Heatwave: how culture allows you to escape heatstroke

When the thermometer panics, it is not always necessary to take refuge in a shopping center or stay cooped up at home. Museums, monuments, libraries or large green spaces offer more pleasant alternatives to get through the hottest hours of the day. Some cities have even developed specific systems to allow residents to enjoy cultural treasures during heatwaves.

Museums, a cool break

It’s difficult to find a better refuge than a museum during a heat peak. Most large institutions are air-conditioned or housed in buildings designed to maintain a relatively stable temperature. It’s an opportunity to slow down the pace, to stroll for several hours sheltered from the sun and to discover sometimes little-known collections.

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In Marseille, Mucem is a particularly interesting option. In addition to its exhibition spaces, the museum offers spectacular views of the Mediterranean and has shaded areas in which to take a break. The establishment also offers free admission to several categories of visitors, notably those under 18 years old. In Paris, the Petit Palais allows you to discover its permanent collections free of charge in a monumental setting. Same principle at the Museum of Modern Art of the City of Paris, whose vast rooms offer a real respite when the city is suffocating in the heat.

Explore the depths of cities

When the heat becomes difficult to bear on the surface, certain visits literally allow you to go deeper. In Paris, the famous Paris Catacombs maintain a temperature of around 14 degrees all year round. An appreciable freshness which is accompanied by a fascinating dive into several centuries of Parisian history.

In Lyon, lovers of unusual heritage can be interested in the mysterious “fish bones” of the Croix-Rousse, a network of underground galleries which continues to fuel the hypotheses of historians. Other tunnels also run through the Fourvière hill and bear witness to the town’s religious, military or strategic past. These places are not all freely accessible, but they remind us that part of the urban heritage is hidden far from the sun and the burning asphalt.

Large parks, islands of freshness

Green spaces remain among the best allies against high heat. The shade of the trees, the presence of water and the vegetation often make it possible to gain several degrees of freshness compared to the more mineral streets. In Lille, the municipality relies heavily on these “points of freshness”. From the yellow heatwave alert level, most large parks remain open continuously until 10 p.m. The city also provides a map listing wooded areas, drinking water points, cool buildings and places for refreshment.

Same solutions in Marseille, where the city has designed routes specially designed to limit exposure to the sun. These “fresh routes” allow you to discover the city while favoring shaded streets, green spaces and rest points. A way to enjoy Marseille’s heritage without suffering the full brunt of summer temperatures which can exceed 35 degrees.

Libraries, little-known refuges

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We rarely think about libraries when it’s hot. However, they are among the most comfortable public places during the summer. Free, quiet and generally well ventilated, they allow you to take a few hours of respite from the urban hustle and bustle. Some also host exhibitions, conferences or screenings.

In Paris, several establishments stand out by their size or their architecture. The National Library of France, the François-Mitterrand site, impresses as much with its monumental architecture as with its reading rooms bathed in natural light. The Sainte-Geneviève library, with its spectacular 19th century room^e century, offers one of the most beautiful reading experiences in the capital. For those looking for more calm, the Forney Library, located in the Hôtel de Sens, combines freshness, heritage and collections devoted to decorative arts.

A cinema screening to bring down the temperature

Cinema is one of the simplest solutions to occasionally escape the heatwave. A few minutes after leaving the street, the spectator generally finds a temperature around 19°. Multiplexes, like independent cinemas, also offer the advantage of being present in most large cities. For movie buffs, certain Parisian cinemas add the charm of heritage to thermal comfort. The Grand Rex, with its monumental nave, or the Luxor, famous for its neo-Egyptian decor, allow you to combine business with pleasure during the most sultry days.

If the cinema offers a welcome break away from the heat, the experience nevertheless remains limited to the duration of the session. Unlike a museum, a library or a shady park, it is difficult to spend an entire afternoon there without watching a series of screenings.

A little common sense

The health authorities regularly remind us: on the hottest days, the objective is not necessarily to increase activities. Closing shutters and windows during the day, ventilating during the night and favoring travel early in the morning or in the evening remain the most effective ways to limit the effects of heat.

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Cultural outings therefore often benefit from being considered as one-off refuges rather than as excursions in the middle of the afternoon. A museum in the morning, a library after lunch or a walk in a park in the evening allow you to enjoy summer without facing the most grueling hours