Things to see and to do in Paris

Paris when it rains

Enjoy a museum day
On a grey, rainy day, hit the museums. Many of the 'must-sees' are found around the Seine River - including the Louvre, the Orangerie (home to Monet's iconic series of waterlilies) and the Musée d'Orsay. To avoid excessive queuing, you can purchase advance tickets which allow you to skip inevitable queues, or you can head to the prominent museums early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid peak times. Remember that on the first Sunday of every month access to many museums is free of charge, while the Louvre recently unveiled its late-night opening on the first Saturday night of each month. Museums will often have late-night opening, so check their official websites to find the best time to visit for your schedule.

Beat the tourist crowd

Lesser-known museums in Paris not only have the benefit of being less popular with tourists but are full of stunning collections and exhibits overlooked by short-term visitors to the city, making for shorter queues and a more relaxing experience. Consider the Quai Branly Museum for its fascinating collection celebrating the indigenous non-European cultures; the Palais de Tokyo for cutting-edge contemporary art just a few minutes from the Eiffel Tower; the gorgeous Petit Palais for free entry and stunning belle époque architecture; the sculptural collection and gardens of the beautiful Musée Rodin; the dream-like Musée de la Vie Romantique (Museum of Romantic Life); or the Maison Victor Hugo - the famous writer's former residence on the elegant Place des Vosges. Also consider the Pantheon, the enormous domed building in the Latin Quarter that marks the final resting place of the significant figures of French history - and an option often overlooked by tourists despite its awe-inspiring beauty. Another icon of the city, Notre Dame Cathedral offers free entry to its lofty interiors, where you will find glittering rose windows and astonishing gothic architecture.

Hit the shops

There is much more to shopping in Paris than the Galeries Lafayette and upmarket Bon Marché. For a department store where local Parisians really do shop, try out the BHV Marais on the busy rue de Rivoli, before exploring the eclectic mix of stores available in the Marais neighbourhood - from vintage finds and kilo stores to the top French and international labels. Large shopping malls in Paris include the vast Les Halles, an underground mall with all the major stores, as well as Beaugrenelle, a lovely mall by the Seine.

Take in a classic movie

For a cultural fix of a different kind, spend a rainy day in Paris in one of the little cinemas of Paris, many of which you will find screening classic movies in the beautiful Latin Quarter. There is also the historic REX Cinema - home to many premieres and some of the biggest screens in Europe - and the lovely Cinema Louxor, decorated in stunning Egyptian-inspired 1920s style with a rooftop bar!

Escape the rain

The elegant covered passages of Paris were historically built as a way to escape the rain and remain every bit as useful today as they were then! Lined with boutiques, they offer the perfect hideaway from the rain - check out the Galerie Vivienne, Passage des Panoramas and Passage Joffrin for some of the loveliest options.

Paris in the sun

Explore on foot

Paris in the rain is a thing of beauty all by itself, but in the sun, the city really comes into its own. The city itself is relatively accessible on foot, so unless you're travelling a long way you can explore vast tracts of the city without ever having to disappear onto public transport. Some of the loveliest neighbourhoods to explore on foot include Montmartre, with its village feel and picturesque views; the bustling Marais with its mixture of trendy labels, beautiful streets, bars and restaurants; and the lovely 7th arrondissement - around Saint Dominique and the classic rue Cler. Then there is the Canal Saint Martin - perfect on sunny Sundays when roads are closed to traffic for most of the day, creating a buzzy atmosphere as people stroll along the waterside.

Go Green

You can discover Paris' green spaces at one of the many municipal parks - from the Tuileries Gardens and Jardin du Luxembourg to the lofty Buttes Chaumont park. Strolling along Paris' famous bridges or "ponts" is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon, and from here you can wander down to the peaceful banks of the Seine - now closed to traffic - making for a true escape from the bustle of the city above. To become instantly Parisian, prepare a picnic with a bottle of wine and enjoy a picnic in the sunshine on the banks of the river. In the summer, this city-wide soirée goes on long into the night.

Take in the view

For an unbeatable view, the Trocadero - a large plaza and park on the Right Bank of the Seine - offers an unforgettable Eiffel Tower view. Tourists flock here, but that doesn't mean the view is any less inspiring! Rooftop bars are becoming a widespread phenomenon in the city and make for a fabulous spot on a sunny evening. Check out the bar on top of the BHV department store by the Perchoir, or the original address in Menilmontant, as well other hotspots including the top of Printemps Haussmann, or The Shed - a popular option perched on top of the Hotel Grands Boulevards.