Although we do really love Paris all year round, it can get pretty grey and drizzly in late autumn and winter. You can definitely still explore the city in this weather, but you might need an occasional indoor break to warm up. There are lots of museums in the city and tons of fantastic cafés, however, this can quickly get expensive and take up a lot of time. To help you enjoy exploring the city regardless of the weather, we’ve come up with this list of great places to warm up in Paris – all of which have the bonus of being completely free.
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(WA = Wheelchair Accessible)
Image Courtesy of Collège des Bernardins
Collège des Bernardins
If you’re walking around the Latin Quarter, you could try tracking down one of the area’s best secret sites which is also an excellent place to warm up. On a small side street south of Ile St-Louis and not far from Notre Dame is a former Medieval college. Today its Gothic-style hall has been beautifully restored and there’s no admission charge to enter it. You can simply take a seat and warm up for a bit while admiring its pretty architecture or it also has a small café that’s quite affordable.
Collège des Bernardins | Latin Quarter | WA
Image Courtesy of The Abbey Bookshop via Facebook
The Abbey Bookshop
Bookstores are fantastic places to warm up in Paris, but the most famous English bookstore, Shakespeare and Company, can have long lines to get in and then be a bit crowded inside. A handy alternative is this other Anglophone bookstore that’s just a short walk away. Packed to the brim with piles of new and used books (which sometimes topple over), the shop has a cozy and inviting feeling. Another advantage, especially in colder months, is the FREE cup of coffee they offer while you’re browsing.
The Abbey Bookshop | Latin Quarter
Saint Germain des Prés Church
One of the best places to keep warm on cold or rainy days in Paris is its hundreds of historic churches. While all churches (except Sainte-Chapelle) are free here, we have a soft spot for this church that’s conveniently located in the heart of the Left Bank. The oldest church in Paris, while Saint-Germain-des-Près exterior looks all austere, its interiors are surprisingly really beautiful and colourful. These were repainted in the mid-1800s and feature biblical scenes and saints. Even if you’re not religious, it’s a great place to warm up and it’s also close to other sites you might want to visit like the Musée d’Orsay and the Luxembourg Gardens.
Saint Germain des Prés Church | Saint-Germain | WA
Image Courtesy of Le Petit Palais via Facebook
Le Petit Palais
If you’re thinking of what to do in Paris in winter, visiting some of the city’s amazing museums really does make sense. If you’re coming to Paris in late autumn or winter, you might want to consider getting the Paris Pass (we tell you how to figure out if it’s worth you getting it here), or instead add a few of the city’s free museums to your itinerary. This museum which houses the art collections of the city of Paris is a great option. It has art from ancient Roman times to the early 20th century so it’s sort of like a mini Louvre… but for free. It’s also among the best places to warm up in Paris if you’re visiting the nearby Champs Elysées or Arc de Triomphe.
Le Petit Palais | Champs-Elysées | WA
Image Courtesy of Maison Victor Hugo
Maison Victor Hugo
Another amazing museum that offers free admission is the former apartment of renowned writer Victor Hugo. The museum displays an array of personal items and memorabilia linked to the much-loved author of Les Misérables and the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Overlooks the gorgeous Place des Vosges and with a super cozy feel, it’s perfect for a quick break while strolling in the Marais.
Maison Victor Hugo | Le Marais | WA
Image Courtesy of La Samaritaine
La Samaritaine
Another thing that might come to mind when thinking about what to do in Paris when it’s cold is shopping. This is certainly NOT the most affordable thing to do in Paris, unless you’re browsing the city’s top vintage and thrift stores, but you don’t actually have to spend money to visit this stunning department store. The Samaritaine has a great location right near the Ile-de-la-Cité and the Louvre, it has some absolutely spectacular Art Nouveau decoration. You can find this in the center of the building closer to the Seine, and be sure to take the escalator (or the beautiful iron stairs) all the way to the top so you can see the lovely painting work up close. The Samaritaine is less busy than Galeries Lafayette AND has free bathrooms, so it makes for an extra great stop.
La Samaritaine | Louvre | WA
Image Courtesy of Passage Jouffroy
Passage Jouffroy
The city’s historic passageways are definitely among the best places to warm up in Paris. This one off of Les Grands Boulevards is ideal for a rainy day for a few reasons. It has some really cute little boutiques, including stores selling vintage posters, books and art, which are ideal for browsing. It also has a charming tea salon in case you’d like to linger here a little longer over a hot beverage or snack.
Passage Jouffroy | Grands-Boulevards | WA
The Oval Room at the National Library
If you’re looking to admire a historic building while staying warm in Paris, then pop inside the Richelieu branch of the National Library. Found near the Palais Royal and the Opera district, it has an AMAZING oval reading room, and it’s completely free to visit. Since it has some comfy seats, you can either settle down with your own book, peruse its open selection, or just relax while gazing up at its pretty domed ceiling.
The Oval Room at the National Library | Palais-Royal | WA
After reading our article on places to warm up in Paris, are you looking for other things to do in Paris in the cooler months? Read these articles next:
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