Day 3353 (Thursday) 13th August 2026
These photos were taken in the 1950s.
It was very hot and humid again today – our thermometer on the balcony said it was 38 degrees.
7 activities to do during a French heatwave
AFP
If France is in the grip of a heatwave you may need to alter your plans - here are some suggestions
for fun activities to do when the temperature soars.
If you're visiting France during the summer you will need to keep an eye on the weather forecasts, and
any weather warnings issued by the French weather forecaster Météo France.
France is seeing an increasing number of heatwaves - which are also becoming more intense and
starting earlier in the year - linked to climate change, which means that many parts of France and
regularly experiencing temperatures that would have been exceptional 20 years ago.
French heatwaves are no joke - people die during the most extreme temperatures - so flexibility is the
key, as well as following official advice on what activities are safe to do.
Fortunately, there are lots of fun alternatives to do if you are in France during a heatwave.
Swim - Absolutely the number one way of cooling off during hot weather is to go for a dip. Not a problem if
you're by the sea (although be sure to follow local instructions on safe swimming areas), but cities have
swimming spots too.
If you're in Paris you can now swim in the River Seine while plenty of French towns have urban beaches
with swimming areas, or lakes that offer swimming spots. Failing that there's the local municipal pool,
which often open for longer hours during a heatwave.
Remember to follow the French rules on swimwear (Speedos and swimming cap) if you are going to a local authority-run pool.
If you don't want to swim, you can also cool off by paddling in pools or fountains, or seeking out the braumisateurs, which pump up cool water vapour.
Go underground - if you're looking for somewhere out of the sun, check out the underground attractions in the area.
From caves - ranging from prehistoric cave painting to the Roquefort cheese caves - to caves (wine cellars), via underground tourist sites like the Paris Catacombes, underground sites usually
remain a reasonable temperature all year round.
Churches - likewise, France's older churches are usually naturally cool thanks to their thick stone walls and small
windows that don't allow in much sunlight.
Walking into a cool and shady church is a sweet relief on a scorching day, and many of them have
interesting historical or architectural details.
Cinemas (and other buildings with air conditioning) - one thing you will notice is that air conditioning does not come as standard in France. The places that
do have la climatisation often advertise it, so you can build your schedule around visiting the places with AC on the hottest days.
This also explains why French people become (even more) keen on cinema at peak heatwave - most
cinemas are equipped with air conditioning.
Likewise the (rare) restaurants that have air conditioning often advertise salle climatisé - air-conditioned room.
Outdoor cinema - if you prefer to be outside, many French towns set up temporary outdoor cinemas over the summer,
and they are usually free.
Parks - the park is also a great place to head to on a hot day, you can relax in the shade of the trees and enjoy
some down time, and perhaps also the paddling pool or braumisateur.
During a heatwave local authorities often leave parks open 24/7 and on the hottest nights you might see
people sleeping there, in an attempt to escape their sweatbox apartments.
Food and drink is allowed in all parks and picnics are a popular summer activity. In most cases there are
no restrictions on drinking alcohol in the park, but in extreme cases local authorities have the power to
issue a temporary ban on drinking in public areas, as happened in Paris during the June heatwave.
Exercise in early mornings - if you had planned an active holiday such as a cycling or hiking holiday, you are probably going to
have to alter your schedule.Listen to local advice for the best times to be outdoors, but in general the advice is to exercise in the
coolest part of the day, which is the early morning. While 'high noon' is supposed to be the heat peak, in
France it's usually the later part of the afternoon and the early evening that sees the hottest temperatures,
during which it is unsafe to doing physically strenuous activity outdoors, even if you are normally fit and active.
Slow down - visit any hot country and you'll notice that the pace of life slows when it's hot, whether that's walking
at a leisurely pace, or having a nap during the hottest part of the day.
You will also need to slow down to adapt to the heat - perhaps swapping a gallery visit for a long lunch,
or prioritising a lazy afternoon in the park over a sweaty walking tour.
It's no fun trying to stick to a pre-planned schedule when it's simply too hot, and Paris residents will all
be familiar with the sight of miserable, exhausted tourists trying to force themselves through their
schedule of museum and gallery visits. Remember, a holiday is supposed to be enjoyable.
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