Paris Rainy Day ActivitiesPrakhar – Rainy view from Montmartre

Fifty degree weather? Rain? What’s next, sleet? The summer is obviously on vacation somewhere else this year. It packed up and went on a tour of Italy and Spain most likely, because it’s definitely not in Paris! The sun has been taking a big ole dump on my outdoor plans for quite a while now. I’ve been cooped up in my apartment too long, another week of this and I’ll be eligible for the hermit of the year award.

It’s time to brave the weather and see Paris from the inside out. Here are a few things that are tempting me at the moment:

YSL expo at Petit Palais: I’ve heard great things about this exhibit, but haven’t gotten around to going yet! It’s open until this weekend, so I’m down to the wire to get around to doing anything that could give me the slightest insight about how to dress my sorrily-clothed-self.

Kentrige 5 Themes expo at Jeu de Paume: This is by far one of my favorite museums in Paris; the expos never fail to disappoint! This expo looks particularly good. I like that it’s a mix of mediums – drawings, prints, films & all that. This is good because I have a real attention span pro- DID YOU SEE THAT BIRD FLY BY??

Paris Rainy Day ActivitiesSupagroova, Lemmiworld

Tea at l’Hotel: My friend Rebecca introduced me to this place and it was love at first sight. It’s the perfect place to cozy up and drink your self warm again. Luxurious, a bit swanky, but they’ll let you sit and relax for hours with a good book. (Read: I’m cheap. 5€ is already a lot, so I’m getting my money’s worth!)

And here are suggestions from the Paris experts via Twitter! These people REALLY know their way around the city, you can trust them with your rainy vacation days! Please be sure to check their blogs and add them on Twitter for more insights!!

Paris: Rainy Day ActivitiesBachmont

Museums & Activities

@ParisCosy  – http://www.pariscosy.com – Go to the Jardin des plantes? the tropical glasshouses…

@fleurishing – http://www.fleurishingblog.com/ –  Spend all day at the Musé d’Orsay, or stroll around Palais Royal!

@ParisKarin – http://analienparisienne.wordpress.com/ – I recently went to the Musée national du Moyen Âge for the first time on a free Sunday a week or so ago. It was sprinkling on and off that day. It was a perfect museum to see on the free day, too — not too crowded. That was my best rainy day experience so far during this weird-weather summer. The Lady and the Unicorn tapestries, of course, were a highlight. I think it was just the amount of medieval art all together in one museum. There is a real sense of time and place there, an ancient past well represented. The chapel there reminded me of Hogwarts, too, which was cool.

@BethArnold – http://www.betharnold.com/ – I’m a movie-holic, so I’m up for a movie any ole time, especially when it rains.

@HavenInParis – https://hipparis.comCheck out the 104 and then walk to a movie  at MK2 Quai de Seine/ Quai de Loire. After shopping at the Bio Coop On the Canal. Another option is Forum des Images (amazing and cheap movies)!

Paris: Rainy Day ActivitiesErica Berman – View from Houdon Montmartre 1-bedroom

Shopping

@petitfranceblog – http://www.lepetitfranceblog.com/ – I’d cruise the gourmet hall at Galeries Lafayette, catch-up on some shopping, then hit their prosciutto & wine bar for lunch.

@cailinash – http://thedomesticgoddess.tumblr.com/ – Is it wrong I automatically thought of Galeries Lafayette as my #parisrainyday solution?

Wandering & Lounging

@kasiainparis – http://www.loveinthecityoflights.com/ – Rainy day in Saint Germain: gallery hopping on Rue de Seine followed by an apéro and people watching at Bar Du Marche

@lafemmecooks – http://lafemmecooks.com/ – Also how about trying to make macarons from scratch? or mexican hot chocolate?

@LostNCheeseland – http://www.lostincheeseland.com/ – Check out the Palais de Tokyo or Musé d’Orsay!

@kasiainparis – http://www.loveinthecityoflights.com/ – Rainy day at Place des Vosges: visit the Maison de Victor Hugo, gallery hopping, followed by lunch/cafe at Cafe Hugo.

@52Martinis – Visit the covered passages around the 9th (around the auction houses) lots of cute cafes, restos, shops.

@phyllisflick – http://parisnotebook.wordpress.com/ – I like the Danton café at Odeon with its large windows for watching the world go by.

Paris Rainy Day ActivitiesHipposrunsuperfast.com Supagroova

@52Martinis – http://www.52martinis.com/ – How about a movie, but not just any movie – at a funky, artsy cinema like La pagode or Studio 28?

@LittleBrownPen – http://littlebrownpen.blogspot.com/

Paris plus rain, plus a night sky, plus lights, equals one of my favorite things. Rather than duck for cover, hit a museum. Otherwise embrace the rain, open the umbrella and enjoy the show. What show? Light dancing on the glowing pavement, moody people tucked under umbrellas and into trench coats, the juxtaposition of warm, glowing interiors and the dark, wet cold. I’ll eventually tire of the rain and will choose a café in which to warm up and enjoy a café creme, but not before I enjoy every sight and sound.

@Badaude – http://www.Badaude.typepad.com – Just go with it. Sit in a café and drip. Parisians love to complain about the weather so take this opportunity to feel more French without putting in too much effort. For maximum effect smoke en terrasse under one of those plastic awnings. Bring a book.

Readers, what are some of your favorite things to do in Paris in the rain?

PS: Listen to the rain fall on Parisian rooftops

Written by Shannon. For our amazing rentals in Paris, Provence & Tuscany check out our website Haven in Paris.

WRITTEN BY

Shannon

Shannon has set out to discover the truth about Parisians… one humiliating story at a time. Her blog, Je Ne Sais Quoi, is a caricature and she has appointed herself the queen of exaggerationland. The highly sensitive, sarcastically-challenged, emotionally-constipated and humorless should jump ship immediately.

8 Comments

  1. It is still raining in Paris. Argh. I guess boots and a raincoat are needed and then we can just go about our business as usual. Grr!

  2. Love this blog! Always with the perfect idea. Merci.
    PS : I love the 45 seconds of audible rain.

  3. * For photography lovers: visit “la Maison Européenne de la Photographie” (http://www.mep-fr.org)

    * Walk through the 19th century covered passages (http://www.passagesetgaleries.org/)

    * If you’re into fabrics: spend some time in the Marché Saint-Pierre
    (http://www.marchesaintpierre.com/en)

    * Take your umbrella and walk along the Seine

  4. La pluie! That’s so naughty of darling Paris to do that to you in Summer!

    Justine stole my thunder! Musee Carnavalet in the Marais is one of my fave in the city.

    Otherwise have lunch at a nice old style french cafe such as “Cafe du Commerce” in 15th arrondissement.
    View photos here: http://www.lecafeducommerce.com/photos/
    and then enjoy a leisurely walk in the area.

    I would live there if I could!!

    Great food and ambiance

  5. My ideas……walk around the Louvre des Antiquaires; it’s huge and elegant, and like having your own private Museé des Arts Decoratifs, plus you can get up close and even touch things.

    Or go to the Musée Carnavalet in the Marais, for a great free treat. Lovely garden there too for sunny days.

  6. We have had few rainy days when in Paris but any day that was too cold or wet would find us at the Louvre or D’Orsay then lunch .. either at the museum or close by, somewhere small and cozy .
    When we stay in an apartment , we will spend a while in Cafe Roussillon on rue de Grenelle ..

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