It's finally summer in Paris! The weather is hotter, the sun is brighter, and the locals are much more heated. Though most Parisians travel to practically everywhere else during this season, summertime in Paris still has its own magic too. The city is brighter, hotter, and you feel its Mediterranean magic even more. Nevertheless, it makes sense to want to go someplace else during this time of the year. In such a big city, the heat gets a bit too intense. You can still
stay cool in Paris, but you'll need to wear light layers, a hat, some drinking water, or perhaps even a bike, among others.
Light Layers
Firstly, let's talk about what to wear. As the premier fashion capital of the world and home to
haute couture, what you wear in Paris, especially in summer, matters a lot. For the hottest season of the year, some light layers will do. Think linen separates that are their own breezy and chic look. A white shirt is enough too. You can pair it with a comfy pair of jeans or even denim shorts. And as for dresses, a nice sundress or a pretty cotton frock will surely do the trick. All in all, just keep everything light!
A Hat
As far as accessories go, “
un chapéu” is really all you need. Unbeknownst to many, hats are still very much a thing in Paris. Though there are fewer who wear them out on the street, the heat in Paris in summer has many putting on their chapéu before heading out. The most common are the straw fedoras, which give off a breezy Mediterranean look. Bucket hats, on the other hand, are trendier and touch on the Y2K streetwear trend. And for you sophisticates out there, what's stopping you from sporting a wide-brim sun hat?
Comfy Shoes
The cooler your feet, the cooler you'll be! Comfy footwear should be the only thing you'll put on your feet when you spend summertime in Paris. Think ballet flats, summer sandals, or even a pair of flip-flops. As long as your feet can breathe, you're good to go. Why? Because this will also allow you to do all sorts of things to keep cool during the hottest time of the year. Since you can move around in comfy footwear, you can head on over to the park and rest under the shade of trees or climb up
Montmartre Hill and feel the breezes brush up against your face.
A Swimsuit
In such a metropolitan city like Paris, wouldn't stepping out in a swimsuit be a major fashion faux pas? Not necessarily! After all, if your aim is to stay cool in Paris in summer, it's only natural to wear (or bring) a swimsuit. There are countless places throughout the different
neighborhoods in Paris where you can splash around. There are the
Paris Plages, for example, which open as soon as summer arrives in the city. The Eiffel Tower fountains also allow people to splash around when the heat reaches an all-time high.
Drinking Water
Don't underestimate just how hot Paris can get during summer. Depending on how you handle the heat, there are times when just going around the block will have you needing a sip of water. And this is why you ought to have some on hand as much as possible! Bring along a tumbler full of cold water if you're the type to get hot as soon as you step outside. You can also buy water bottles from practically everywhere, but that will just consume all your money at the end of the day.
A Fan
Any fan will do you some good when you're in Paris in the summer. Be it a traditional paper or silk fan or even a mini electric fan, keeping one handy will surely help you avoid the risk of heatstroke. And you gotta admit: fanning yourself with a traditional fan is rather chic. It's as if you returned to the days of La
Belle Époque, setting the perfect mood as you stroll past the city's famous Haussmann buildings. But if you go for the more modern mini-electric fans, you're sure to keep cool no matter where you go and what you do!
A Bike
It's not that you '
need' a bike to stay cool in Paris in summer, but it will definitely help! When you have nothing to do on a free day or a weekend, for example, but you still want to head out and explore the beautiful French capital, riding your bike is a great option. This will keep you cool and refreshed as you travel all throughout Paris. And of course, it's a great
public transport system too. When you're not in a hurry to get to where you need to be, cycling to your destination isn't a bad idea t all!
Cash
And finally, don't ever step out in Paris in summer without any cash. Whether it's loose change or a couple of Euro bills, having some cash will help you keep cool during the hottest season of the year. How, you may ask? For one thing, you can buy all sorts of things to keep you cool, be it bottled water fresh out of the refrigerator or two scoops of ice cream from your favorite dessert shop. You can also use the cash to visit the air-conditioned museums and pass the time there.
To stay cool during summer in Paris, you'll need a few things to keep near you. You can say that they're essentials that will ensure that you won't ever get the risk of feeling a heatstroke during the hottest time of the year.
