Hello readers,
Lately, every conversation I've had has started the exact same way: "How are you coping with this heat?"
We're in the middle of yet another heatwave - the third in just a few months. It's currently over 30C in Paris, which somehow feels almost manageable compared to the record-breaking temperatures we had in June. Those days were genuinely unbearable.
I'd never really experienced this kind of city heat before. Sure, I've been to hot places on holiday or when visiting my family in Louisiana, but there was always one big difference: air conditioning. Everywhere.
I remember supermarkets being so cold that I'd actually bring a sweater. Maybe a little excessive, but at least there was relief waiting for you indoors. Somewhere along the way, my brain started associating stepping inside a shop, restaurant or someone's home with instant cool air. Paris quickly corrected that assumption.
Here, walking inside often feels... the same. Sometimes even worse. You move from hot pavement to hot café to hot apartment, with very little escape in between.
READ MORE: Why France's new buildings are designed not to have air conditioning
Many studies have shown that extreme heat doesn't only affect us physically - it can also increase anxiety, irritability and mood swings. I can definitely relate. I've felt permanently on edge these past few weeks, where the smallest inconvenience suddenly feels like the end of the world.
The one thing that's pushed me over the edge a couple of times these past few weeks has been the metro. Not all lines are equipped with AC, and boy can you feel it.
READ MORE: Which Paris Metro lines have air con and which are hotter than hell?
Not every line has air conditioning, and you can tell within seconds of stepping onto the platform. During rush hour, everyone squeezes in so tightly that you can literally feel someone else's sweat on your arm. Not exactly the romantic Paris everyone imagines.
Even the simple pleasures of summer lose some of their charm. Sitting on a terrace? You're melting into your chair. Your legs stick to the seat. Someone sits a little too close, and suddenly you're irrationally annoyed. Even ordering a drink doesn't have the same appeal.
Some of my friends have completely abandoned their usual glass of rosé in favour of non-alcoholic options because, honestly, alcohol in this heat just isn't that enjoyable.
READ MORE: Rosé, sparkling and non-alcoholic: The best French wines to enjoy this summer
Alcohol consumption in France has been steadily declining over the past 50 years. The tradition of drinking wine with most meals has faded, and younger generations are drinking less and differently than their parents ever did. It makes you wonder whether summers like this will only accelerate that shift.
But if there's one good thing to come out of this heatwave is the lack of mosquitoes. Experts have confirmed anecdotal evidence that mosquito numbers in France are down on previous years, because although the insects thrive in the warmth of summer, this particular one has been too hot and too dry for them.
However, there's a catch. The invasive tiger mosquito isn't nearly as bothered. It's more resistant to drought, active during the day and likely just waiting for the right conditions to make its comeback. So rather than disappearing altogether, the heat may simply be delaying the arrival of everyone's least favourite summer companion.
For now, though, you can probably sleep with the windows open (whether that actually cools your apartment is another question) without being woken in the middle of the night by that famous buzzing sound.
READ MORE: Why mosquitoes aren't biting (much) in France this summer
Looking ahead, Bastille Day is just around the corner, but the heat is already having an impact. With wildfire risks high across parts of France, several fireworks displays and public celebrations have been cancelled. If you're planning to head out on the 14th of July, it's worth checking what's happening in your area before making plans.
As for me, I'll be escaping to Marseille for the long weekend. I'm hoping for Bastille Day celebrations, cooling off in the sea, and, come back - hopefully - mosquito bite-free.
READ MORE: July 14th: What’s happening during France’s Fête nationale this year
Thanks for reading.
Comments