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Rainy day in Paris

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Rainy day in Paris

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Old Sep 11th, 2017, 09:14 AM
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Rainy day in Paris

It looks like it will be a very rainy day in Paris when we arrive on Wednesday after 12 pm. We are staying in the Bastille. Originally, I had planned to leisurely walk through the Marais, maybe grab lunch on Rue de Rosier, and just wander until we are very tired. Don't really want to take a long nap, want to adjust quickly to new time zone. Now I am thinking of taking the city bus around town to see some sights (my 6th visit but friend's first). I don't think we can tackle the Louvre that day. Maybe we could handle D'Orsay. Any other indoor activites that are not too strenuous would be welcome suggestions. Thank you kindly.
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Old Sep 11th, 2017, 09:22 AM
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go see the Dior exhibit.
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Old Sep 11th, 2017, 09:24 AM
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Catacombes ?
Shopping at Galeries Lafayette ?

Or just walking under the rain. I love to do it. We did it one full day in Tokyo and went back to hotel soaked.

Ps : la Bastille has been torn down you cannot be imprisoned there anymore. You sleep at Bastille now.
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Old Sep 11th, 2017, 09:32 AM
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The museum at the Orangerie is not usually too crowded. Afterward a short walk takes you to the covered arcade along the rue de Rivoli. Angelina is along this street or Laduree on the Rue Royale, either would cap off a lovely rainy afternoon in Paris.
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Old Sep 11th, 2017, 09:34 AM
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Walk the <i>passages</i>?
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Old Sep 11th, 2017, 09:37 AM
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When it is rainy . . . I pretty much do exactly what I was planning in the first place. Unless it was maybe a picnic. Most people don't melt in the rain. A small folding umbrella and a walk in Paris in the rain is lovely. I would not do any heavy sightseeing - especially in indoor/perhaps stuffy venues.

If it is REALLY nasty out, stop in a cafe, then maybe one of the smaller museums. But if it is just showers, take the walk you planned.
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Old Sep 11th, 2017, 10:15 AM
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I'm trying to figure out how you're staying in the Bastille, considering it no longer exists. That's pretty remarkable ...
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Old Sep 11th, 2017, 10:16 AM
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Since you think you may not fully enjoy things (I certainly would never schedule a major important museum visit my arrival day), why not go to one of the many excellent free museums that aren't such a big deal as the Louvre or Orsay? The Petit Palais museum is quite lovely and free, why not go there. It's not even that far from the Bastille area.

I don't know what city bus you are referring to, there isn't a sightseeing circuit bus that is a city bus. Sure, you can take any bus line as all of them generally go quite a ways, but I don't see why staring out the window of a bus at rainy streets and sidewalks would be that interesting. I don't consider sightseeing buses a rainy day option myself.

The main indoor activities I can think of are: museums, churches, and shopping and theater or movies. The shopping passages which may be of minor interest in themself are not really very big, but you could go to one of those to see if you haven't.

You only have an afternoon, anyway, I'd first have lunch, then go to a free museum, then do some errands if you have any, if you are a big shopper and intended to go to one of the big dept stores on your trip anyway, you could do that. I never do that myself, but I do like shopping in FNAC in the book and music section, I can easily spend an hour or more in there (the FNAC near Bastille doesn't have books as I recall, I stay near the one in MOntparnasse).
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Old Sep 11th, 2017, 10:33 AM
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Very curious about staying at the Bastille. How did you manage?

Gosh! Rain! Imagine!

What's wrong with doing whatever you were planning to do? Rain is just water; it doesn't merit changing plans unless it's a hurricane. Bundle up and head out.

I have no idea what you mean by "the city bus." There are dozens of them, but none of them will be any fun on a rainy day unless you like looking out a bus window onto rainy streets.

If you can't stand the thought of rain, go inside to any museum or gallery or café. Or go shopping. This is really a problem for you? I hope you don't have any worse "unexpected surprises." Jeesh!
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Old Sep 11th, 2017, 10:43 AM
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I second Christina's idea of visiting one of Paris's free museums. That's often what I do on my arrival jet lag day when I'm not up for a major museum visit.
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Old Sep 11th, 2017, 11:19 AM
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I think the city tour bus ride overview is a good one. What about the Seine boat rides (are those under cover)?

Or get an umbrella and do what you were planning to in the first place.
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Old Sep 11th, 2017, 11:26 AM
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If you mean the HOHO bus, suze, it's not a good idea. Expensive and very slow in traffic. A regular bus, and there are many, would just be a drag on a rainy day.
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Old Sep 11th, 2017, 11:43 AM
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Even if they weren't so slow and expansive, the only way to see much from a H-o-H-o is upstairs on the open top . . . which on a rainy day would be much worse than just taking the walk. From inside it would be just like any overcrowded city bus.
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Old Sep 11th, 2017, 11:50 AM
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<it's not a good idea>

So it wouldn't get them out of the rain yet give them an overview of the city?
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Old Sep 11th, 2017, 12:04 PM
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Out of the rain, yes, but how much can you see from foggy and rain splattered windows? For city viewing one really needs an open-top bus which on a rainy day is not a good idea.
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Old Sep 11th, 2017, 12:13 PM
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No, it'a horrible and expensive option on a rainy or any other day. You can't see squat from the lower level, and the upper level is a rain-splattered non-visible viewpoint.
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Old Sep 11th, 2017, 12:13 PM
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Debbielynn: I agree with the helpful responses that suggested visiting smaller museums. I enjoy the Musee Cluny and re-visit it whenever I'm in Paris; also, the Musee Nissan Comando is fascinating. Since the Cluny is more centrally located than Nissan Comando (which is near Parc Monceau), you might prefer that for your first day! Another little known museum is Jean Moulin/Musee du General Leclerc, which is near Montparnasse and provides a good, in-depth look at the Resistance efforts. I can understand that walking around in the rain might not be a great intro to Paris on your friend's first trip there, so very thoughtful of you to consider some other options. Enjoy!
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Old Sep 11th, 2017, 12:38 PM
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I would check out L'Orangerie. The huge Monet canvases are amazing to see. I also love the Petit Palais. But, I might just park it in a cafe with a glass or two of wine and just enjoy. Have a great trip.
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Old Sep 11th, 2017, 12:49 PM
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In Paris right now, and it's much cooler than I anticipated. The wind has been quite chilling the last few days, so make sure you bring a windbreaker.
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Old Sep 11th, 2017, 01:03 PM
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Well I'd take that nap then sit in a cafe and drink wine the rest of the day, but I don't think the OP needs my help to figure that out!
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