Discover in this article:
Paris in the sun, obviously you couldn't ask for better! But when the mercury gets past 30 degrees, it is good to know the best places to get some air and enjoy the coolness!
Discover the best spots in the cool or shaded areas of Greater Paris: museums and air-conditioned cinemas, shaded parks and gardens, hotels with swimming pools, rooftops, restaurants with gardens, walks along the waterfront, cruises on the Seine, swimming spots, ice cream parlours and unusual places. Explore the map and enjoy the summer in peace!
This map lists the different places to cool off: fountains, misters, free swimming areas ... It also classifies parks according to their exposure to the sun. A second version of this map lists cool spots at night.
Paris has 1,200 water fountains, ideal for quenching your thirst on hot days! Paris City Hall has increased its measures to help people stay hydrated, installing 48 water misters and 35 2-in-1 fountains (for drinking and being sprayed with water), as well as 2 new fountains offering water misting and drinking water to walkers in the 4th and 13th arrondissements.
During heatwaves, some museums, monuments and cultural sites may adjust their opening hours for visitors.
Paris’s many parks and gardens are ideal places to find a spot of shade as you explore the city. Classic parks and gardens include the Jardin des Plantes in the 5th, or the Parc des Buttes Chaumont and the Parc Montsouris where you can picnic or stretch out on the grass under a tree.
If you prefer to be seated, the Café des Marronniers, in the heart of the Tuileries, is full of charm. It is a delightful place to relax and serves delicious snacks!
The centre of Paris is also full of more or less secret spots that you’ll love to drop into to cool off; well worth mentioning is the garden of the Musée de la Vie romantique, in the 9th, the Musée Zadkine’s garden in the 6th and the less-well-known gardens of the Archives Nationales, in the Marais. After which you will soon feel revived and ready to set off again!
Feeling thirsty? Have a drink before you stretch out on the grass; it is worth noting that in addition to the 1,200 drinking water points throughout the city, there are also now several self-service sparkling water fountains in many parks and gardens, like the Jardin de Reuilly (12th), the Parc Rives de Seine (Quai Anatole France, 7th) or the Parc Clichy-Batignolles - Martin Luther King (17th).
And if you are yearning for big open spaces, take a trip over to the Bois de Vincennes or the Bois de Boulogne. In the latter, the Jardin d’acclimatation has heaps of fun activities for families, a little zoo, and cafe and restaurant terraces surrounded by greenery, as well as a mist-spray area in summer. Right next door, you can visit the impressive Fondation Vuitton, which has a number of water features integrated into its grounds. After a tour of the Foundation’s contemporary art collections, relax and cool off in the shady grounds of this architectural masterpiece designed by Franck Gehry.
And finally, if you still want some coolness, just head to one of Paris’s greatest tourist attractions: the Catacombes! Moderate temperature guaranteed!
When temperatures rise during the day, Paris by night becomes the perfect time to take a breather, relax and enjoy the capital. As soon as the sun goes down, there are plenty of options for experiencing Paris in the cool of the evening in complete safety, particularly by extending your evenings at the capital’s lively and welcoming venues.
Enjoy the Seine as you stroll along the quays. It’s the perfect opportunity to soak up the summer atmosphere of Paris Plages or discover the entertainment along the river with Paris en Seine. For a drink or dinner high above the city with views of Paris, head up to the rooftops by checking out our selection of the best rooftops in Paris or settle down at the unmissable Parisian terraces that are only open in summer.
To enjoy the cool of the night, mix up your transport options. Treat yourself to some night-time walks through the capital’s historic neighbourhoods, or create your own itinerary using our guide to walks in Paris. If you’d rather enjoy the evening air whilst cycling, why not explore Paris by bike? Finally, for guaranteed maximum refreshment on the river, treat yourself to a cruise on the Seine beneath the illuminated monuments.
⚠️ Good to know in the event of a heatwave: even in the evening, if the temperature remains very high, it is strongly recommended that you limit intense physical activity (such as long bike rides). To enjoy your ride in peace, adjust your pace and drink plenty of fluids regularly without waiting until you feel thirsty.
To find some fresh air, recharge your batteries in the capital’s shaded green spaces or explore the leafy sections of the Petite Ceinture.
💡Throughout the year, 140 parks and gardens are open all night.
During the summer months, certain parks and gardens are open until midnight, including:
💡In the event of a heatwave, seven other large parks will be open exceptionally until midnight:
💡The parks and gardens in Vincennes (except Caniparc on Rue Diderot and the Mail du 8 Mai 1945) will remain open until midnight from 20 June 2026.
Combine a cool escape with culture! Enjoy the air-conditioned comfort of Paris’s museums during late-night openings, and explore one of Paris’s iconic landmarks during extended opening hours (Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, towers of Notre-Dame de Paris...) or settle down on a lawn for a session of cinema under the stars. If you’d rather dance and listen to music outdoors, discover the best open-air venues in Paris.
Fancy a late-night dip? Some Parisian swimming pools extend their opening hours into the evening for welcome night-time swimming sessions. The swimming pools in Greater Paris are following this trend, such as the Auguste-Delaune swimming pool in Saint-Ouen, which is open until midnight throughout the summer.
🗓️ Parisian summer comes alive once night falls! To make sure you don’t miss any of the season’s major night-time events - from open-air festivals to special events by the water - check out our complete guide to things to do in Paris. It’s the essential tool for planning your evenings in the cool of the night, just the way you like it.
When the heat rises in Paris, it's easy to get away without breaking the bank!
Thanks to the public transport network, there are many cool, free places to visit in Île-de-France. Forests, lakes, shady parks... Just a few stops away, you can breathe and relax in the cool air.
A sunny day is also the ideal time to enjoy the wonderful waterways of Paris! With the Seine running through the city, the Canal Saint-Martin and the Ourcq canal basin, Paris has any number of waterside spots.
To fully enjoy the majestic setting of the French capital, hop over to the Rives de Seine, for example. They offer the perfect setting for a beach break, with their palm trees, misters and sunbeds! You can relax, and also have a drink on a cafe terrace, either by the water’s edge, on the quayside, or on a barge, such as the Rosa Bonheur.
In the north-east of the city, the Ourcq canal basin buzzes with life in summer, with activities on the water and its picturesque port atmosphere. It is a great place for having a drink with friends on one of the various barges or a beer at the Paname Brewing Company, and enjoying stunning views of the canal basin. Finally, at Bastille, the quiet little Port de l’Arsenal is a great place to stroll and admire the pleasure boats. And the terrace of Le Grand Bleu is a perfect getaway, far from the traffic, to contemplate the water.
Sunny days are also an ideal time to enjoy Paris by the water! And there are plenty of places to choose from, starting with numerous swimming pools. Some outdoors or with open roofs are hugely popular spots in summer, like for example the Piscine Joséphine Baker, on quai François Mauriac, or the swimming pool at Butte aux Cailles, both in the 13th.
Be a sailor for a few hours and explore Paris’s waterways. You can rent a boat that does not require a boating licence from Akwa. An unusual way to discover the city that is particularly pleasant in hot weather.
And for those who would just like to enjoy the spray of water, there are Paris’s fountains: those at the Parc André-Citroën are a great hit with kids, and the water feature at Place de la République with its jets of water and mister sprays is also much appreciated on hot days.
After all, what could be better than taking a dip in a swimming pool to cool off? Here’s a list of the best places to swim in Paris this summer
From 17 June 2026, swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin will be an option to cool off between 3pm and 9pm during heatwaves.
👉 To enjoy the swimming area on the Canal Saint-Martin in complete safety, please ensure you follow these mandatory guidelines to the letter:
When the heat is on, ice cream is your best friend!
In the Marais, head to Pozzetto to treat your taste buds and cool down at the same time! And if you're in the 6th arrondissement, a visit to Grom is a must.
On Avenue Kleber, you'll find a place to quench your thirst at We are Juice. This mainly organic juice bar is a haven of freshness in western Paris.
On a different note, the patio of the Mosquée de Paris in the 5th arrondissement is a very pleasant place to quench your thirst with a good mint tea. The Manufacture de Glace d'Alain Ducasse, on Rue de la Roquette, is the place to savour the great chef's delicious ice creams and melt with pleasure. Praline and hibiscus, three vanilla or raspberry and redcurrant... the classics and the most original flavours all have their own unique touches. Small stands on Rue des Petits Champs and Rue Cler also offer a few flavours.
> In the event of a heatwave, some museums, monuments and cultural sites may adjust their opening hours for the public.
