Summer in Paris: 9 Ways to Beat the Heat

(updated July 2024). Strolls through lush gardens, picnics with the Seine glistening at your feet, long evenings nursing a rosé on a café terrace. Paris in the summer is downright magical. However, when temperatures rise and the sun begins to scorch rather than soothe, Parisians turn to summer activities that’ll help them cool down and escape the sweaty crowds trying to do the same.

For surefire ways to beat the heat, here are 9 of our favorite Paris summer activities that’ll keep you refreshed and give you an excuse to discover the city’s hidden treasures.

Go For a Swim

Paris Plages

No, we don’t mean diving off a bridge at the Canal Saint-Martin (although we’ve seen people do it!). Each summer, Paris opens up Paris Plages. These are ephemeral city side ‘beaches’ along the Seine, Bassin de la Villette, and Canal St. Martin. This year there are exceptional opening dates and times due to the Olympics. Make sure to check the opening dates and times.

See a Movie

Most Paris movie theaters are air conditioned. If you’re French is lacking you can watch films in English with the designation ‘VO’ (version originale). Better yet, head to Lost in Frenchlation. They offer screenings of the best French cinema with English subtitles, broadcast at independent cinemas. There is also a convivial cocktail hour just before.

Hang Out at An Air Conditioned Paris Hotel

When visiting Paris in the warmer months, it’s increasingly helpful to make sure your accommodation has air conditioning. All 4 and 5 star hotels are required to. Many 3 star establishments have it as well, but do check first. If you want to escape the heat for a few hours you can always visit a hotel lounge or bar even if you’re not a guest. And don’t forget that a huge perk at many of the finer Paris hotels is a swimming pool. The Môlitor Hotel and Spa is one of our favorites. Check out our picks for Paris hotels with pools.

Wander around a small (air-conditioned) museum

In order to maintain their precious collections, most museums will have air conditioning so take your pick of the approximately 140 Paris museums dotted around the city.

However, instead of being packed like sweaty sardines into the Louvre where the body heat generated by the number of visitors will negate the cool air, take this opportunity to explore one of stunning yet smaller Paris museums.

We particularly love the Musée Rodin and the Musée Montmartre (whose gardens make you feel like you’re in a French impressionist painting) as well as Musée Guimet with its incredible collection of Asian art and air conditioning.

Find shade in a secret garden

If you still long to be in nature, venture into one of Paris’ secret gardens. You can find many located in the trendy Marais neighborhood. Relax in the splendid (and shaded) grounds of the Musée des Archives Nationales, enjoy a cool glass of white wine in the Café Suédois’ hidden courtyard, or take a nap on the grass in the Jardin des Rosiers.

Savor Some Ice Cream

If you’re looking for something a bit sweeter, you can’t go wrong by stopping for an ice cream in Paris. We love the pistachio gelato at Pozzetto in the 4^th and the rose petal Lebanese ice cream at Glace Bachir in the 3^rd.

Travel underground to the Catacombs

If you’re so overheated that you have no desire to see the sun, head underground to Les Catacombes de Paris, one of the world’s largest ossuaries with a history dating back to the late 18^th century. The dimly lit crypts lined with carefully arranged bones encourage visitors towards introspection and meditation—and provide a welcome respite from the heat.

Take a Seine River Cruise

One of the best ways to see the sites is by taking a Seine river cruise. Relax and feel the water’s breeze.

Shop Til You Drop

The larger shopping centers and department stores like Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, BHV, Samaritaine, Westfield, etc in Paris will no doubt have air conditioning but also large crowds. Still they are a reliable way to cool down in a city where air conditioning is scarce. A lesser known and less crowded option is the Beaugrenelle Shopping Center which includes its own branch of Galeries Lafayette amongst a plethora of other stores.