Things to Do in Paris When You're Cold

With Paris' frequent unseasonably cool temperatures (e.g., 49 degrees on May 12), it may be necessary to find some indoor activities to keep the chills at bay, especially if you neglected to pack sweaters and a heavier coat. Normally you could go to a museum, but if your museum pass has expired, you'll need to be more creative. Here are some suggestions:

1) Ride the metro to the Place de l'Opéra.
2) Marvel at the spruced-up facade of the Opéra Garnier before ducking into a coffee shop:


3) Stop in at one of the grands magasins (department stores) that you've avoided in the past (Au Printemps and Galeries Lafayette are directly behind the Opéra).
4) Shop for something frivolous, e.g. nail polish, and practice your French with a friendly clerk who will help you find just the right shade.
5) Visit the Fragonard Perfume Museum (free entry!) and admire all the ancient atomizers and toiletry kits on display.
6) Do something unbelievably touristy and buy admission to Paris-Story, a 45-minute multimedia show covering 2,000 years of Paris history, art, and architecture. Forget the English headphones and listen instead to the enchanting female voice of "Paris" as she narrates, with a few side comments from Victor Hugo.