Heatwave in Paris: Where to Cool Off When It’s Too Hot

Sweltering in the city? The Do It Team has you covered! To survive Paris’ hottest days, we’ve rounded up our best summer-proof tips: mist-cooled terraces, icy indulgences, and most importantly—fully air-conditioned escapes. From cult museums and cool restaurants to metro lines and boutiques that let you browse in blissful chill, here’s your ultimate guide to staying fresh in the French capital.

Top spot : Line 14

Paris' sleekest metro line comes with next-gen air conditioning—no more sweaty commutes. Hop on and enjoy a cool city-crossing ride. Bonus: it now runs to Orly Airport.
Cool itinerary: Check out the new Hôtel Charmant at Mairie de Saint-Ouen, sip a Spanish aperitivo at Montijo (Pont Cardinet), grab a bite at Hasard (Saint-Lazare), then catch a flick in one of the 27 air-conditioned theaters at Forum des Halles.

Line 14, from Saint-Denis – Pleyel to Orly Airport.

Top spot: Cocoricains

Craving a burger or pancakes with bacon? Head to Cocoricains near Grands Boulevards, where you’re greeted by a blast of cool air and a diner-style interior straight out of a movie. On the menu, let yourself be tempted by the favorite specialties of Chris and Greg, two passionate French-American founders serving up fried chicken (€17.50), mac & cheese (€15.50), crispy Caesar salad (€16.90), carrot sticks, and cornbread—not to mention a banana bread (€6.90) and a cheesecake (€7.90) for dessert. You’ll feel so comfortable you will never want to leave.

Cocoricains, 6 rue Saint-Marc, Paris 2nd

© Salomé Rateau

The top spot: terraces with misting systems!

Desperate times call for desperate measures! Among the Parisian terraces that unleash their giant misting systems when the temperatures soar, here are our absolute favorites. On the banks of the Seine near the BnF, Plat/Form (14 port de la gare, Paris 13th) hosts DJ sets from Thursday to Sunday. All week long, you can sip on bold cocktails and enjoy the sustainable dishes of Romain Brechignac (homemade tarama €9, Fine de Claire oysters €13.50…). Over in the Marais, the legendary Pick Clops café (16 rue Vieille du Temple, Paris 4th) stands out from afar with its blue and yellow striped awnings and 1950s decor. We love sitting here for breakfast with a fresh juice and a croissant, or raising a glass and biting into a sandwich, even when it’s boiling hot! Because insiders know the secret: François, the boss, turns on the water misters whenever needed to cool down his stylish crowd. Top tip: the Sunday jazz concerts. Are you more Left Bank? Head over to the Mouffetard area at Café Delmas (2 place de la Contrescarpe, Paris 5th), which serves ice-cold cocktails, avocado toast on brioche bread (€21), and Berthillon ice cream sundaes (pistachio sundae €13.50). 

© Café Delmas

The top spot: the trendiest ice cream parlors in Paris.

This heatwave is the perfect excuse to eat ice cream on repeat. And why not? Our favorite Parisian spots have just launched new, heavenly creations! The most surprising one can be devoured at La Combine (44 Rue de Lancry, 75010 Paris), near the Canal Saint-Martin, which offers different soft-serve ice cream flavor combinations every week: apricot-oolong tea, tonka bean-rosemary almond, rhubarb-orange blossom, buckwheat-sea salt… The combinations are set in advance, bringing a delightful surprise with every visit (€6 per cup). Our ultimate crush goes to the first boutique by Pedone (51 rue des Petits Champs, Paris 1st), which is already making quite a buzz near the Opéra Garnier. They serve extraordinary hazelnut, almond, or pistachio affogati, an addictive Brioche al Gelato (€8.50), a milkshake-style frappé, and, of course, incredibly creamy gelati and sorbetti (starting at €5). 

© Pedone x The Travel Buds

The top spot: cryotherapy centers.

An ancestral practice recognized for its health benefits since the 19th century, exposure to cold is today a widespread, safe, and professional practice in wellness centers. Highly popular among athletes who use it for muscle recovery, ice baths and cryotherapy are now accessible to everyone, and for good reason: the benefits are endless. To reduce stress, boost the immune system, improve blood circulation, decrease inflammation, regulate sleep, and boost mental well-being, head to Octane (7 rue La Fayette, Paris 9th), Paris Ice Club (32 rue de Trévise, Paris 9th), or Kupala (20 rue de Vouillé, Paris 15th). 

© Octane

The top spot: The Louvre.

Spanning 220,000 m², you’ll have plenty of space to clear and cool your mind in the most visited museum in the world. Ideally, treat yourself to a 1.5-hour guided tour through the greatest masterpieces of the Louvre. And until July 20th, wander among the most beautiful sculptures by the great masters Rodin and Michelangelo. Musée du Louvre, rue de Rivoli, Paris 1st.

Musée du Louvre, rue de Rivoli, Paris 1st 

If you’re going to spend your money during the summer sales, you might as well do it in the coolest department store of the year, a spot envied by fashion editors worldwide. Meet us at Galeries Lafayette Champs-Élysées. Designed as an XXL concept store with a highly curated selection, you will find limited-edition colorful sneakers, racks of Ganni dresses, and highly desirable collections signed by Jacquemus or Comme des Garçons. 

Galeries Lafayette, 60 avenue des Champs-Élysées, Paris . 

The top spot: EPISOD.

No, we haven't lost our minds. We swear you would rather sweat in a cool environment than die of boredom at home in 35°C perceived temperatures this afternoon. A high-intensity workout will actually work wonders. At EPISOD, they’ll put you through your paces with urban bootcamp, cycling, or Athletic Training. But we bet you’ll bless the coach capable of sculpting your bikini body in a room where the air conditioner is set to a highly pleasant 21°C. The session will feel like a total breeze. The perk: you can find studios all over Paris—Nation, République, Place de Clichy, Bourse…

EPISOD, 23 studios in Paris. Starting from €39 for 2 sessions.

The top spot: Coiffirst.

You’ve never wanted a hot blow-dry so bad! Take advantage of the heatwave to lounge for hours in the Coiffirst salon on Rue du Four, which features heavy-duty air conditioning and welcomes all the stars of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The ultimate luxury? Go all out: cut, blow-dry, and highlights while binge-watching your favorite series. 

Coiffirst,  44 rue du Four, Paris 6th arrondissement. 

The top spot: Daroco.

At first glance, ordering a gourmet pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven right before your eyes in 33°C weather sounds like pure madness. Unless… Daroco, opened by Julien Ross and Alexandre Giesbert, is the most extraordinary pizzeria in Paris. And with good reason: the Parisian elite flocks to the stunning setting of Jean Paul Gaultier’s former workshops in the Galerie Vivienne. On the menu: all the ultimate Italian comforts like a Vitello Tonnato (€19), Margherita pizza (€13), and pistachio tiramisu (€11). Daroco, 6 rue Vivienne, Paris 2nd. © Benoit Linero

Daroco, 6 rue Vivienne, Paris 2e. Open daily from 12pm to 3pm and from 7pm to 11pm. Online reservations or 01 42 21 93 71.

© Benoit Linero

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