Heatwave - dreading holiday in Paris next week

[HotGrapefruit]

DH and I are booked to go to Paris next week. The average highs in June are around 23 degrees, which is about the max I can handle. But the forecast is up to 40 every day. This wasn't what we were expecting at all.

I'm dreading it. The metro doesn't have aircon and neither do any of the places I've booked to eat (I've now cancelled them all). We had an assortment of walking routes planned, but none are going to be realistic.

We've spent a fortune on a lovely hotel room and Eurostar travel, so I can't bear to cancel the whole thing.

Does anyone have advice or reassurance or am I just going to absolutely hate it?!

Seems bonkers to cancel all the restaurant bookings; what else are you going to do, traipse the streets looking for somewhere with air con?

What else can you do but take it as it comes. If it’s too hot to walk about, get a drink and people watch.

Unfortunately we'd booked lunches each day and the restaurants were across the city (we'd planned to walk to them). In the high-30s that just isn't do-able for us (in our 50s/60s).

We were transiting through Paris and stuck in a 40 degree plus Gare du Nord for hours in the heatwave a couple of weeks ago. What kept us sane was a paper fan and a continuous mist spray bottle (you can buy these from places like Poundland). Spray all over your face, neck and arms then fan like mad. You will instantly feel cool. Repeat every few minutes.
Also sit in the shade with an icy drink. Some cafes have mist spraying parasols these days.

I went to Rome the other year, it was 40 degrees and the sweat was just running down my face (I'm also in my 50s) but once you accept that's how it is you'll be fine. We saw all the sights, drank loads of water, and went into all the air conditioned shops on our way around the city to cool off!
If you decide you're going to hate it, you'll hate it. If you decide to make the best of things you'll be fine. Just remember big hat, sunscreen and lots of water while you're out and about!

Cancelling everything is crazy. I have a medical condition that causes heat intolerance, I struggle with anything over 18°c but even I think you’re being ridiculous.

Many places will have air conditioning or at least fans, get yourself a neck fan and a misting bottle, thin clothing and you’ll be fine. Use Taxis instead of walking if you need to.

Alternatively would your husband want to go on his own? I wouldn’t want to ruin my partners holiday just because of the weather, especially given it could change in that time. I have one weather app showing temps of 37-39 for that week and another that says 30-31.

How do you know none of them have air-con?

I live here. They’re closing schools on the Monday due to the canicule.

I don’t understand your reasoning for cancelling restaurants. Just get to them by metro if you don’t want to walk.

Some metro lines have air con; not sure who told you that. Opt where possible for the RER A, and the newer lines like the 14. The Paris metro is very fast, so you can totally avoid walking. Mineral water spray bottles are cheap in the supermarket; I travel everywhere with one in my bag.

Opt for churches, parks and museums. Paris has stunners.

We were in Paris over the May half term holiday and it was well over 30 degrees every day. I was also very worried because our apartment didn't have air conditioning but we coped.

Some tips:

• Don't over plan. We got out early and did one thing and spent the heat if the day back at the apartment before going out again for evening meal.
• Keep to the shade and wear hats (or parasol) and loose clothing
• Some of the Metro lines are air conditioned so plan your routes accordingly
• Keep hydrated. Paris has loads of water fountains to fill your bottle (think there's a map online with location)
• Take a hand held fan everywhere (battery or Spanish)
• Close all the windows, blinds and curtains in your accomodation during the day and only open at night
• You could eat in restaurants with a/c but we found shady outdoor dining fine

I'm sure there's more but those would be my top tips. You'll be fine as long as you're prepared to adapt your plans to the heat. Bon voyage!

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It is pretty easy to find shade in Paris. The side street are usually narrow and between mid-rise buildings and the wide avenues are often tree-lined.

cancelling reservations seems bonkers. You will still need to eat. Uber is widely available in Paris and many of the cars will be air conditioned. And the standard Paris taxis are often older but at least you can put down the window.

You seem determined that it will be awful but just take things a little slower to account for the heat and enjoy your trip.

I think my heat tolerance has actually improved as I’ve got older - we had 42 degrees on a Greek island and in Athens in early July 2 yearsago and I was fine - sought shade a lot, did 2 hours in hotel room with books 2 till 4 , had a most fan in handbag, kept alcohol consumption down more than usual on holiday and actually didn’t struggle at all - I woukd avoid tons of traipsing around though and the metro , maybe rethink those aspects a bit, stay a little more local, get cabs etc

I looked them up! To be fair it was only two, but neither had aircon and in fact reviews said to avoid them in the heat. Totally put me off. I don't mind getting somewhere if I can cool down, but not to sit there feeling hot.

Just eat outside in shady side streets. It all sounds very dramatic!

I've only cancelled the restaurants and I really don't think I could cope with them.

I would LOVE my husband to go and have a great time on his own, but he won't. So I'm determined to make the most of it but I am VERY heat intolerant.

I’ve been in Paris in 35 degrees and actually it wasn’t that bad. Walk along the shady side of the pavement, find shade under trees in a park, the museums and shops will be air conditioned and the restaurants might spray a fine mist in their outside areas to cool the air down (they do this in Greece). Avoid polyester clothes, stick to cottons, keep hydrated, avoid sugar, and good luck!

Just bucking the trend here. I absolutely hate high temperatures and hot days in cities are just the worst. Can you cancel the trip? I just don’t see what is enjoyable about Paris in high 30s (and I adore Paris)

Are you anxious generally op? Try not to overthink, I think you will be ok, it's only temporary. I wouldn't cancel anything, just wear cotton and linen which covers you loosely, hat, lots of water and salty snacks. It'll be fine (looking at you Japan in midsummer... Very tough going, but possible, and holidays are worth it for the fun and memories).

I am seriously pondering cancelling, but we've spent SO much on it, I can't bear the thought of it. Trying to be green by going by Eurostar added nearly 1k once you throw in our journey on the UK side.

I'm not anxious other than about heat. I have become very intolerant to it since hitting 50, it makes me feel awful. I did all sorts of travel when younger and it didn't bother me but now I can't bear it. I always avoid Europe in the summer but though I could get away with June in Paris (and normally it would be fine!).

I did Italy once in the middle of a heatwave. We just had long lazy days at home and then ventured out in the afternoon, post 3pm once it began to cool down. Had a lovely holiday - perfect blend of relaxing and sight seeing. I’m sure Paris doesn’t ‘close’ in the evenings!

We've been to Paris in a similar heatwave. It was very sticky and hot at night and I did struggle but we were in a small top floor AirBNB with no A/C and not even a fan! We went to one of the big parks in the evening - loads of people were there lying on the grass with bottles of wine and it was actually really pleasant and markedly cooler there. On the banks of the Seine as well they set up cooling stations with misting sprays and deckchairs which were welcome. Boat trips are also good as it's cooler on the water.

Take a small light umbrella and do like the Japanese, it will shade you outdoors. I bought one on a trip to Sri Lanka many years ago and it was a godsend on the hottest days.

Neck fans.

I’ve spent August in Tokyo (40-odd degrees, the highest of high humidity) and a neck fan makes it completely bearable to keep wandering around.

No, but the forecast is that it will be over 30 degrees until 2 a.m.! Which is certainly unusual.

The mornings are cooler but I was surprised that most of the attractions don't open until 10ish - but then Paris isn't used to this kind of heat I guess, not like Spain would be.

I have ordered a neck fan!