Practical

Extreme heatwave alert in Paris: an update on the situation

La Rédaction Paris je t'aime - Updated on 17 August 2026

Faced with the exceptional heatwave affecting the capital, Paris is adapting - cancelling major events, adjusting opening hours, advising on best practices… - whilst offering alternatives to help people stay cool

Find out more in this article:

Dealing with the heatwave: our advice and top tips
Cancellation/rescheduling of major events in Paris
Museums and monuments: adjusted opening hours and access
Let’s stay positive: where to find a cool spot in Paris?
Sale and consumption of alcohol
Spotlight: the best ice creams in Paris
Frequently asked questions

⚠️ Important note: information regarding this heatwave is constantly changing. We encourage you to check this article regularly and revisit our content to stay informed of the latest updates in real time.

🎯 Dealing with the heatwave: our advice and key precautions

This exceptional heatwave affects everyone: the elderly, those living alone or in vulnerable circumstances, but also younger people who appear to be in good health. To get through this extreme heatwave safely, please strictly follow these essential recommendations:

Responsibility and preserving emergency services: avoid risky behaviour as much as possible so as not to overwhelm hospitals and emergency services, whose capacity is currently at breaking point. If you have any questions or need help organising your stay, seek advice from tourism professionals (hotels, tour guides, information points), who can direct you towards safe alternatives
Hydration and diet: drink at least 1.5 litres of water a day, regularly and without waiting until you feel thirsty. Continue to eat as normal (opt for fruit, vegetables, soups and bread) and avoid alcohol at all costs, as it accelerates dehydration
Activities and travel: limit your travel to the bare minimum and avoid any intense physical or sporting activity (such as jogging), particularly during the hottest part of the day, between 11am and 9pm
Keeping your home cool: close your shutters, curtains and blinds during the day, and make the most of the cool night-time air to open windows wide. You can use a fan (placing bottles of ice-cold water in front of it) or hang damp sheets from the windows
Seek out cool places: spend several hours a day in air-conditioned or cooled venues (partner museums, shopping centres, places of worship) or make the most of Paris’s parks, which are open at night
Protect young children: give babies and young children water very regularly. Make sure they wear hats and use sun cream; never leave them alone in a car; and be extra vigilant around hot surfaces (slides, metal) or open windows
Solidarity and the REFLEX scheme: check in regularly on vulnerable or isolated people in your circle. Remember to register them (or yourself) with the City of Paris’s REFLEX scheme by calling 3975 (or via Paris.fr) to benefit from support from healthcare professionals and social workers
Our four-legged friends: to protect animals, the City is exceptionally opening additional parks and gardens to dogs kept on a lead (such as the Square de la Tour Saint-Jacques, Parc Anvers or the Square Claude-Nicolas-Ledoux). Try to take your dog for a walk during the coolest hours of the night, as the parks are open at night

📞 Useful numbers: For further information or to report a cause for concern, contact the City of Paris on 3975. The national Canicule Info Service helpline is also available free of charge on 0800 06 66 66. If you feel unwell, dial 15 immediately.

🌳 Find cool spots and shaded routes

To escape extreme temperatures, the City of Paris has provided an interactive map listing all the cool spots in the capital. Parks, gardens open at night, misting systems, air-conditioned cultural venues or churches: instantly find the nearest shaded or cool spot to take a break in the cool.

💧 Fill your water bottle for free anywhere in the capital!

To stay hydrated throughout the day, instantly locate all available water points in Paris via the Eau de Paris interactive map. This map lists not only the city’s public fountains, but also all the businesses partnering with the Ici, je choisis Eau de Paris initiative, where you can have your water bottle or flask refilled for free.

👉 EXPLORE THE MAP

🎯 Cancellation/rescheduling of major in Paris

The move to an orange heatwave alert does not, as of today, entail the cancellation of any events.

🎯 Museums and monuments: adjusted opening hours and access

To cope with the high temperatures, many museums, monuments and cultural venues in Paris and the Île-de-France region are adapting their operations to protect visitors and the artworks on display. Please remember to always check their official websites before setting off. The main changes currently in place concern:

A great tip for staying cool - and it’s free: to enable everyone to seek shelter and enjoy cool spaces, the permanent collections at the City of Paris’s museums are always free. Furthermore, venues such as the Petit Palais, the Paris Museum of Modern Art and the Paris Museum of the Liberation - General Leclerc - Jean Moulin all have specifically air-conditioned rooms and areas that are accessible to everyone free of charge: an ideal way to combine culture with a cool escape

🎯 Let’s stay positive: where can you find some cool respite in Paris?

There’s no question of letting the heat get you down! The capital is brimming with clever ways to enjoy the summer whilst staying cool. To discover all the tips and shaded spots, check out our guide on what to do when it’s hot in Paris. And for a 100% relaxing break, take a look at the best places to go for a swim in Paris this summer: swimming pools, pop-up pools and supervised swimming spots are waiting for you to take a dip and cool off in a friendly atmosphere!

🎯 Regulated sale and consumption of alcohol

During this heatwave, the Paris Police Prefecture has not introduced any restrictive measures or bans regarding the sale or consumption of alcoholic drinks in Paris and the Greater Paris area.

Takeaway sales in retail shops and convenience stores are operating according to their usual opening hours
Customers can make full use of the regularly authorised outdoor seating areas at bars and restaurants in the capital

Health advisory: although no administrative restrictions are in force, the health authorities remind the public that it is essential to limit alcohol consumption during heatwaves, as alcohol significantly increases the risk of dehydration

🔍 Fancy a refreshing and indulgent treat?

To beat the Parisian heat in style, nothing beats a stop at the capital’s finest artisan ice cream makers.

From ultra-fresh fruity sorbets to creamy ice creams or unusual flavours, discover our selection of must-visit spots where you can treat yourself to a well-deserved icy treat whilst out and about.

👉 Where can you find the best ice cream in Paris?

❓Frequently asked questions

Which major events in Paris have been cancelled?

In light of the current heatwave alert, the Paris Police Prefecture is, for the time being, allowing all major gatherings in Paris scheduled for this weekend to go ahead. No major cancellations have been reported. Emergency and cooling measures are being stepped up on site by the various organisers.

Which museums or monuments are changing their opening hours due to the heat?

In light of the heatwave in Paris and the Greater Paris area, several institutions are likely to adjust their opening hours to protect the public.

Where can you find free, cool places to escape the heatwave?

To find a cool place to shelter without spending a penny, the permanent collections of the City of Paris’s museums are open to the public. Air-conditioned or specially cooled areas are also available free of charge at the [Petit Palais](https://parisjetaime.com/culture/petit-palais-musee-des-beaux-arts-de-la-ville-de-paris -p3490), at the [Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris](https://parisjetaime.com/culture/musee-d-art-moderne-de-paris -p3491) and at the Paris Museum of the Liberation.

Where can you cool off or go for a swim in Paris this summer?

To help you enjoy this heatwave, the city offers plenty of shaded areas and places to cool off. Find all our tips in our practical guide on what to do when it’s hot in Paris as well as a list of supervised swimming pools and ponds in our selection of the best places to swim in Paris this summer.

What are the restrictions on alcohol in Paris?

No temporary restrictions are being enforced by the Paris Police Headquarters within Paris or the Greater Paris area this weekend. Takeaway sales and service on authorised outdoor terraces at bars and restaurants remain unchanged. Regular hydration with water is strongly recommended at the same time.