France holiday - heatwave

[Lily27]

Just wondering if anyone is travelling to France this week? We had booked a holiday to Provence with our 9yo and I was so excited but looking at the temps of 37-38 degrees I’m panicking a bit and almost tempted not to go. Not sure how to handle or what to do. DP says it will be fine and we will adapt but I don’t want to be trapped in the Airbnb for most of the day! AIBU?

I would also hate this.

what are the night time temperatures like?

Does your Airbnb have aircon and a good sized fridge and freezer?

If not you just need to be prepared to scale down activities and spend your daytime resting and sleeping, get out and about at dawn until mid morning and then in the evening.

You’ll be fine, just go! There’s a heatwave in the uk this week too so you may as well go and enjoy your holiday

my dd is near nice; it's hot muggy and buggy the mosquitoes are driving her to near insanity.
her partner is thinking of leaving her she is being so miserable...and waterfront chairs so expensive.
he does say that "it's lovely in the morning"...thankfully they have a pool, now if only he could get the dishwasher fixed...

It’ll be fine, why on earth would you cancel!? France has been pulling temps like that for a while
now. We have a static down near Bordeaux and it gets very very hot but you are on holiday holiday not commuting to London in a cattle box tube.

I think it depends on your accommodation. We're in France now and it was 42 degrees on Saturday!! I was dreading it but luckily we have aircon and a pool and between both of those it was actually fine. Plus we're in the countryside so very different to 42 degrees in London!

I thought people booked holidays so that they could experience these types of temps......?

There was a thread the other day about camping in Europe in these temps and the replies were overwhelming positive!

Do you have access to a pool? Get up and out early then have a siesta, let DS read, go on the iPad, then enjoy the evening dining outside.

Check the airbnb has a couple of fans.

Enjoy!

If high 30s is beyond the pale for you, I’m not sure why you chose to book the South of France during August… This is not at all unpredictable. Maybe consider Scandinavia next time?

You be fine. Is it an exploring or a poolside holiday?
either way I’d get up earlish and go get breakfast/explore/out by pool from around 8. Go back for lunch at 1 and have a few hours napping/relaxing . Then back out around 4 until evening

or if planning a day trip be inside eating/shopping during the hottest part of the day.

Op we have been in the same area as you - we are well used to hot temperatures and go every year to the SoF.

You are right to be concerned, for the last few years it has been extremely uncomfortable Even with the pool ;(It was too hot to sit outside) and air con didn’t help as I don’t enjoy spending my holidays inside.

It’s always the same reaction on here with France - we love the place,, but it is roasting hot, and the fires are an issue. It is 30c here for one day in UK, and mostly 25-27c which is fine, but pushing 39/40c is a whole different ballgame.

Can you cancel or change the dates? If so, I would and go to the alpine region. It’s still very warm and sunny but not punishing.

The trains and tubes to London are all air conditioned. When was the last time you used one? 1982?

Heading off to the hills outside St Tropez on Friday. About 31°, we can fall out of the bedroom straight into the pool. Can't wait.

You’ll need aircon and pool for sure. Heat builds slowly in France for some reason maybe as they’re an hour ahead so get out 9am til 1ish for any exploring then swim, nap and be indoors or in shade til 7 ish.

They aren't! A few tube lines have air conditioning but many don't and it's fucking miserable during the summer! My trains from outer London to central London are also not air conditioned.

Off topic but the majority of the tube lines are not air con!Have a quick Google or a trip on the Piccadilly.

All of my trains are air conditioned - as is the tube. A few warm days in London won’t kill uou! It’s nothing like 40c and it’s pathetic to compare them.

You haven’t been on the central line recently then have you?

The main issue op is the night time temperatures are regularly 26/27c. It used to drop down at night, but it barely shifts now, and it’s stifling hot all of the time. Here in England the nights are very cool and comfortable comparatively.

I wouldn’t consider going for a second unless your place has very good air conditioning and a pool. Even then it’s going to be challenging and tiring if you enjoy sight seeing and activities of any kind.

Of course you should go.

You are going on holiday so you can adapt your days around what to do when.

It's not like you are there working in the heat or on some strict schedule.

Am just back from Provence. It wasn’t as hot when I was there thankfully, but I go every year and have faced 38-40 degree temps. If you have air con and a pool it will be ok - otherwise it won’t be fun tbh! I sense all the posters dismissing it haven’t been there when it’s that hot!

Also, I can’t think of any london tube lines that have proper air con! 😂Perhaps jubilee is cooler than others, but it’s not like NYC.

I’d go but just load up with a fan (battery operated and the ones you wave in front of you), hats, suncream, long sleeved but airy tops, long sleeved swimming tops, a flask. We had a thing where no matter what we reapplied suncream regularly (as in come on everyone it’s time!!), went to shade and had drinks/ ice pops. And yes do stay in a bit. Try to enjoy op!

Family just been...the heat is manageable if you stay near a pool. The mosquitos were awful. Go prepared but have a lovely holiday

It’s easy to say it’s fine, but it’s hard work and tiring and we found the fires really scary. We go every year for a few weeks, and it does seem to get hotter every year!

Elizabeth line is clearly the place to be in the sumner 😎

Are you joking - Piccadilly line is still waiting delivery of new trains and the central line are trying to refurb ancient trains where the the seats have collapsed and no air con.
Elizabeth line trains have air con but so packed they are still hot (that was as of last month)

The trains in France just stop completely in the heat as the lines and overhead wires expand