credit-hugodominguez-lebonbon

8 activities to do when it rains in Paris during summer

undefined undefined undefined 07h30

The Editor

© Hugo Dominguez, le Bonbon.

It's summer, and it's raining cats and dogs. No worries, it's the perfect time to kick back and tackle a bunch of activities you don't even think about when the sun is shining. So here are 8 fun things to do in Paris when the weather is gloomy. 


1. We visit the Parisian museums and their summer exhibitions

It’s almost a reflex: when it rains, we seek refuge in the museum. And among all the exhibitions to see this summer in Paris, one has completely captivated us: the immersive exhibition Euphoria, art is in the air, which is taking place at the Grand Palais until the start of the school year. Organized by the Balloon Museum – already behind Pop Air at La Villette in 2022 – this project fits perfectly into the summer programming of a monument that has just been beautifully renovated. On the agenda: a dozen aerial installations created by contemporary international artists over 4,000 m² dedicated to the inflatable universe, transforming the Grand Palais into a true playground.

Euphoria, art is in the air
Grand Palais
3, avenue du Général-Eisenhower – 8e
Until September 7, 2025
More info and tickets


2. Strolling Under the Covered Passages

We might dance in the rain, but let’s take a walk in the dry! When the clouds are out, it’s the perfect time to rediscover the covered passages of Paris, which have stood strong against the repeated challenges of Haussmann and his infernal bulldozer. Today, only a handful remain, accessible and more or less lively: galerie Vivienne, passage du Caire, passage Brady, passage des Panoramas, galerie Colbert, passage Choiseul, passage du Grand-Cerf… Some are truly gems of Parisian heritage!


3. At the theater to see a mind-blowing play

Between emotions and humor, Les Marchands d’étoiles – currently playing at the Le Splendid theater – takes us back to 1942, in Raymond Martineau's fabric shop. Along with his wife, daughter, and two employees, they are taking stock of the boutique. Theoretically, everything is fine, except that Paris is under occupation. The play tells a moving story right in the heart of World War II, for which actor Guillaume Bouchède won the 2025 Molière Award for best actor in a private theater.

The Star Merchants
The Splendid
48, rue du Faubourg-Saint-Martin – 10th
More info and tickets


4. Let's have a delightful French feast

It's rainy, and we need some comfort. So, off we go to settle in at one of our latest finds in the Opéra neighborhood: Minet Galant. A quintessentially Parisian restaurant, with a menu featuring a deliciously traditional cuisine, a lot of sincerity, and a sprinkle of modern twist. Here, you'll find terrines, duck foie gras, and homemade pâtés that are the pride of our regions, as well as classic dishes from the capital like cheese-topped onion soup, Burgundy snails, beef tartare with fries, and of course, Braised beef shoulder Bourguignon-style, topped off with a red fruit Fontainebleau for a sweet finish.

and sweet.

Le Minet Galant 
8, rue Monsigny – 2nd 
Phone: 01 40 20 42 16
More info and reservations


5. Let's hide away in a lovely independent cinema 

What could be better than spending our rainy days...How about a good old movie at the cinema? Head over to the Studio 28, a lovely cinema nestled in the heights of Montmartre. It's a place filled with nostalgia – it even made a cameo in Amélie – where giants of the seventh art grace the walls, from Abel Gance to Jean Cocteau and Luis Buñuel. The cherry on top? Before or after your film, you can enjoy the cozy little terrace to sip on some tea or splash down a beer.

Studio 28
10, rue Tholozé – 18e
More info and movies showing


6. Let's take a stroll in the Auteuil Greenhouses

Since parks aren't an option when it's pouring rain – and we still need to touch some grass in this city full of asphalt – it might be time to visit one of the most beautiful greenhouses in the capital. In the 16th district, the Auteuil Greenhouses house a garden worthy of the Costa Rica forests, where you can admire plants that are both rare and beautiful. All this under a charming aviary and palm house, the icing on the cake of this unique botanical garden.

Voir cette publication sur Instagram

Une publication partagée par jēra 🌿 (@jera_plantshop)

Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil
3, avenue de la Porte-d'Auteuil – 16th
More info


7. Let's relax and create something with our hands

If you feel restless even when the sky is gray, why not head to a creative workshop? You'll be safe from the elements, creating something with your hands while enjoying a peaceful moment—sounds lovely, right? The good news is there are plenty of spots offering creative workshops in Paris, but our personal favorite, L'Étagère Café, provides the perfect mix of a cozy coffee shop – complete with warm drinks and homemade pastries – and a creative crafting space. You can choose from making an object out of mineral resin, linocut printing, crafting a candle from vegetable wax, or even painting on terracotta pots. sp;

Étagère Café
51, rue Léon-Frot – 11e
From €15 to €70 depending on the chosen item (free drink starting from €35)
More info


8. Let's treat ourselves to a spa session

C&rsqIt's time to pamper yourself and take care of your body. Among the various places to recharge in Paris, Spa Clēmēns ranks high on the list. Nestled at the end of a small courtyard in the 6th, just a stone's throw from the banks of the Seine, this little haven of peace offers sauna, hammam, and other rejuvenating treatments, including floating massages. Weightless on the surface of the warm water, aided by a few floating bracelets and the support of your therapist, you’ll experience an incomparable moment of letting go, whether alone or as a duo. All of this takes place in a most impressive setting: a vaulted 18th-century cellar lit by candlelight.

Voir cette publication sur Instagram

Une publication partagée par Spa Clēmēns (@spa.clemens)

Spa Clēmēns
14, rue des Saints-Pères – 7th
More info