It’s la canicule! Seemingly every summer in Paris a heatwave hits, sometimes for a few days, sometimes sticking around for a week or two.
If you happen to be in the city as the temperatures spike, here are our tips to help you keep cool like a true Parisian.
How to beat the heat in Paris:
- Head to a park
- Go for a swim
- Visit a museum
- Step into a church
- Enjoy a refreshing treat
- General heatwave health tips
Head to a Park
On those days when every degree counts, the parks are some of the coolest places in Paris, with temperatures staying at least 1°C – 2°C cooler in the parks than elsewhere in the city. Wondering which to hit? These are our favorite parks in Paris.
Some of the city’s parks even have in-ground fountains for children (and adults) to play in, including the Parc Martin Luther King, the Jardin d’Acclimatation, and the Parc André Citröen.
Go for a Swim
Paris has 40 public swimming pools, some indoors, some outdoors, and some which will take you back in time. We’ve made a list of the 10 best pools in Paris if you’re looking to get the most out of your Parisian piscine experience.
A few things to know before you go to a pool in Paris — be sure to check the pool’s opening hours before you go, entry typically costs about 3€, and you’re nearly always required to wear a swim cap.
Visit a Museum
Along with the supermarkets, the museums are some of the few places with air conditioning in Paris, but unlike the grocery store, at a museum you can take advantage of the AC and get some Culture!
Most of the city’s musées are climate-controlled to protect the artworks, including the Louvre, the Centre Pompidou, the Musée Picasso, and the Musée de l’Orangerie.
And if you don’t mind being surrounded by skeletons, the Paris Catacombs stay nice and cool all year round.
Step into a Church
The thick stone walls of the many churches and cathedrals in Paris offer spiritual sanctuary as well as shelter from the heat. You can spend time admiring the impressive architecture, amazing artworks, and beautiful stained glass windows, all while keeping cool.
A few of our favorite churches to visit in Paris? Saint-Paul, Eglise Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Saint-Eustache, and more. Not to mention Notre Dame de Paris which reopened in December 2024.
Enjoy a Refreshing Treat
This is Paris after all, so you know you can always quench your thirst with a cold drink on a shaded café terrasse or enjoy an ice cream to help you cool off.
Choose a Paris Hotel with Air Conditioning
Not all hotels in Paris have air conditioning, but it is becoming more and more common. And it’s worth mentioning that all four- and five-star hotels are required to have AC, so those are always a safe bet if your budget permits.
Check out this list of hotels in Paris with air conditioning so you can cool off at the end of a long day of exploring and sleep soundly, no matter how high the temperature rises.
General Heatwave Health Tips
With rising temperatures come increased health risks, especially for children, the elderly, and those with medical conditions. So, in addition to these Paris-specific plans, we’re reminding you of the basic steps to take in the event of a heat wave.
Remember to drink water regularly and avoid alcohol (oui, that includes wine) as well as drinks that are too sweet or foods that are fatty (and yes, we even mean le fromage).
Splash yourself with cool water throughout the day, and avoid strenuous physical activities, especially during the hottest hours of the day (usually 3-5pm). Also, don’t forget to apply (and re-apply) sunscreen, and stay in touch with your friends and family.
Wishing you bon courage for coping with the canicule!
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