For several days now, the thermometer has been climbing steadily, and the heat has settled in for the long haul in the capital. In response to this exceptional heat wave, the City of Paris is activating its summer heat response plan and reminds residents that there are many alternatives to staying indoors when temperatures become unbearable.
Staying Cool in Paris: A Guide
The first piece of good news is that the city has an extensive network of cool spots. More than 1,400 locations have been identified across the various arrondissements. These include parks and gardens as well as libraries, municipal facilities, churches, and air-conditioned spaces open to the public. Some are open year-round, while others are set up specifically during heat waves.
For many Parisians, green spaces remain the most obvious refuge. The capital has nearly 550 parks, gardens, and public squares, about 140 of which remain open day and night during the summer months. Under the tall trees of Montsouris Park, the Buttes-Chaumont, or André-Citroën Park, the air is often much more breathable than in the midst of concrete. Several gardens also feature misting systems that help bring the temperature down by a few precious degrees.
Paris also has nearly 1,300 drinking water fountains located in public spaces. The famous Wallace fountains are, in fact, only a small part of the network. In addition, there are more than 170 misting fountains installed in streets and green spaces, which have become particularly popular when temperatures soar.
For those looking for more than just a quick break from the heat, municipal swimming pools remain a sure bet. Every summer, the 42 facilities open to the public welcome thousands of swimmers looking to escape the heat. Some outdoor pools are extremely popular right from the first days of intense heat.
But the summer of 2026 marks, above all, the return of a practice that would have seemed unimaginable just a few years ago: swimming in the Seine. Starting July 4, several designated sites will allow residents and visitors to swim directly in the river. Between the Bras Marie, the Bras de Grenelle, and the Quai de Bercy, these new swimming areas are expected to quickly become one of the must-visit spots of the Parisian summer. And in the meantime, swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin has also been exceptionally permitted!
For those who simply prefer to seek shelter for a few hours, libraries, museums, and municipal buildings also serve as valuable refuges. Behind their thick walls or thanks to their air-conditioning systems, these places are often several degrees cooler than the surrounding streets.
