Parisian heat is a love/hate kind of relationship. Sure, summer in Paris looks good, but when the high temperatures hit, it can also be unbearable. The metros are infernally hot, the parks are overcrowded, you will be sitting in your own sweat in cafes … we could go on but you get the point. Luckily, though there are some spots in the city to escape to for a few moments of coolness. Here are some of our recommendations in the city to keep your body temperature down and your sanity intact! Here are some of the best things to do during a heatwave in the summer in Paris:
#1: Pools in the City
A swimming pool becomes a close friend to many city dwellers during the summer. Paris has many swimming pools across the city that are accessible to the public. You can check the Paris City website to see the public pools near you and their hours or try some of our personal favorite pools:
Piscine Georges Vallerey
With its retractable roof, this Olympic sized pool is a prime tanning/casual swimming spot for a hot summer in Paris. This pool is also where American Johnny Weissmuller (star of the Tarzan films) won the gold medal for the 400-meter freestyle event in 1924 so you will be swimming in a pool for champions!
- Address: 148 Avenue Gambetta – 75020 Paris
- Price: 3€ for an adult and 1,70€ for a child!
- Times: Opened every day from 11 am to 8 pm except for Tuesdays and Thursdays when it closes at 10 pm.
Piscine Josephine Baker
We wouldn’t advice going swimming in the Seine (no, really… don’t), but we would definitely recommend the next best thing, which is swimming on a floating pool on the Seine. The Josephine Baker swimming pool is moored next to the Bibliothèque François Mitterrand in the 13th arrondissement. Their huge pool gives incredible views of the seine and has a deck where you can lounge!
- Address: Quai François Mauriac – 75013 Paris
- Cost: 3.80€ for adults and 2.10€ for children
- Times: Open every day from 7 am to 8:30 pm except for Thursdays when it is open from 7 am to 8:30 am and 1 pm to 11 pm. On Saturday and Sundays, it is open from 11 am to 6 pm.
Aquaboulevard
If you are looking for something a little more dynamic to do on a hot day, a trip to Aquaboulevard will burn off some pent up energy. Located in the 15th arrondissement, Aquaboulevard is built for fun in the sun with an outdoor beach, whirlpools, 10 giant waterslides, Jacuzzis and much more! Make sure to book your tickets in advance on their website.
- Address: 4 rue Louis Armand – 75015 Paris
- Cost: 35€ for adults and 20€ for kids
- Times: Monday- Thursday: 9 am- 11 pm
Friday: 9 am- 11:45 pm
Saturday: 8 am- 11:45 pm
Sunday: 8 am- 11 pm
#2: Museums with Air Conditioning
Many of Paris’s museums have air conditioning. On one hand, it is to make visitors comfortable and on the other, it is to help preserve the art. So they are great spots to go to when you just need a bit of fresh air. You can spend your day admiring fantastic art while also being in a cool place. Best of all, many museums have their own cafes and restaurants, so you can spend more time soaking up the cool air. Smaller museums are less likely to have it but the bigger museums like the Louvre, Musee D’Orsay, and the Orangerie are sure to have A/C.
Smaller Museums
You can also visit smaller museums like Musée des Arts Forains which also has A/C and is a museum of funfairs (you have to book in advance though). Better yet opt for Fragonard’s Free Museum in the Marais that also has A/C. You can take a free walking tour in many languages (French, English, Chinese, Spanish, Russian) and learn about the history of Fragonard’s perfume making that has lasted for generations.
#3: Take a day trip outside of Paris to Vaux-le-Vicomte
It will be very hot within the city itself so you can opt for a day trip outside the city to escape the dense heat. One option is the Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte. Spend a day on the grounds of the palace that inspired Versailles. Located outside of Paris, the chateaux is surrounded by beautiful gardens that will have a lot more space and a lot fewer people than the gardens in Paris. Its a great place to find some shade for a picnic or to read a book! There are also a variety of activities for you to do in the castle if you want a break from the sun like their free 3D surround sound tour and their carriage museum. It is a great spot to take a break from the city heat and get a bit of open air space!
Book your tickets to visit Vaux le Vicomte right here!
The gardens of the Vaux Le Vicomte.