Some like it hot

Beat the heat in The City of Love and hole up à deux for a sizzling night (or two - why not?) at one of the capital's many air-conditioned hotels - ask if the hotel is climatisé or has climatisation. Indoor swimming pool, cocktail bar and spa a plus.

Above: afternoon room service

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The heat is on. Again. But you won't hear that refrain on everyone's lips these days, "Il fait chaud!", coming from me. In comparison to summers I've known in Arizona (dry), New York (humid), the South of France chez my French in-laws (cigales chirping in unison each evening), Morocco (early errand runs) and Spain (¡Ay, que calor!) - and how about those five weeks in India? - Paris' brief canicules seem almost tame. It helps living in an airy apartment / artist's loft in always-slightly-cooler Montmartre in a well-insulated historic building. A plus: an interior courtyard with shade trees reduces the need for AC; a fan will suffice as temperatures rise. 

 

Some tips for keeping your cool in Paris:

Sip water throughout the day (skip ice-cold and sugary drinks), take cool showers, avoid caffeine, heavy physical activity, and the métro. Uber and G7 taxis are your friends - they usually have AC. Get your errands and sightseeing done early while it’s still fresh out, stay out of direct sunlight, and if possible, nap during hottest hours (in other words, copy cats). More: libraries, parks, gardens, churches - search: air-conditioned spaces open to the public Paris. Come evening, treat yourself to a tall cool one.

 

Pro tips: The city’s many chocolate shops, larger movie theaters and supermarkets (Carrefour, Champion, G20, Franprix etc.) all have strong AC - sometimes so strong the cashiers are wearing sweaters. Keep shutters and windows closed during the day to block out the heat. Or, if you can, head to the mountains. - BPJ

 

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Fans / ventilateurs
  Space air conditioners / climatiseurs available at:

Darty, Castorama, Conforama, BHV, Bricorama, Mr. Bricolage, Leroy Merlin, Lidl

Moon lighting

This month's full moon over the Basilica from a friend's Montmartre terrace.

Good morning pastry

A new crop of breakfast pastries is muscling out traditional croissants au beurre and pains au chocolat.

Above: a buttery kouign-amann made with cinnamon, hazelnuts, and, quelle surprise, peanuts

Bike on white

A white bicycle against a white wall in the 14th arrondissement.

L'art de vivre

L'art de vivre is a quintessentially French concept. It’s a love of life’s small things and quiet pursuit of beauty, in mind as well as body. It’s taking pleasure in ordinary gestures, whether preparing a cup of tea or selecting the perfect stationery. - BPJ

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Adapted from:

L'Art de Vivre - Barbara Pasquet James

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- With a special thanks to Linda Gray, beautiful in every sense of the word -

 

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I think everything in life is art. What you do. How you dress. The way you love someone, and how you talk. Your smile and your personality. What you believe in, and all your dreams. The way you drink your tea. How you decorate your home. Or party. Your grocery list. The food you make. How your writing looks. And the way you feel. Life is art. - Actress Helena Bonham Carter

Une vie romantique

Tucked away behind Place Pigalle, the gardens of the Musée de la Vie Romantique are perfect for a relaxed afternoon of tea and pastries. 

Below: inside the museum

La Musée de la Vie Romantique

16 rue Chaptal 75009

On its own

In Italy pasta is usually a starter, not main, course, as in the U.S. But this foie gras-filled ravioli with a white truffle cream sauce would be an exception.

Where to find it
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