What to do in Paris when it rains (and you’re broke)?

You arrive in Paris, drop your bags at the International Youth Hostel, ready to explore… and then: rain. And your budget is tight. Don’t panic: Paris has no shortage of great cheap (or free) deals to make your rainy day as beautiful as any other. Here are our best ideas for enjoying Paris when the sky is gloomy and your wallet is on a tight diet.

🎨 1. Take refuge in a free museum

👉 For EU residents under 26, most national museums are free! Even in the rain, you can learn something new without breaking the bank.

• Musée Carnavalet (Marais) – History of Paris, magnificent setting, free admission for all.
• Petit Palais (Champs-Élysées) – Classical works + sheltered interior garden.
• Maison de Victor Hugo (Place des Vosges) – A period apartment and fine literature.

💡 Tip: Avoid giant museums like the Louvre when it’s very busy (or go early on a weekday).

📚 2. Browse in a charming bookstore

When it’s raining, there’s nothing better than sheltering in the warmth with a good book. In Paris, some bookstores are truly worth a visit:

• Shakespeare & Company – English, bohemian, sofas, and cats.
• Yvon Lambert Bookstore (Marais) – For art and photography fans.
• Artazart Bookstore (Canal Saint-Martin) – Graphics, design, chilled atmosphere.

And you don’t have to buy, eh? You can also just browse in the dry. 😏

🧺 3. Hunt for bargains in thrift stores and recycling centers

Thrift stores are a bit like fashion museums… but better, because you can walk away with a vintage piece for €3.

• Guerrisol, Free’P’Star, Emmaüs Alternatives – guaranteed low prices.
• Ressourcerie créative (Montreuil) – salvage, decor, unusual objects.
• It’s covered, it’s fun, and who knows? You might find your new favorite jacket.

🍲 4. Eat hot food in a cheap cafeteria

When it rains, your stomach craves comfort food. And there are plenty of restaurants where you can eat well for less than €10.

• Parisian broths: Bouillon Pigalle or Chartier (dishes between €2 and €10)
• World food halls: couscous, pho, ramen in the 10th, 11th, or Belleville arrondissements
• Covered food courts: Ground Control (12th), Le Hasard Ludique (18th)
• And you can often stay there for a long time without getting kicked out.

🚇 5. Explore the covered passages

These ancient galleries are hidden treasures. No need to buy, just admire.

• Passage des Panoramas – Retro boutiques, old-fashioned window displays
• Galerie Vivienne – Ultra chic, glass roof, 19th-century ambiance
• Passage Jouffroy – Bookstores, miniature museums, and quiet cafes

Bonus: You’re dry the whole way.

🎥 6. Treat yourself to a movie (on a budget)

Rain = perfect excuse to see a movie.

• Cinémathèque Française (€4 youth admission)
• Forum des Images (rare films, €5.50 admission with the Youth Paris Pass)
• UGC or MK2 with student rates/promotional days (and sometimes in the original version to practice your English)

🏠 7. Stay at the AIJ… and enjoy it!

If you’re too wet, too tired, or just in a cozy mood, stay at the hostel!

• Chat with other travelers
• Plan your next trip
• Watch a series or read in the common areas
• Take a nap, because yes, that’s what traveling is all about 💤

In summary: Rain ≠ boredom in Paris

Even with a limited budget and unpredictable weather, you can:

• Educate yourself
• Bargain hunt
• Have a hot meal
• Take a walk under cover
• Enjoy the unique atmosphere of Paris in the rain

And all this, just a stone’s throw from AIJ Paris, your base camp in the 11th arrondissement.