What to do when it rains in Paris (apart from the traditional cinema)

updated on November 10, 2023 at 11:10 am

August has only just begun, but it's already shaping up to be just as rainy as the end of July. It's hard to get a tan in Paris this summer, but that doesn't mean you have to stay at home! Here's our list of the best things to do when it's raining in the capital (and I promise, there's more to do than go to the cinema).

Paris in the rain

Summary

More of a bookworm or A Night at the Museum?
Take the time to enjoy the family
Discover some unusual activities
Treat yourself to a gourmet break

More of a bookworm or A Night at the Museum?

Another rainy day... Great! Now's your chance to take time out to visit the Louvre. Given that it will take you no less than 3 hours to tour the capital's most famous museum and catch a glimpse of the famous Mona Lisa painting, your afternoon activity will make you forget the rain. And if you're in a literary mood, head to one of Paris' s many libraries to spend the day with your nose in a book.

Practical information

📍 Locations: the Louvre, BPI - Centre Pompidou, BNF Richelieu, BNF François Mitterrand, Bibliothèque Sainte Geneviève, Bibliothèque Mazarine, Bibliothèque historique de la ville de Paris.

👛 Louvre prices: €15 (full price, book on site) or €17 (full price, book online) and free for under-26s.

Visit the Louvre

Take the time to enjoy the family

It's raining, and just the thing! A whole host of exhibitions are taking place in Paris this summer: head to Parix Expo Porte de Versailles to delight your children at the Harry Potter or Titanic exhibitions. There's also plenty for the whole family to enjoy at the Parc de la Villette, including the "The Labyrinth" exhibition, where you can discover the extraordinary world of film-maker Tim Burton. Want to learn more about the secrets of ancient Egypt? Then take a look at the exhibition "Ramses - The Gold of the Pharaohs".

And if you'd rather have some more sporting fun, head for the largest play and leisure area in Paris: "La Tête dans les Nuages", which offers everything from virtual reality experiences and 4D cinema to sporting challenges and access to video games. This one-of-a-kind leisure centre will delight the whole family, with a special area just for the little ones.

Practical information

📍 Exhibition locations: Paris Expo Porte de Versailles and Parc de la Villette

Harry Potter - The Exhibition :

⏰ Dates: from 21 April to 15 October 2023.
👛 Price: from €19 (dated ticket full price from 16 years old) or from €15 (dated ticket reduced price for children from 3 to 15 years old).

Titanic - The exhibition :

⏰ Dates: from 18 July to 18 September 2023.
Prices: from €19 (dated ticket for children aged 4 to 11) to €24 (dated ticket for full price) or €35 (open ticket).

Tim Burton - The Labyrinth :

⏰ Dates: 19 May to 20 August 2023.
👛 Price: €22 to €26 (full price), €19.80 to €23.40 (reduced price for students), €18 to €22 (children aged 4 to 14), free for children under 4.

Ramses - The Gold of the Pharaohs :

⏰ Dates: 7 April to 10 September 2023.
👛 Price: €20 to €24 (dated ticket) or €32 (open ticket).

La Tête dans les Nuages:

📍 Location: La Tête dans les Nuages
⏰ Opening times: Monday to Thursday 11am to 12.30am, Friday 11am to 2am, Saturday 10am to 2am and Sunday 10am to 12.30am.

The Harry Potter exhibition at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles

Discover some unusual activities

There's no shortage of unusual activities in Paris, even on a bad weather day in the middle of summer! Discover the catacombs of Paris, have fun with friends in an escape game, or take a breather with your partner or best friend at the Atelier des Lumières or at the magnificent immersive exhibition "In the heart of the wave" at the Korean Cultural Centre.

Practical information

Catacombs of Paris :

📍 Location: Paris Catacombs
⏰ Times: open every day from 9.45am to 8.30pm, closed on Sundays.
👛 Price: €29 (full price with audioguide included), €23 (reduced price with audioguide included), €10 (child price from 5 to 17 years old without audioguide) and free for children up to 4 years old.

Atelier des Lumières :

📍 Location: Atelier des Lumières
⏰ Opening times: open every day from 10am to 8pm (until 7pm on Sundays).
👛 Price: from €11.

Korean Cultural Centre:

📍 Location: Korean Cultural Centre
⏰ Dates: from 8 July to 30 August 2023.

L'Atelier des Lumières

Treat yourself to a gourmet break

Stop off at a coffee shop (Griffon, Bienvenue...) for a cosy break and to warm up with a nice hot chocolate, take a fun break with friends or family in a games bar or dine in an underwater restaurant at Ephemera or in the stars at the Stellar restaurant!

Practical information

📍 Locations: Café Griffon, Café Bienvenue, Restaurant Ephemera and Restaurant Stellar

Would you prefer coffee, hot chocolate or cappuccino$7

Where to sleep?

Booking.com

Hôtel du Petit Moulin

Travel back in time when you stay at this 4-star hotel with its unusually decorated rooms!

9 Fabulous

Book

by Faustine PEREZ | Staff Writer

Faustine Perez is a writer currently based in Paris. She is pursuing a Master's degree at SciencesPo Paris in Communications, Media and Creative Industries. She is an avid traveller and has been fortunate to explore the USA and the Caribbean.

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