culture
Things to Do in Paris When It Rains: Indoor Ideas by Neighbourhood
A wet-weather plan for Paris, world-class museums, covered passages, historic cafés and markets, grouped so you can stay dry and still see the city.
How we reported this
Rain is common in Paris in every season, but it barely dents what you can do, much of the city’s best culture is indoors, and several of its most atmospheric corners were literally built to keep the weather out. Before setting out, it is worth checking the forecast for your dates on a dedicated Paris weather service, then choosing an indoor-heavy plan like the ones below.
Make It a Museum Day
A wet day is the ideal excuse for the big collections. The Louvre (1st arrondissement) and the Musée d’Orsay (7th) can each absorb a whole afternoon; note the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays and the Orsay on Mondays. Booking a timed slot online lets you go straight in out of the rain. Smaller museums such as the Musée de l’Orangerie, with Monet’s Water Lilies, make excellent shorter stops.
Explore the Covered Passages
Long before shopping malls, Paris built the passages couverts, glass-roofed 19th-century arcades lined with shops and cafes. A cluster survives on the Right Bank, including the Galerie Vivienne and the Passage des Panoramas, and you can string several together on a dry walking route through the 2nd arrondissement.
Covered Markets and Department Stores
The Marché des Enfants Rouges in the Marais, the oldest covered market in Paris, is a fine place to eat under cover. The grand department stores near Opéra, with their historic stained-glass domes, are worth visiting as architecture as much as for shopping.
Historic Cafés and Weekend Events
A long lunch or an afternoon in a traditional café is a perfectly Parisian response to bad weather. And because many events run indoors, the City of Paris’s “Que Faire à Paris” listing is a good way to find concerts, exhibitions and workshops on a rainy weekend.
One More Tip
For sunshine and forecasts across the city’s neighbourhoods, check a local Paris weather service before you commit to an outdoor plan, it is the easiest way to decide between a park and a gallery.
Sources
This guide draws on the official tourist and city information services listed below. Opening hours and prices change seasonally, so confirm the latest details on each venue’s official website before you visit.