Want to know the best things to do on a hot day in Paris? When the sun is out, the French capital bursts to life with people enjoying being outdoors and embracing all of the fun things to do in Paris in summer including rooftop bars, picnics in the parks, alfresco dining and summer festivals. Temperatures in Paris can get very high in the spring and summer, so here’s how to make the most of the heatwave when you’re visiting the City of Light.
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Alfresco Dining
Sit on an outdoor terrace to soak up the sun and enjoy a glass of a crisp white French wine with your meal. Alfresco dining in Paris is quintessential in the summer with quaint, charming boulangeries, bistros, brunch spots and French cafes opening up their outdoor seating areas for hungry customers when the sun comes out. Some favourites include La Fregate, Les Jardins de Bagatelle, and Maison Blanche. With countless affordable alfresco eating options in the city, you’ll never be short of choice.
Alfresco French restaurants
For French food, we recommend Le Valmy near Canal Saint Martin, Les P'tites Indécises near Parmentier (located in a pretty sun-lit square) and Chez Casimir in Gare du Nord - at each of these quaint eateries you can sit outside under the balmy sun and indulge in French classics.
Terraces
For a hearty lunch amongst a lively atmosphere, head to Belushi’s Bar where there’s a beautiful outdoor terrace to enjoy juicy burgers and waterside views of Canal Saint Martin. Or head to A La Folie for a young, edgy crowd where you can enjoy some beers on the vast outdoor terrace.
Enjoy the city parks
While you may think of Paris as a concrete jungle, over 10% of the city is actually made up of beautiful green spaces and parks. The hot weather attracts plenty of locals and tourists to the city parks for summer strolls, to read their books, to walk their dogs or to simply enjoy the sun and have a Parisian picnic. Pop to a local supermarket and buy some french baguettes, ham, wine and cheese. Throw in some macarons and you’re sorted for a lunch in the park. Our favourite parks in Paris for a hot day are Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in the 19th arrondissement, The Tuileries Garden in the 1st arrondissement and Parc de Belleville in the 20th arrondissement.
And Rooftop bars…
Another amazing thing to do in Paris on a hot day is to cool off with a cocktail at one of the city's many rooftop bars. Some of the best in Paris include Le Perchoir Marais, Le Rooftop, and Terrass Rooftop Bar. Want to beat the heat but not break the bank? Head to the affordable terrace at Mama Hotel. The colourful rooftop terrace at the Mama Hotel is the dream in the summer where you can enjoy drinks and play games under the sun including ping pong and table football. There’s even a BBQ!
Hang out by the canal
What’s better on a hot day than cool drinks by the canal? In the summer Canal Saint Martin is buzzing with young locals and working professionals who make the beautiful canalside theirs in the summer. There are plenty of cool bars that line the canal where you can stop for a drink and hang out with friends. Our favourite canalside bars include Point Éphémère, a hipster hang out and Cafe Odilon, a calm summer bar serving up tasty pizzas and an top-notch selection of wines by the canal. Boasting a great view of Quai de la Marne, waterside bars don’t get much better than this.
Taste Paris’ best ice cream
Ice cream is the perfect remedy for any hot day. Cool yourself down on a hot day with one of the best ice creams in the city where you can try inventive flavours, rich classics and gelato that will rock your world. Paris is home to some incredible ice cream parlours such as the famous Berthillion. With more than 60 flavours on offer and a velvety creamy texture, you won’t be disappointed so come here for your ice cream fix. Other spots include Bachir, Pozzetto, and . Vegan options in the city include Amorino Paris and Impronta. Squeeze in time for a tasty treat to beat the heat.