Rain is a common occurrence in Paris and often unexpected. It can be sunny one moment and then the sky will open up and you will be drenched! But there are plenty of things to do in Paris in the rain, and the city takes on a kind of beautiful melancholy.

Idea 1: KB Cafeshop + drawing exercise

 

 

 

 

 

Situated in the ever more hipster South Pigalle, KB Cafeshop boasts great coffee, sandwiches and homemade desserts. The close quarters of the tables provides a great opportunity for eavesdropping and observing fellow patrons.

Creativity Break: “blind” drawing

While enjoying your coffee, start people watching. Pick out someone who looks interesting and as discreetly as possible draw a portrait of them. Important: DO NOT look down at the paper. Keep your eyes on your subject until you have finished. (we found it a little awkward to stare at random strangers, so feel free to look around while drawing, just don’t look down!) Hopefully you’ll be pleasantly surprised by your Picasso-esque results.

Nora:

Annie:

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Idea 2: Used Book Market Browsing + Parc Georges Brassens

If you’re in the mood for more of a rainy day adventure, trek down to the 15th and check out the Marché du Livre ancien et d’occasion. Open on Saturdays and Sundays, the book market is a treasure trove of beautifully embellished book spines, original editions, and livres de poche at much better prices than you’ll find at Gibert Jeune. If you’re the kind of person who loves ogling book covers and taking in that old book smell, plan to spend a solid hour or two browsing through its aisles. Plus, the fact that it’s a covered market will leave you nice and dry. Head over to Parc Georges Brassens afterwards, if you don’t mind getting a little wet, there is a clock tower, pond and benches for you to take in the rainy day.

Annie:

Nora: