Our last day in Paris didn’t start glamorous. The rain had been relentless since we arrived, our first hotel had been hit‑and‑miss, and our legs were feeling every kilometre we’d walked. But even in the downpour, Paris has this strange pull, a sense that something interesting is always waiting just around the corner.
And with the Louvre booked for the morning and the Eiffel Tower summit locked in for the afternoon, we weren’t wasting our final day.
The Louvre – Art, Statues & The Mona Lisa Crowd
Paris in the rain is more manageable than you’d think. There are plenty of undercover spots to duck into, and we were able to stop and buy a new umbrella after one of ours broke, but the rain jackets saved us.
I was disappointed not to be able to walk around the Louvre courtyard because of the weather, but there’s something magical about the glass pyramid in the rain. The whole place feels like it’s glowing.
Buy your tickets online, it’s timed entry, and once you’re inside the pyramid you just scan and head straight down the escalator. No queuing, no stress. They say you’d need a lifetime to see everything in the Louvre, so we were selective. We knew we wanted to get to the Mona Lisa, but I would’ve loved to see Napoleon III’s apartments… maybe next time.
But the Louvre is never just one painting. It’s endless:
- paintings
- sculptures
- Roman emperors carved in stone
- enormous canvases stretching across entire walls
I went hunting for Julius Caesar but only found Augustus. Close enough.
And then we reached the Mona Lisa room.
It’s not a quiet, contemplative moment. It’s a crowd event, people shoulder‑to‑shoulder, inching forward for their turn at the famous selfie. The painting is smaller than you expect, and you stand further back than you’d think, but still… it’s the Mona Lisa. You see it once in your life.
Losing the plot in the Louvre
Somewhere in the Roman section, the day finally caught up with me. I’d been quietly carrying the pressure of wanting everyone to have a good time. The rain, the crowds, the fatigue. For a moment, it all landed at once.
I stopped in front of a statue of Augustus, stared at him, and my wife said, “Do you want a photo?” I said, “Where’s Julius? I only want a selfie with Julius.”
That tiny, throwaway line was enough to snap me out of it. I felt lighter. She gave me that “you’re ridiculous” look, and we both laughed.
And standing there in front of a two‑thousand‑year‑old emperor, I reminded myself of something I always forget when I travel: you can’t force a good moment, you just have to let yourself enjoy the ones that show up.
I still regret not getting photos in the Roman section. I’m a massive Roman‑history fan, and I never found Julius.
Climbing the Eiffel Tower in the Storm
After the Louvre, we headed to the Eiffel Tower for our summit climb, something we’d been looking forward to since the moment we booked the trip.
You can buy tickets at the tower, but when we walked around the base on Day 2 in the sunshine, the ticket‑booth lines were extremely long. Even on the stormy day we climbed, the lines were still there, just shorter. Get your tickets online so you can walk straight in and join the lift queue.
You take a lift up one of the legs to the first floor. We grabbed a couple of souvenirs and then lined up for the lift to the summit.
The rain hadn’t eased. If anything, it had gotten worse.
Climbing the Eiffel Tower in a storm is one of the strangest, most surreal experiences I’ve ever had. On one hand, you’re telling yourself:
It’s made of steel. This thing is safe.
On the other hand:
Yeah… but it’s also super old.
The wind was fierce. The rain came in sideways. The whole structure swayed just enough to remind you that you’re standing on a giant iron skeleton in the middle of a storm.
But honestly? It was exciting. Ridiculously exciting.
By the time we reached the summit, we were soaked, freezing, and buzzing with adrenaline. Paris stretched out below us, the Arc de Triomphe, the Seine, the Louvre we’d just come from, all visible through the mist.
We watched the brave souls who stepped out onto the open roof in full plastic ponchos. They came back in completely wind‑blown and soaked from head to toe. We walked up to the door to look out, and the rain was basically coming in sideways at that altitude. That was enough for us. The glass‑window view would do just fine.
It was still incredible. A view you don’t get on a calm day.
It felt like standing on top of the world. Wild, windy, chaotic, unforgettable.
The storm didn’t ruin the moment. It made it feel earned.
A Final Walk Through Paris
Later that evening, I made one last solo trip out into Paris, and even though the rain was still torrential, it felt strangely peaceful. The streets were almost empty, the kind of quiet you only get when the weather scares everyone else indoors.
Walking alone with my jacket zipped up and my umbrella fighting the wind, Paris felt different. Softer. More intimate. The wet pavement reflected the café lights, and the buildings rose through the mist like silhouettes.
I wandered into a Franprix to grab snacks for the next morning’s train. It was oddly fun exploring the aisles, finding French fruit, pastries, and little treats we don’t get back home. I grabbed bananas and laughed when I saw they were from Costa Rica, in Australia, ours come from Coffs Harbour just up the road. A tiny reminder of how far from home we really were.
Walking back through those rain‑washed streets with a bag of snacks felt like the perfect quiet goodbye. A small, imperfect moment that somehow felt exactly right.
Next stop: Switzerland.
How You Can Do This Too
Visiting the Louvre
- Book a timed entry – avoids the worst queues.
- Arrive early for a calmer experience.
- Download the Louvre app – the map is essential.
- Choose 2–3 sections – don’t try to see everything.
- Wear comfortable shoes – it’s huge.
- Expect crowds at the Mona Lisa – it’s normal.
Visiting the Eiffel Tower & Summit
- Book summit tickets early – they sell out fast.
- Prepare for weather – the summit is exposed.
- Take the stairs to level 2 for the full experience.
- Bring a waterproof jacket – umbrellas aren’t allowed.
- Take your time – every level has a different view.
Champs‑Élysées & Arc de Triomphe (What We Missed)
We planned to walk the Champs‑Élysées and see the Arc de Triomphe, but the rain was so torrential we had to skip it.
If the weather is on your side:
- Walk the Champs‑Élysées – one of the world’s most iconic boulevards.
- Visit the Arc de Triomphe – you can climb to the top for incredible views.
- Time your visit for sunset – the city glows.
Ending Your Day in Paris
- Take a walk – the city feels different at night.
- Visit a local supermarket – it’s a fun cultural experience.
- Don’t fear the rain – Paris is beautiful in it.
- Let imperfect moments be part of the story – they often become the best memories.
More Paris, London & Europe Travel Articles
Paris Series:
- London to Paris on the Eurostar: A First‑Timer’s Story & Complete Guide
- Paris Day 2: A Rainy Start, a Seine River Cruise, and Paris Finally Opening Up
- Paris Day 3: Versailles, Paris Streets & The Unexpected Magic of a Laundromat
London Series:
- Our Real 5‑Day London Itinerary: What We Planned vs What Actually Happened
- St Paul’s Cathedral London: History, Blitz Survival, Tickets, Tube Guide & Our First-Day Experience
- Westminster Abbey: A First‑Timer’s Guide (Tickets, Tips & What to Expect)
- British Museum First‑Time Guide: A Morning in Bloomsbury
- London Eye: A First‑Time Visitor’s Experience Above the Thames
- Battersea Power Station: From Industrial Giant to London’s Newest Urban Playground
- A Perfect Day in South Kensington: Museums, Parks & Retro Gaming Nostalgia
- River Cruise Along the Thames: From Buckingham Palace Mornings to Bloomsbury Nights
- Our Final Day in London: Royal Dawn, Parliament Secrets, West End Magic, and the Feeling of Not Wanting to Leave
Europe Series:
