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 think this is a statement southern Europe really needs to start thinking about.

20 years ago the conversation was ‘yes off to Greece next week, temperature mid 30s, can’t wait’ but the last few years it’s been regularly hitting 40s which is crazy and actually becoming dangerously hot.

I’d Still go but plan my days in 2 halves. Morning touristy things 6-11am. Back for a siesta by the pool in the air conditioning then back out again around 4/5 for a mooch and evening meal. Avoid still water areas in the evenings for the mossies.

Mad dogs and Englishman go out in the mid day sun, it’s definitely getting to a point of not any more.

@Inshockandsome - ahh the Lizzie line is the business! 😄

Yes quite agree it seems to be getting hotter each year in Provence. First world problem I know, but it even makes fun holiday things like visiting markets too much - not ideal…

At the end of July, actually. No air conditioning on the tube and 30+ temperatures at 8.00 in the morning.

The lack of air conditioning in most tube trains is well known - I’m surprised you’ve missed it.

The issue is the way air conditioning works - to cool the inside of a vehicle / building the units vent hot air to the outside. There are no additional vents to move hot air from the tunnels / platforms to the outside air on most tube lines due to the age of the tube and on the central London lines the trains spend much of their time with the doors open anyway.

They also can’t retrofit the carriages due to lack of space in the tunnels.

If you’ve got AC and a pool you’ll be fine. We’re just back from the Med where it was mud 40s.

Perhaps you could have a day trip to the mountains or sea. Depending on where you are in Provence? We were there 20 years ago (with baby) and I still recall the difference when we returned via the alps.

Heading off today to Paris. Bit worried but the weather will take it easy and plan out rest breaks.

Currently at my house on france and its 38. No air con but manageable as french houses are set up for heat with shutters and thick walls. We spend every day at the local swimming lake. Free of charge which the kids adore and keeps everyone cool.

Definitely go!

It’s getting too hot in Southern Continental Europe for a holiday in July and August. Next to the beach in some areas is okay as there can be strong winds (Portugal springs to mind) but my word, inland is another level.
OP - I would break up the day in two as a PP suggests. A long nap after lunch is the business and sets up the second half nicely. But hopefully there is aircon too.

pS edited to say DC is in France inland and is struggling to sleep or even function during the day. They’re also hanging out at lakes.

I love Provence and the south in general but the heat feels oppressive in the summer now. Even ten years ago it was nothing like this. It might be my imagination but the mosquitoes have grown in size, and are huge.

Once we are out of exam stages, we might start going at the end of May again. Everything is fresh and it is still warm.

The restaurants have also gone down hill - even the Michelin starred suppers have been incredibly expensive and really not impressive. Basic restaurants churning out very substandard fare. The expansion of fast food outlets seem to be the only culinarily advancement lately. Not to expand the thread into a moan about France. Tuscany on the other hand is going through a good patch, still just as hot though, but with a breeze outside of Florence.

Head for the mountains op.

I’ve been there in 36 degree heat and it was ok. We had an aircon unit in the living room so left all doors open at night. Were out late in the evenings anyway, in the daytime we went into the hills where it was cooler or were visiting places and it was manageable

@Inshockandsome. If only! Some trains have air con but far from all.

Record numbers are holidaying at home this year for good reason - the weather has been glorious in England.

Every day it is sunny and warm. Swimming, picnics and beautiful beaches are all accessible to everyone. Parts of Cornwall and Devon will give the Caribbean a run for its money at this time of year.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c939gx4gqwpo.amp

Well you’ve just made yourself look a bit silly haven’t you. So the central line is air conditioned is it?

We're off to Paris at the end of the week, our host has said that they have a heat alert for the rest of the week.

We've had few things booked in.the afternoons, as there simply was.no other availability.

Sounds like the Eiffle Tower has closed access to the top level, you can only get as high as the 2nd floor.

Dreading it, slightly.

they are not. The newer lines on the tube might have air con, but trust me, most do not and it’s absolutely boiling down there. Not all over ground do either, south west trains have no air con.

We were in Northern Spain when it hit 40c last year. Its normally 20-30 so pools and aircon not the norm. Fortunately we had a pool. It's amazing how cold water makes the heat bearable.

If you haven't got Aircon it will be hard.

www.cornwall-beaches.co.uk/helston-lizard-falmouth/kynance-cove.htm

We are in south of France and was 42 yesterday. We went on a boat trip and walked up to a castle (that was hard going). But we stopped regularly and drank water. The mosquitos are something else. 32 bites the first night.

@Inshockandsome - don’t wish to hijack this into a ‘let’s chat about Provence’ thread 😂 but we also rarely eat out there. Too expensive and what you can buy in supermarkets to have at home is SO good.

Gotta say though, while the UK can be beautiful in summer, I’m not really a fan of domestic holidays! Everywhere is rammed and there are way too many crappy Cornwall holiday lets that are about the same price as French villas!

An suggestion of some reading for your holiday 😳

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Heat-Will-Kill-You-First/dp/0316497576

Hope the link works, it is a brilliant and accessible book about (you guessed it) climate change. We probably need to get used to not holidaying in Southern Europe unless we're prepared for perpetual heat waves. And we probably need to stop flying there but that's another thread...

It depends @Lily27 . If you have got AC in your room and a pool you will ve fine. I wouldn't go if no AC though..

I’m in France now and honestly, it’s too hot and I’m not having fun! But I don’t have air-conditioning or a pool and the fan isn’t cutting it.

I lived in London for 35 years. Left 5 years ago. The tube was horrendous in the heat. People would faint. You needed a shower when you got to work.

Good to know they've all been air conditioned in the past 5 years 😅

I love French supermarkets.❤️

No - jubilee is also hell. I think some district line trains and the Elizabeth line are the only airconditioned ones. The majority of people commute in overheated hotboxes! I took southwestern rail last week out of London too which I can confirm also did not have airconditioning!

FWIW I'm at home in SW France ATM, in one of MeteoFrance's red for heatwave departments.

Yesterday was a bit demanding for a while at well over 40 but the mornings are glorious, it's 21 celsius right now.

There's much talk of these temps being a new thing but locally at least we're still seeing temp records from the 2003 heatwave either still standing or only just being broken.