What to do in Paris when it rains ?

For months you’ve been dreaming of lying on the grass and admiring the view of the Eiffel Tower, of eating ice cream while you travel the Seine in a Bateau Mouche, of wandering in the Luxembourg Gardens dressed in your summer clothes… But, alas, the weather has put a dampener on your plans – horror of horrors, it’s raining! So, what can you do? For those of you who remain unconvinced by the weatherman’s simple « it’ll stop soon », here are a few ideas to keep you busy during the unseasonal showers.

SHOPPING: The neighbourhood certainly isn’t short of possibilities, what with the rue de Rennes, Montparnasse and Saint-Germain. A particular favourite of ours is le Bon Marché, the first Parisian department store, founded in 1838 and described by Emile Zola as « a cathedral of commerce for a congregation of customers ».

SWIMMING: if you’re wet already, why not go for a swim? And if it’s still raining when night falls, it’s worth knowing that some Parisian swimming pools are open late.

BRUNCH / AFTERNOON TEA: The neighbourhood is full of Parisian salons de thé. We recommend the Mariage Frères salons (the closest to the Aviatic hotel are at 7 rue du Cardinal Lemoine, 75005 and 13 rue des Grands Augustins, 75006) for a cup of tea, or the iconic Ladurée for patisseries (21 rue Bonaparte, 75006), and, bien sûr, la Maison du Chocolat for chocolate lovers.

GO FOR A STROLL…BY BUS! Awaken your inner poet. Take one bus, then another, listening to Gymnopédies by Erik Satie, and going wherever takes your fancy...

CINEMA: You’d prefer to see Gene Kelly on the big screen rather than imitate him yourself? Head straight for the cinema! The neighbourhood is packed with possibilities, including both larger chains showing the latest releases in English with French subtitles (UGC Montparnasse, MK2 Odéon) as well as local cinemas with a more eclectic, art house programme, such as l’Arlequin, les 3 Luxembourg, Action Christine, le Lucernaire, le Saint-Germain-des-Prés and le Saint-André-des-Arts. You’re not spoilt for choice!

THE CATACOMBS: It’s raining above ground? Never mind! Take refuge underground and visit the mysterious and spooky Paris Catacombs.
And if, despite all these possibilities, you still feel like doing nothing and the very idea of leaving the hotel makes you feel lazy, then why not just stay in bed? After all, holidays are also for relaxing, aren’t they?