Paris in the rain: arcades, museums and long lunches
A plan for rainy weather, when you want to feel Paris without endless walks under an umbrella.
How to wait out the rain without canceling the walk
Paris does not necessarily become less interesting because of rain. It is better to skip long hops between sights and spend the day in one district, combining museums, covered galleries and cafes.
A good combo is a museum in the morning, then a walk through historic arcades and a long lunch, after which you can keep exploring the city without feeling the day is wasted.
Instead of viewpoints
In gloomy weather it is not always worth climbing the Eiffel Tower or going to rooftop viewpoints. It is much nicer to spend a few hours at the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay or the Centre Pompidou, then walk through the covered arcades of Galerie Vivienne and Passage des Panoramas.
Such places let you feel old Paris even when it is raining outside.
Where to make a long stop
French bistros and small coffee shops are part of the city's culture. If the weather turns bad, do not look for a new place every half hour. It is much nicer to spend an hour or two over a late lunch or coffee, watching city life through large windows.