Photo by Allison Planck; Minolta x-700
HEAT WAVE:
Tips for handling summer in Paris
The weather in Paris can be very harsh; if you live in L.A. than you'll be better equipped to handle the heat that comes with the summer months. Experiencing these high temperatures in a packed city will definitely bring new meaning to when Cole Porter sings "I love Paris in the Summer when it sizzles". I live in a part of L.A. that gets extremely hot, with triple digits in August and September. However, in my situation, a beach or a pool or an arconditioned room is readily available - which is not the case in Paris. First off, it is very rare to find air conditioning in Paris. Buildings don’t have it, rooms don't have it, and restaurants don't have it. The rare exception is found within the high-end department stores of Paris, like Au Printempts, Galleries Lafayette, and the BHV in the Marais. There is also no body of water suitable in Paris to swim in. This means: inside or outside you will be very hot when the temperature spikes and the humidity goes with it. However, there are ways to survive: take cold showers, avoid the standing street toilets, and follow these tips below.
Tip #1 : Find a heavily shaded park in your area
Parisians love their parks. Luckily, in this urban and suburban city you will find a lot of public parks and lush greenery. When I am very hot, I usually go inside to cool down. In Paris, that is not always the best solution to the problem. The parks usually have a lot of trees to seek shade under and many people bring blankets to lie on to wait out the afternoon heat. Being outside but under the cool shade at ground level is a good alternative to your sunlit, 5th story deathtrap of an apartment.
Photo taken in the park near Cité U
Photo by Allison Planck; Minolta x-700
Tip #2 : Cool off in a museum
This one is not always easy, but it is an option. You must note that not all museums in Paris are climate controlled - and the ones that are don't always make a difference when there are tons of people around. The Louvre is a large museum and therefore makes it easier to find a cool spot. The shaded areas of the courtyard (pictured) can be a great relief from some of the stuffy exhibition spaces. Also, the medieval walls of the historical Louvre are exquisitely showcased in a lower, dimly lit level of the museum - also a much cooler and quieter area of the museum.
Inside the Louvre Museum
Photo by Allison Planck; Minolta x-700
Tip #3 : Head towards the water
When the heat of the city is unbearable in every location, head towards the Seine. It might seem torturous at first - to be by a body of water and not being able to go into it - but you will be cooler and more relaxed by the river. Even the slightest breeze off the moving water will take the edge off the temperature and humidity. There are many peaceful areas with shady trees to sit under and to watch the boats go by. 'Paris Plages' is also hosted at the Seine at the end of July. Sand and umbrellas are brought in to create a beach on the banks of the River Seine.
View of Paris-Plages on the Seine River
Photo by Allison Planck; Minolta x-700
Tip #4 : Duck into a cathedrale or church
When I say Paris gets hot, I mean that it gets so hot that it will make your head spin and your knees buckle. Daily tasks can become exhausting in the heat; seeking out shade or a quiet space is necessary for your own well being. Cathedrals and churches are scattered all over Paris and you easily duck into one and take a breather. Many people filter in and out when the doors are open, so don't be worried that someone might approach you or tell you to leave.
