Batman's notorious enemies. Suitable for families and groups of friends, the game features impressive settings and a variety of challenges to test your team spirit. Even if you're not a die-hard fan, it's a great way to forget about the rainy weather in Paris.
Escape games are the ideal way to enjoy a fun, intelligent and friendly indoor activity. As well as being sheltered, you'll enjoy unforgettable moments of complicity, while exploring fascinating worlds without leaving Paris.
If you want to discover more of Paris while staying out of harm's way, take a behind-the-scenes tour of the city's monuments ! Accompanied by a guide, the hidden places of the Opéra Garnier, the Philharmonie de Paris, the Stade de France, the Printemps Haussmann, the Crazy Horse and many others will no longer hold any secret.
A rainy day is a good excuse to explore some of the 30 covered passages in the 2nd arrondissement that escaped Haussmann’s reconstruction of Paris, or to venture into the catacombs and pay your respects to some famous characters from history whose remains are to be found here, such as Rabelais, Racine, Blaise Pascal, Montesquieu, the Perrault brothers, Danton and Robespierre. Another underground option is the Musée des égouts de Paris (closed for renovation until 2020), where you will learn about the history of the city’s complex sewer network (the earliest drain dates back to the 13th century).
More info about unusual activities
When it's raining in Paris, cinemas are the perfect place to warm up and unwind. The capital is packed with great cinemas with something for everyone. Dive into the past with art house cinemas like La filmothèque du Quartier Latin, Le Louxor, Le cinéma du Panthéon or Studio 28, little gems for fans of art house movies and classic films. For a more modern experience, multiplex cinemas like UGC Ciné Cité or Pathé show a wide range of blockbusters and recent movies in comfortable auditoriums. Whether you're a movie fan or just enjoy the occasional film, whether you’re with the kids or a couple, Paris is the ideal place to see a movie when the skies are grey.
More information on cinema with your sweetheart in Paris
Find out how to see a film in Paris when you don't speak French
Did you know that some of the big auction houses like Drouot or Artcurial are open to the public? Whether you're genuinely interested in purchasing something, or simply amused by the bidding and selling, this experience is bound to leave you with some great memories.
Rainy weather is also a great opportunity to browse the lovely stores in Paris. La Samaritaine, Bon Marché, BHV, Vallée Village, Printemps and Galeries Lafayette are waiting to welcome you.
What if it’s raining and your children insist on going out? Paris has any number of family-friendly places to explore, whatever the weather! An original activity for children, Quiz Room (Quiz Room Odéon, Quiz Room Opéra and Quiz Room Villette) offers 1 hour of brain-teasing questions and fun. They'll be buzzing about history, film music, sport and more... There are lots of good places to have lunch with the kids, starting with Casa Luca, which serves a delicious Italian brunch, and the Atelier des P’tits Chefs, where children learn how to make tasty pizzas. On the Île de la Jatte, Café La Jatte is the perfect place to enjoy classic Italian dishes in an amazing location, with a fake dinosaur skeleton providing added interest. There are also creative workshops for children every Sunday afternoon, such as how to make a dragon’s egg, a cat mask or a Snow Queen crown.
For Asian food fans, a good option is Chez Hé, where parents can enjoy a meal in the restaurant section while keeping an eye via monitors on the kids playing in the basement room filled with games. For some leisurely browsing, head to La REcyclerie, Ground Control or Comptoir Général, three trendy yet family-friendly crossover venues where you will find eating areas, secondhand or vintage objects and clothes, exhibitions, DIY workshops, plays, concerts and children’s activities.
Food and entertainment are on the menu of the River Café at weekends. On Saturday and Sunday afternoons, kids can enjoy after-lunch activities like fishing, make-up sessions, shows and workshops while their parents enjoy a good meal next to a wood fire in this restaurant on the banks of the Seine.
Why not follow up your family museum visit with a gourmet coffee? Drop in to Café Mulot in the Victor Hugo Museum or stop off during your visit to the Jardin des Plantes and the Natural History Museum at Les Belles Plantes.
If you’re more museum-oriented, the Musée en Herbe has exhibitions that will appeal to people of all ages, in which the visitors are the heroes, as well as workshops for kids aged 2 ½ to 4 ½ years and others for 5-to-12-year-olds. At La Villette, the Cité des Enfants is the realm of 2-7-year-olds with a vast area devoted to them, featuring themes such as ‘I discover myself’, ‘I can do’, ‘I locate myself’, ‘I experiment’ and ‘All together’. Top of the list of children's favourite museums? The Museum of Illusion, the Paradox Museum and the Museum of Fairground Arts (only open during the holidays).
Across from the Eiffel Tower is a museum with great appeal for children, the Musée de l'Homme. Filled with interactive exhibits, it is a treasure trove for curious minds of all ages, with hiding places, games exploring differences, and short films to learn more about human evolution. The Pompidou Centre is another family-friendly museum, with plenty of entertaining art-themed activities. Then of course there is that Paris must-see, the Musée Grevin, where the whole family will enjoy looking at the** wax figures** of famous people. Here’s your chance to be photographed alongside your favourite celebrities – and stay dry in the process!
Bish bash buzz !
TV show aficionados, hear us out: we present to you the first immersive quiz games …
Bish bash buzz !
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Bish bash buzz !
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A rainy day is a good excuse to explore indoor treasures. Start with the covered passages, for example Passage des Panoramas, perfect for a stroll. Visit the capital’s top museums: the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay will delight art lovers. Parisian cafes, like those in Saint-Germain, are great places to pause and watch the world go by. Not to miss for literary fans is the bookshop Shakespeare and Company. Finally, rainy days are the ideal occasion for shopping in department stores such as Galeries Lafayette and BHV.
Enjoy a delicious snack together in a cosy cafe in Montmartre or a romantic dinner aboard a bateau-mouche. Cultural enthusiasts will appreciate seeing an art house movie or a show at the theatre.
