5 Ways to Cool off During a Paris Heatwave

Being stuck in a heatwave is no fun, especially in a busy city like Paris. Fortunately, the city is well prepared for the hot summers and offers multiple outdoor activities to help you stay cool. Here are five ways to cool off in Paris this summer. 

1. Paris Plages

The annual Paris Plages, or “Paris Beaches,” returns this year as a free and fun way to cool off in the summer heat. Several sections of Paris are turned into mini beaches, complete with beach games and swimming areas. While the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics may affect this year’s Paris Plages on certain dates, you can explore the beaches at the Bassin de la Villette in the 19th arrondissement (open July 6 – September 8), Canal Saint-Martin in the 10th arrondissement (open July 6 – September 1), and Parc Rives-de-Seine in the 4th arrondissement (open August 6 – September 8). Visit these locations to enjoy cultural exhibitions, art classes, sports programs, giant games, and more.

This year, highlights include: 

• Sports and yoga programs such as tai chi, qigong, and kung fu every morning  

• For the kids: ziplining at the Bassin de la Villette 

• Kayaking, paddle boarding, and canoeing at the Bassin de la Villette

Additional water areas will open periodically throughout the summer at certain gyms and sports clubs. Check the official website for opening hours, schedule changes, and daily programs. 

2. Hide out in Picard (or your preferred grocery store)

Major supermarkets like Picard, Monoprix, Franprix, and Carrefour are well air-conditioned, and some even offer a seating area where you can enjoy a meal in a cool place. In particular, Picard always offers a cold environment because they exclusively sell frozen items. Look for the telltale snowflake logo to enter this freezer-filled store that will cool you off in no time. 

3. Visit a park with lots of shade

Finding shade during the hot summer months is essential, especially if you spend long amounts of time outside. Take advantage of the natural shade offered in several parks and forests around the city. Here are some of our favorites:

• Jardin des Tuileries – 1st arrondissement 

• Arboretum de Paris (a nature conservation and education area located at the eastern edge of the Bois de Vincennes) – 12th arrondissement  

• Bois de Boulogne – 16th arrondissement 

• Jardin du Luxembourg (with a playground and sports areas) – 6th arrondissement 

• Parc André Citroën (with water jets in the summer) – 15th arrondissement 

• Parc Monceau (with a playground and merry-go-round) – 8th arrondissement 

• Jardin des Plantes (with a zoo and museums) – 5th arrondissement

Some parks will be exceptionally closed on July 26, 2024, due to the Olympics Opening Ceremony. The Jardin des Tuileries will be closed partially or fully from June 17 to September 25, 2024. 

4. Explore one of Paris’s pools

From June to September, several outdoor pools offer much-needed relief from the Paris heat. Some pools, like that of Le Molitor, cost a pretty penny to access, but there are several scattered throughout the city that are more affordable. A single entry can cost as little as 2€ at some pools!

Try out the Piscine de la Butte aux Cailles (13th arrondissement), Piscine Les Halles-Suzanne Berlioux (1st arrondissement), or the Piscine Josephine Baker (13th arrondissement) for a unique swim along the Seine. If you’re willing to travel outside the city, the Piscine des Murs à Pêches (Montreuil) offers an environmentally-friendly outdoor pool that uses plants and micro-organisms instead of chemicals to keep it clean. For a complete list of Paris pools and their hours, check out the city’s official website. Before your pool adventure, remember to pack a swim cap, towel, and shower shoes!

5. Find a water mister

Water misters are fun for the whole family and a perfect way to quickly cool off during a Paris heatwave. These “brumisateurs” can be found across the city, as shown by this map provided by Eau de Paris. Several parks also offer water jets and/or water games for the whole family. Check out the Jardin Nelson Mandela outside Les Halles (1st arrondissement), Parc André Citroën (15th arrondissement), and the Parc de Choisy (13th arrondissement) to find some of the best water activities in the city.

In addition to enjoying the water misters and jets, bring your reusable water bottle to refill at one of the 1,200+ outdoor fountains across the city. You can also find water fountains in large indoor institutions, such as the Westfield Mall at Les Halles.

Bonus: Visit an air-conditioned museum

Take the time during a heatwave to explore a Paris museum that’s been on your bucket list. You’ll be cool and comfortable in popular museums like the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and Musée de l’Orangerie. For a more natural feel, descend into the Paris Catacombs and walk through the various tunnels on your own or with an audio guide. Please note that some museums and monuments may have different hours or entrances due to the Olympics and Paralympics.