Spending summertime in Paris? Good luck! Though it's no doubt a good city, it can get pretty hot around this time of the year. And not just hot, but scorching! You'd be lucky if you don't melt on the cobblestone streets when you go out on a sunny day. The fact that it's a pretty populated and condensed city doesn't help either. That only adds to the heat. So if you want to spend the hottest season in the French capital, you'll need to cool off every once and a while. Fortunately, there are many ways to do it like swimming, eating some ice cream, having fun at the park, and staying by the Seine River, among many others.
Hang Out by The Seine River
Why do you think coastal towns are popular during summer? Because they get the sea breezes. From early afternoon up to the next morning, coastal towns get to enjoy cool winds since they're located near a huge body of water. But will you get that in Paris? Technically, yes. Though it's far from the sea breezes in the French Riviera, staying by the Seine River lets you enjoy some breeze too. And because of that, they often set up the Paris Plages come summertime. They're essentially freshwater
beaches in Paris, ones where you can cool off and have just as much fun as you would on a standard seashore.
Go Swimming
Swimming is always a great way to stay cool during summer, even when you're in Paris. You already know about the Paris Plages by the Seine River, but there are tons of other great places to
swim in the city. One that's always popular is the Joséphine Baker Swimming Pool in the
13th arrondissement of Paris. It's a floating swimming pool situated by the left bank of the Seine River. Unlike the Paris Plages, where you get to swim in the actual river, the Joséphine Baker Swimming Pool makes you feel like you're on a yacht, relaxing and staying cool under the sun.
Have Fun at The Park
Don't want to go swimming? You can always go to the park. There are tons of great parks in Paris, each more beautiful than the next. In fact, there's likely no
neighborhood in Paris that doesn't have its own park! They're the best places to retreat to when you want to escape all the hustle and bustles of the big city. And in many of them, there are ponds and fountains that can easily provide the breeze you'll need to stay cool. You can even run through some fountains and soak up all the fresh cool water. But for the most part,
going on a picnic in the park under the shade of a big tree is enough!
Visit a Church
Notre Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, and Sacré-Coeur are just some of the famous churches in Paris. You'll want to visit them for their incredible architecture alone, as well as their ornate interiors and the history that surrounds them. Little did you know, however, that going to any of these awe-inspiring places of worship is also a great way to stay cool during summer in Paris. They don't have air conditioning or anything like that, but these massive churches provide the perfect shade against the hot summer sun. Of course, seeing their magnificence in person doesn't hurt too!
Enjoy Some Ice Cream
Although there are lots of treats to choose from here in the French capital, summer in Paris will have you enjoying one again and again: ice cream! The sun is shining brightly and the weather is hot and humid. Doesn't that sound like the perfect excuse to get yourself some ice cream? No matter how hot it can get, a nice sweet and cold treat won't let it get to you. Especially since many of the
ice cream shops in Paris offer up delicious treats unlike any other. The city is known for its sweets, after all, and its ice cream is no different!
Grab a Smoothie
But what if you're on a diet? Or you're watching what you eat nowadays. Does this mean you have to forego cold treats? Not necessarily! While ice cream is off the table, there's always a smoothie. And it helps that the
best places to get smoothies in Paris make theirs with fresh and organic ingredients. Moreover, many of them specifically cater to healthy eating. Whether you're on a cleanse or you just want to watch your weight, their smoothies will keep you cool and fit at the same time. What's not to love?
Go To a Rooftop
When all else fails, you can always go to the top! The rooftop, that is. A cosmopolitan city like Paris has many incredible rooftop bars on offer. The
Skybar Paris and the
Galeries Lafayette Rooftop are just some of these awesome hotspots. In these places, not only will you get to enjoy the cool winds of Paris, but you'll also get some of the most amazing views of the city. You already know that the Paris skyline is iconic, right? Well, it's on full view in many of the finest rooftop bars in the city!
As summer turns the heat up, especially in a crowded city like Paris, you'll want to stay as cool as possible! Fortunately, there are many ways to do that here in the French capital. You can go swimming, take shade in a church, and more!
