There’s something cinematic about a rainy day in Paris
— like you’ve accidentally stepped into a moody French film where the umbrellas are chic, the cafés are steamy, and the cobblestones glisten like a stage set. It’s the kind of weather that makes everything feel more intentional — like the city is asking you to slow down, get cozy, and pay attention.
Oh, and the rain always seems to come about when you’ve forgotten your umbrella. Of course.
But here’s the thing — a rainy day in Paris is not a ruined day. It’s not a delay. It’s not a backup plan. It’s an invitation. So, forget scrambling for shelter or rewriting your itinerary. Paris in the rain is a vibe worthy of full-on embrace. And if you do it right, it might just become the unexpected highlight of your entire trip. Here’s how to make the absolute most of a rainy day in Paris.
And if you need to buy the perfect umbrella, pop into one of my friends’ stores before you head out.
Covered passages like Passage Choiseul are a perfect bet on a rainy day in Paris
1. Duck Into the Covered Passages on the Right Bank
I adore Paris’ passages couverts. They’re a throwback to a time when shopping was a fashionable, leisurely experience, not a chore. These are places where architecture, atmosphere, and a good espresso converge. And let me tell you — they’re the perfect rainy day in Paris escape.
Your best bet is to head to the right bank, choose a Passage to start in (Passage Choiseul makes a fine beginning) and then see how many you can string together as you dodge the rain drops.
The covered passages are strung across the Right Bank like secret corridors from another era. Picture glass ceilings arching overhead, checkerboard tiled floors underfoot, and cozy little boutiques, bookshops, and vintage toy stores lining your way. You’ll find everything from secondhand treasures to handmade umbrellas (how poetic, right?).
Some passages, like Passage des Panoramas and Galerie Vivienne, are total Belle Époque eye candy — with their mosaics, archways, and glowy golden lights. Others, like Passage Choiseul, lean more brutalist with rawer vibes, and if you’re hungry, the Japanese food tucked in there is top-notch. (It has roots, too — designer Kenzo set up shop here in the 1970s and helped attract a Japanese following that still lingers.)
Start wherever you feel the vibe calling — maybe the cozy, literary charm of Galerie Vivienne or the more down-to-earth bustle of Passage Verdeau. Grab a drink, browse some books, splurge on an antique map of Paris.
And the best part? You can link many of these passages together on foot, ducking between them and staying mostly dry. It’s a rainy day in Paris itinerary that practically writes itself.
Use a rainy day in Paris to explore the history of the old city at Musée Carnavalet
2. The Musée Carnavalet: A Free Dose of Parisian Drama and History
Tucked into the heart of the Marais and completely free to enter, Musée Carnavalet is your rainy day in Paris MVP. It’s criminally underrated and brimming with stories that bring the city’s layered history to life — from ancient Lutetia all the way to the storming of the Bastille and beyond.
The museum is housed in a pair of 16th-century mansions with charming courtyards, winding staircases, and epic window views that hit differently when rain is sliding down the glass. You’ll wander through immersive rooms decked in period décor, ogle Marie Antoinette’s personal items (yes, even her hairbrush), and marvel at Parisian shop signs from centuries past.
One of my favorite parts? The architectural models of Paris through the ages — they really help you visualize how the city has grown and transformed.
It’s fun to imagine living in Paris in the different eras on display. Personally I dig the dug-out canoes from some of Paris’ earlier residents, but give me the Belle Epoque and its art nouveau style if I’m setting up shop.
After you’ve soaked in the ambiance (and the history), pop open your umbrella and make the short stroll to Place des Vosges. While everyone else queues up at Carette for influencer-nip hot chocolate, slip into La Place Royale for a proper meal or Café Mulot for a calmer coffee moment. Both are better — and more Parisian — than the tourist-packed alternatives and you won’t get a selfie stick in the ribs
On a rainy day in Paris, few things feel more indulgent than tracing the city’s story in a museum like this, then watching the drizzle coat the arcades of the Marais in a silvery glow.
The moody Musée de Cluny puts on its best face on a rainy day in Paris
3. Musée Cluny: Medieval Mystique Enhanced by the Rain
If your aesthetic leans more moody and mysterious, Musée de Cluny (also known as the National Museum of the Middle Ages) is where you want to be when the skies are gray.
This place is dark academia heaven. It’s got soaring stone archways, secret-feeling corridors, and some of the oldest relics in Paris — including the ruins of the Roman baths from when Paris was still known as Lutetia. The vibe is pure candlelight and Gregorian chant, even if you’re just strolling through in sneakers and rain gear.
It’s not just the setting that’s incredible — the collection is legendary. Don’t miss the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries, six enormous, deeply symbolic works that represent the five senses… and a mysterious sixth. No one knows exactly what the final panel means. Is it love? Wisdom? Feminine power? A subtle medieval thirst trap? You be the judge.
Bonus fun fact: the museum also houses the heads of the Kings of Judah statues that once adorned Notre Dame — they were beheaded during the Revolution and buried in a backyard for nearly 200 years before being rediscovered in the 1970s. Very on-theme for a stormy, spooky afternoon.
A rainy day in Paris makes this museum even more immersive. The sound of rain lapping the windows and echoing off the ancient walls? Moody magic. Highly recommend.
Embrace a rainy day in Paris from the comfort of an inviting café
4. Café Hop Like It’s a Sport (and Paris is Your Gym)
Let’s be real — you’ll do a ton of walking in Paris. In good weather, that’s great. In the rain, it can get a little… soggy. But one of the best things to do on a rainy day in Paris is fully lean into the café lifestyle and make it a day of warm beverages, flaky pastries, and people-watching from behind misty windows.
Here’s how to do it: Pick a neighborhood with a solid café density and plan to hop from spot to spot, treating each drink like a milestone. Order a chocolat chaud or a glass of wine. Settle in under an awning or at the bar. Repeat.
Some of my favorite spots for a proper rainy day café crawl:
- Rue de Buci (Saint-Germain): Energetic and a bit touristy, but worth it for the vibe. Look for tucked-away bistros on side streets if you want more local flavor. Try Freddy’s for a glass of wine and small plates especially around lunch.
- Rue des Canettes: One of those streets that just feels like Paris. Lined with small cafes, bars, and brasseries where you can dip in and out with minimal umbrella deployment.
- Rue Cler (7th Arrondissement): A market street that’s low-key and covered in charm. Between the florists, bakeries, and sidewalk cafés, you could happily kill hours here watching the rain fall over cheese counters and bread displays. You might find yourself making more purchases than you imagined after the first wine stop.
- Rue Montorgueil (2nd Arrondissement): Vibrant, local, and great for hopping from bakeries to wine bars with a few foodie stops in between.
- Marché des Enfants Rouges (Le Marais): Technically a covered market, but still a dreamy stop for a grazing lunch or an early dinner under shelter with global flavors and Parisian flair.
Make it a whole afternoon. Don’t rush. Let the rhythm of the rain guide you. It’s an incredibly Parisian way to spend a rainy day — warm, relaxed, and just indulgent enough to feel like a vacation within a vacation.
Versailles’ royal elegance is a fine trip on a rainy day in Paris
5. Take a Day Trip — The rain is your invitation to explore Beyond Paris’ center
A rainy day in Paris doesn’t mean you’re stuck inside — it means you’ve got the perfect excuse to hop on the Metro, RER or SNCF train and see what lies just beyond the city limits. The trains are cozy, dry, and let’s be honest — there’s something wildly romantic about watching the countryside blur past as rain streaks down the window.
And if my instagram stats are to be believed, folks are wild about trains.
Here are a few day trips that shine in stormy weather:
- Versailles: Obvious? Sure. Still worth it? Absolutely. The Hall of Mirrors looks positively haunting (in the best way) under gray skies, and the moody light makes for killer photos. Skip the gardens if it’s pouring and spend more time inside the palace’s endless salons. NOTE: you will likely still need advance tickets, but the crowds should be more manageable.
- Fontainebleau: The underdog cousin of Versailles with just as much glam and fewer crowds. Louis XIV was so jealous of this chateau he had the owner imprisoned, and ransacked most of the fixtures and furnishings . Plus, you can take a quick walk through the surrounding forest if the rain lets up — or just admire it from the windows.
- Saint-Germain-en-Laye: A quick hop on the RER A gets you to this charming town full of old-world elegance. Visit the Château de Saint-Germain, now an archaeology museum, and take in the views of the Seine. It’s peaceful, unpretentious, and perfect for an impromptu rainy day escape.
- Giverny: Monet’s didn’t just paint his gardens in perfect weather, he captured them in all sorts of settings. Wander the pathways, see the water lilies through a gray filter, and picture yourself painting in the rain. Bonus: Fewer crowds and quieter moments.
Even just riding the train on a rainy day in Paris can feel like an adventure. Pack a scarf, grab an umbrella, and see where the rails take you.
Final Thought: A Rainy Day in Paris Is Never Wasted
It’s easy to look at the forecast and panic when the clouds roll in — but trust me, a rainy day in Paris is never a bad thing. It’s your chance to see the city from a different angle — softer, more introspective, and maybe even more beautiful.
With a good coat, the right shoes, and a mindset that welcomes detours, you’ll find yourself falling in love with the offbeat side of Paris. Whether you’re tracing history in a hushed museum, savoring a warm drink in a golden-lit café, or disappearing into a covered passage lined with treasures, you’ll be writing your own little Parisian story — one that wouldn’t be the same without the rain.
So next time the skies open up on your Paris trip, don’t mourn the blue skies. Embrace the gray. Take it slow. Savor the mood.
Because a rainy day in Paris? It might just be the most Parisian day of all.
