How to Survive a Heatwave in Paris: My Local Tips for Staying Cool
Are you wondering how to successfully survive a heatwave in Paris and stay safe during your travels?
Summer is upon us in Paris, but the scorching heat is beyond what any of us expected – with the most recent heatwave in Paris being declared one of the deadliest of them all, with 48 deaths so far. Summer 2026’s Paris heatwaves are even breaking the records for the hottest day ever in Paris, with Wednesday, June 25th 2026 topping out at 41°C (105°F).
As I write this from my old Parisian apartment, where I live on the top floor and am currently baking like a cookie, I’ve got to say – even with two fans running in each room: I am burning up. And not in the way the Jonas Brothers intended.
Eiffel Tower on sunny hot day; May 2026
Paris is no stranger to heatwaves. In the past five years since I’ve lived here, I’ve seen more than one Paris heatwave – but 2026 has been exceptional as we’re barely into summer, and we’ve already had two: one that started in late May 2026, and the current Paris heatwave in late June 2026 (started June 22nd, 2026 and set to end June 28th 2026).
In all my years being here, I have never seen so many heatwaves in Paris in such a short amount of time. It’s becoming clear that alongside climate change, the City of Paris has its summer heat response plan in full effect to help residents and tourists alike keep cool in the French capital.
As an American who was born-and-bread on air conditioning, I’m going to share with you my local guide to stay cool in Paris during a heatwave – including answering popular questions like places with air conditioning in Paris, whether or not you should cancel your trip, and other cultural things to keep in mind.
Why Are Heatwaves So Bad in Paris?
Heatwaves in Paris are truly like no other. First off, the French don’t believe in air conditioning – meaning it’s not the norm in the majority of places across the country, and even in its capital city of Paris.
Second of all, the old Haussmann style buildings are simply not cut out for this level of heart. We already deal with high moisture levels and excessive mold in our apartments, due to their old age. With this minimal airflow, hot air tends to sit – which often makes homes, shops, and schools feel even warmer than it does outside.
As an American, I went through a culture shock when I learned from my colleagues that many French schools will even close down during a heatwave in Paris – something that never happens in the U.S. as air conditioning in public places is the norm.
In turn, heatwaves in Pars usually cause a lot of chaos. Employees bring their kids to work, people take desperate measures to stay cool (like jumping into the seine), and fans and air conditioning units sell out in an instant.
This makes preparing for a Parisian heatwave in advance all the more important for locals and tourists alike.
Jardin du Luxembourg on extremely hot day in Paris; August 2024
🌡️🧊 How to Prepare for a Heatwave in Paris 🧊🌡️
🪭 Buy a Fan Early
If you're staying in Paris for more than a few days, buy a fan or portable air conditioning unit before the heatwave arrives. They sell out incredibly quickly once temperatures begin climbing.
🪟 Close the Blinds
Before leaving your hotel or apartment each morning, close the blinds or blackout curtains. It makes a huge difference and helps prevent you from returning to a room that's been baking in the sun all day.
💧 Stock Up on Water
Don't wait until temperatures peak. I usually see local grocery stores run low on bottled water during Paris heatwaves, so it's worth buying a few bottles ahead of time.
🚇 Plan Metro Times Carefully
The last thing you want is to faint on an older metro line with no air conditioning like Lines 3, 6, 7, 8, or 10. Try riding before 8:00 AM (avoiding the 8:30–9:30 rush) and before 5:30 PM to avoid the busy 6:00–8:00 PM commute home.
Best Places to Stay Cool in Paris During a Heatwave (2026 Updated)
Lots of places online will rave about the endless amount of air conditioned spaces open to the public in Paris: like libraries, gardens, and fountains – but the reality is, there are very little places with actual A/C in the city.
Trust me, you don’t want to be in a park or garden in Paris during a heatwave unless it’s at night – as it usually cools off a little bit.
However, that being said, there are lots of other places to find some relief during a heatwave in Paris – and I’m going to share all of the best ones that I know as a local in Paris who has now been through her fair share of heatwaves here.
Cafés with Misting Systems
There are a couple of cafés near the Eiffel Tower around Rue Saint-Dominique and Avenue de la Bourdonnais that will release mist into the air every few seconds to help you keep cool. This is a great tip for locals to know if they happen to be sightseeing in the area.
Local Libraries
In the same neighborhood near the Eiffel Tower, the American Library in Paris is a great place to stay cool during the heat. I’m a member there, as my apartment is only a few minutes away – and I clearly love to read and write.
Just bear in mind, the American Library doesn’t actually have air conditioning (shocking for something that is mimicking American soil, I know) – but the building is relatively new and they have several fans running. It’s definitely several degrees cooler than being in my old Parisian apartment.
Green Spaces
In a Paris heatwave, without air conditioning – shade becomes your best friend. There are a few parks in Paris with tall trees, like Parc Montsouris or Buttes-Chaumont, that will allow to take some refuge from the sun.
Flowers and fountains in Palais Royal, one of the parks in Paris with shade that can provide some relief during a heatwave
Catacombs
Everywhere else on the internet is raving about how museums in Paris can serve as a safe haven to keep you cool during a heatwave, and while they are out of the sun – trust me, it’s still a million degrees inside most of them.
My better suggestion would be to venture down to the Catacombs – which is a tourist attraction underground. This is probably one of the coolest places you could be in Paris during a heatwave.
Movie Theaters
Another safe bet to stay cool in Paris during a heatwave are local movie theaters.
Places like Pathé and UGC, which have locations all over Paris, are usually pretty cool inside despite the rising temperatures outside. Just remember that they aren’t popsicle-ice-cold the way that movie theaters in the United States are.
Pubs, Bars, Cafés, & Eateries
Here are some of the cooler places to go for food and drink while in Paris during a heatwave:
Starbucks (chains all over Paris)
McBrides (1st arrondissement)
Kintaro (2nd arrondissement)
Eataly (4th arrondissement)
Auld Alliance Pub (4th arrondissement)
La Grande Épicerie (7th arrondissement)
Ha'Penny Bridge Pub (7th arrondissement)
Buddy Buddy (10th arrondissement)
Oxymore (11th arrondissement))
The Dancing Goat (20th arrondissement))
Buddy Buddy (10th arrondissement)
View of old Parisian Haussmann style buildings, which get unbearably hot during heatwaves in Paris
Department Stores
Lots of bigger deparmtnet stores in Paris are a great place to take shelter from the heat, such as:
BHV (1st arrondissement)
Les Halles Westfield Shopping Mall (1st arrondissement)
Samaritaine (1st arrondissement)
Bon Marché (7th arrondissement)
Galeries Lafayette (9th arrondissement)
Printemps (9th arrondissement)
Centre Commerciale de Beaugrenelle (15th arrondissement)
Churches
Probably the best kept secret to staying cool during a heatwave in Paris is to pop into any nearby church. While there’s no air conditioning, the stone helps it to say super cool on the inside – making it a great place to cool off while sightseeing or for locals running errands in the heat.
Old church in Paris that’s perfect for cooling off during high temperatures
Supermarkets & Pharmacies
Popping into various, chain groceries stores in Paris in the midst of a heatwave will provide some temporary relief:
Monoprix
U Supermarché
Picard
La Grande Épicerie
Local Pharmacies
Public Transport
Believe it or not, one of the coolest places to be during a Paris heatwave is in the metro – as long as it’s not during peak hours, otherwise, the added body heat makes it unbearable.
Paris metro lines that are usually cooler or air conditioned include metro lines 1, 2, 4, 5, 7bis, 9, 11, and 14.
Please remember, when in doubt, you can always go to your local Mairie, or town hall, for help to find the best places to cool off in Paris during a heatwave.
🥵☀️ Places to Avoid During a Paris Heatwave ☀️🥵
🚇 Older Metro Lines
Avoid older metro lines like 3, 6, 8, and 10 during rush hour. They become incredibly crowded, aren't air-conditioned, and can feel unbearably hot during a Paris heatwave.
🏛️ Older Museums
Historic museums like the Louvre can become surprisingly warm, especially in the areas you'll likely spend the most time exploring as a tourist.
🏠 Top-Floor Apartments
Take it from someone who lives in one: top-floor apartments become ovens during a Paris heatwave. Hot air rises, and without air conditioning, they can be truly miserable by late afternoon and evening.
View of Eiffel Tower on a sunny day from Cheval Blanc’s Le Tout Paris rooftop bar; June 2026
☀️🇫🇷 Visiting Paris During a Heatwave Itinerary 🇫🇷☀️
See Your Biggest Paris Must-Sees First
Get up early to see some of the major things on your list before the heat gets really bad — whether that's the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, or another major Paris landmark. Before you leave your hotel, make sure to close the blinds to keep your room as cool as possible.
Cool Off in a Café
Around midday, slow things down and cool off in a café. This is a good time to sit, hydrate, have something light to eat, and avoid pushing yourself too hard while the city starts getting hotter.
Stay Indoors During Peak Heat
The afternoon is usually when the heat feels the worst, so choose an indoor activity instead. Depending on your mood, this could be a movie theater, museum, shopping mall, or even the Catacombs.
Choose an Air-Conditioned or Cooler Restaurant
For dinner, avoid hot, cramped restaurants and choose somewhere air-conditioned or naturally cooler. I’ve included a list of better restaurant options later in this article so you can still enjoy eating out in Paris without overheating.
Additional Paris Heatwave Tips:
Keep Medications in Fridge: Friends in Paris who have subscription medicine have advised me to keep sensitive medications in the fridge during the heatwave – otherwise, you could end up feeling sick.
School Closures: Unlike the U.S., France often closes school due to heatwaves – as the buildings are too hot and unsafe for children to be in. In turn, you might see more crowds on random streets as parents might be picking up their kids.
Exceptional Closures for Tourist Attractions: In years past, things like the Eiffel Tower usually close – so be sure to plan your Paris itinerary accordingly.
Paris heatwaves are often miserable as the old buildings are not well insulated to withstand such extreme temperatures
🥵☀️ FAQs on Heatwaves in Paris ☀️🥵
Want to see what a heatwave in Paris looks like in action?
Watch me live through on of Paris’s many heatwaves in my vlog below!
Looking for more information and Paris and France as you plan your trip?
Click here to discover more, as I have several articles like this to help you plan the perfect trip to Paris and the rest of France.
Additional articles you may find helpful include:
10 Best Day Trips from Paris by Train (From a Local's Perspective)
15 Best Rooftop Bars in Paris You’ll Actually Want to Visit in 2026
10 Best Neighborhoods in Paris: Where to Stay (A Local’s Guide)
Your Guide to a First Trip to Paris: A Local-Approved 5-Day Itinerary
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Last updated: June 25, 2026