June is one of the best months to visit Paris: the summer tourist crowd isn’t there yet, the days are long and perfect for evening strolls or dinner, and the weather is cool and sunny… Except some years, June decides to be a little bit different, with quite erratic weather, making us feel like it's November on some days. Yes, sometimes, there can be more rainy days in June than in February!
In Paris, forget about the rain!
Is the rain frustrating? Absolutely! Is it going to ruin your trip? Absolutely not! Even though we might long for a sunny afternoon sipping coffee or wine on a café terrace. But guess what, on a rainy day in Paris, you still can sip coffee or wine on a terrace!
You may have to forget about lying in the sun on the iconic green chairs of the Jardin du Luxembourg or indulging in cocktails on a rooftop though, and yes, Miss Eiffel may have her head literally in the clouds, but on a rainy day, Paris remains a place with countless opportunities to enjoy yourself and taste the art-de-vivre à la française: Museums, covered passages, exhibitions, cozy cafés, libraries, theaters… really, in the city of light, the sky is the limit!
What to do in Paris on a rainy day
So, let’s look at your options on a rainy day in Paris 😉
If you had scheduled a stroll in the Tuileries Garden after visiting the Louvre, head to Angelina instead, taste their oh-so-delicious Chocolat Africain (trust me, it’s such a treat), and then go shopping at the nearby Samaritaine. By the way, pouring rain is the perfect weather to indulge in some shopping in Paris’ incredible department stores (grands magasins): Samaritaine, of course, but also the Galeries Lafayette on the iconic boulevard Haussmann or Le Bon Marché (my favorite) in Saint-Germain. And why not upgrade your shopping experience by hiring a personal shopper?
In Paris, even the rain won’t stop you from sitting on a terrace and indulging in people-watching; terraces are often covered 😉 If you don’t feel like staying outside, the cozy and warm interiors of cafés are the perfect place to relax and feel like a local on a rainy day in Paris. You may also stop in a bar with live music or even in a cabaret.
Besides, the city is full of museums. The Louvre and Orsay are worldwide stars, but there are many other treasures waiting to be discovered: the Musée Jacquemard André (my favorite) where you’ll step back into the 19th century, the Musée Carnavalet telling you all about Paris’ history, the Hôtel de la Marine with its breathtaking view over the Place de la Concorde and the Eiffel Tower… and the list goes on with the Galerie Dior for fashionistas, or the latest exhibit at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs.
You may also opt for a travel back in time with a lunch at the famous Le Train Bleu and a stroll in the covered passages (where you may stop at Musée Grévin with your teens), followed by some mystery with a night visit of the Opéra Garnier… enchanting! And why not take it up a notch with some treasure hunts or a visit to the Atelier des Lumières where colorful paintings dance on the floor and walls around you? Options are countless on a rainy day in Paris.
Paris is pure bliss, rain or shine!
Last but not least, remember Paris is always beautiful, rain or shine! As we say in French, “Nous ne sommes pas en sucre” (we’re not made of sugar), meaning we won’t dissolve in the rain… so grab some trench coats (you’re in Paris, forget about those yellow raincoats) or an umbrella and go beat the rain! On rainy days in Paris, the light is different, and the clouds and fog will make for great photos… after all, it’s not every day Miss Eiffel has her head in the clouds!
One last thing, rain can also create unforgettable memories for you… like that time my bestie came to visit me in Paris. We ended up completely soaked (because we were silly enough to share just one umbrella) and stepped into a shop to buy that piece of jewelry my friend had been dying for for years (literally, no kidding, that long). We had the most exquisite experience, with coffee and champagne, and felt like VIPs when we were allowed to access their top floor where all their jewelry treasures are displayed. Such a moment! Well, if it hadn’t been a rainy day in Paris, we wouldn’t have lived such an experience 😉
So, my dear readers... let me wish you a great Parisian rainy day!
And if you need more ideas on what to do in Paris, download Montmartre Unveiled - A Paris Experience - The guide I created especially for you!
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