Paris in the rain and snow
 

Hey, all...

We're in Paris and though we couldn't be happier, it looks like the front coming in could bring cold, snowy, wet, wet weather.

We have a couple of indoor activities planned, but don't want to spend all our time in museums. So other than visiting museums, what do you suggest to do that's indoors and fun?

On the radar: Catacombes, Galeries Layfayette, a couple of museums (mostly impressionists and modern. We currently feel like our Louve compartment is "full.")

So please, give us your suggestions! We are planning to just tough it out, but when it becomes too miserable to walk about, a nice, welcoming, toasty option would be great.

The last time I was in Paris was January 2005 so I can relate to crummy weather. But who cares,
give me a rainy, cold day in Paris over a sunny, nice day at home. :-)

There's always a day trip to Versailles. If the weather is bad you might not walk around the grounds, but the palace itself is still magnificent. The boat rides on the Seine are still nice even if you are not outside on the deck. I don't recommend the dinner cruise as it's overpriced and not the best meal in town. But I do recommend a cruise in both the daytime and night and once again, you can stay downstairs and enjoy the view from inside the boat. And don't forget Notre Dame, St. Chappelle, and the Sacre Couer.

How silly of me, I almost forgot the Conciergerie, another don't-miss.

I'm glad you posted about the weather as I sit here trying to figure out if I'll zip over to Paris in a couple of weeks.

I just had to cancel my plane ticket and apartment reservation to Bangkok, where I usually spend Dec/Jan, due to the protestors surrounding the airport. I need to be assured that I can get home and back to work on time, so I can't chance it. So, I have a VERY short time to plan another vacation.

Since Paris is like home-away-from-home, I thought it would be very easy to plan. But, now that I hear of this weather situation, I think I'll get back on Expedia and head from L.A. to Singapore. Singapore is lovely in winter! Smiles. Have a great trip. Happy Travels!

Contact the Hotel de Ville (City Hall) and schedule a visit there.

Did you see St. Chapelle?

I don't recommend Ste Chappelle in overcast weather. You want sunlight to see the stained glass.

Nor would I recommend a daytrip to Versailles, where enjoying the fountains and gardens can't be done in snow.

I would recommend the covered passages of Paris:

http://secret-paris.blogspot.com/200...fect-idea.html

http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...ssages_of.html

I also recommend the Jardin des Plantes, and especially it's great glass greenhouse for toasty plant study in a 19th century setting. You'll find other curiousities in the complex to keep you amused.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jardin_des_Plantes

I'm not a fan of the catacombs. I find them rather boring.

Another idea would be a hot chocolate tour of Paris. Angelika's is popular. Ladurie has probably got something special, or just try the tea. But I prefer the chocolat chaud ancienne at Le Flore en Ile, just over the bridge from Notre Dame on the Ile St Louis.

Also try combining lunch with a tour of the museum Jacques-Mart Andres. And although you say you are Louvre'd out, it can be exquisite to hole yourself up in the ceramics collection of the Louvre, with no time pressure, and admire the Palissey ware and the Renaissance ceramics from Italy. You'll have the place to yourself.

By the way, I live in Liguria, Italy, where it is howling a gale outside. Wine helps. :)

Sometimes we take a break and go to the movies. (look for the "VO" version originale if you want an American-made flick).

When it rains, explore the passages - see http://tinyurl.com/5e2dne

Go see what's on at both the old original and the new site of the Bibliothèque Nationale.

The new building "Site François Mittérand" is on the spiffy Métro line 14, on the Quai François Mauriac, also line 6 (stop Quai de la Gare) and RER C and bus lines 89, 62, 64, 132, 325. There is always something of interest on exhibit, it's not just a library.

The stately old location is just up from the Louvre at 85 rue de Richelieu, either come down from Line 3 (Métro stop Bourse), or walk up from Lines 1 et 7 (Palais-Royal), or from 7 and 14 (Pyramides).

There are four other sites - never a dull moment.

For a museum with a difference, see if the tour of the sewers of Paris interests you - called Le Musée des Egouts, fascinating (and clean...). It is at 93 Quay d'Orsay. near the underpass where Princess Diana died, not far from the flame sculpture that the public has sort of turned into a shrine to her at the Alma-Marceau Métro station, also accessed by RER (stop Pont de l'Alma).

Go to the Carnavalet - it's free and très interressante. My son and I spent the better part of a day there in June, and he went back on his own just a few months later.

Bundle up and go for a walk in Cimetiere Pere Lachaise - memorable in falling snow!

Museums - have you visited the Cluny, the museum of medieval art? You can spend hours there - looking at the 'books of hours,' among the many treasures.

And here's another vote for Jardin des Plantes - the avenues will have received their autumn trim by now and the severe shapes are stark and stunning against the sky.

Go and discover the Cent Quatre -- the latest artistic site in Paris.

www.104.fr

You could see if you could get in for a guided tour at the Museum of Fairground Art:

http://www.pavillons-de-bercy.com/EN...round-art.html

Here's my experience of it:

http://autolycus-london.blogspot.com...-surprise.html

Patrick, the website link you provided needs some tricking to work, but when I finally got it to open, it is marvelous! I would think all of the pavillions would be just fascinating on a snowy day, without or without a guided tour. Next time I'm in Paris, I'm going myself.

Guenmai,

Make a quick change to Paris, and join us!

We are arriving on Dec. 4th and departing on Dec. 15th.

a bientot...

Joan

"Do" the Passages. Great indoor activity.
And find a covered outdoor cafe with heat "lamps".

Yes, visiting the passages is one of the best possible bad weather activities -- even Passage du Caire in the garment district is interesting on a working day.

And speaking of the two most famous passages of Paris on the Grands Boulevards -- Passage Jouffroy and Passage des Panoramas -- you should also visit the Musée Grévin (the wax museum), which is located there. In the summer it is much too crowded, but right now is perfect.

Bundle up and enjoy!
I would give anything to go back right now.
Guenmai--I still owe you that trip report.

Thanks all for the fantastic suggestions. Turns out the weather today was not too bad at all. A light mist at times, about a 1/2 hour of actual rain and the rest was cloudy but warm enough to walk for miles. (Which we did.) Perhaps we're taking the reports too literally. (When we get snow in Colorado, for example, we get snow!)

Tomorrow is supposed to be the "worst day" and the passages will definitely be on the list!

We tried to walk through the Jardin du Luxembourg, but the entire park was locked up. About 5 p.m. on a Sunday. Anyone know why that might be? It is it closed for the season? (there were padlocks on all the gates).

Cheers from Paris!

Public gardens in Paris close at sun down.

If it is raining or snowing be sure to look for photo ops!! Reflections, slow shutter speeds, etc.