Cafe de Flore, 172 boulevard Saint Germain, 75006
The French, it seems, are not big on air conditioning, nor fans for that matter. Before I moved permanently to Paris, I would rent apartments in the city and during the summer months I often had to make a special request of the owner to purchase a fan for the apartment because there was never one to be found on the premises. They owners thought of it as a rather unusual request, like I was asking for a baby dinosaur shaped tea infuser, (yes, they do exist), but ultimately they did kindly oblige.
I was talking with the cheese-monger one day at the local, covered farmers market. It gets super hot for the folks working behind the stall because there are currents of hot air exiting from the motors of the refrigerators that keep the cheeses on display cool. I asked him why they didn’t have any fans and he made the typical French pouty lip and expressed that, “fans just blow the hot air around.” Obviously, the French are not convinced about the efficacy of fans. I however, am a true believer in them and I have no less than three of them in my little studio apartment here in Paris.
Air conditioning here in Paris is also not that common, although it is becoming more so, and finding an air conditioned restaurant.
We are already experiencing a second heatwave so far this summer, and there are more hot days to come so Flavors of Paris has sussed out for you, some restaurants around Paris where you can escape the heat and enjoy a good meal.
1st
ENGLISH BAR AT HOTEL REGINA €€€
Open everyday from 10.30am to 12am
2 Place des Pyramides, 75001
Tel. +33 (0)1 42 60 31 10
4th
BOFINGER €€€
French restaurant
Open every day.
5-7 Rue de la Bastille, 75004
Tel. +33 (0)1 42 72 87 82
6th
CAFE DE FLORE (upstairs) €€€
Classic, French cafe and menu.
Open every day.
172 boulevard Saint Germain, 75006
Tel. +33 (0) 1 45 48 55 26
UN DIMANCHE A PARIS €€€€
French European
Open every day.
4 Cour du Commerce Saint Andre, 75006
Tel. +33 (0)1 56 81 18 18
Restaurant, French cuisine
Open every day.
171 Boulevard du Montparnasse, 75006
Tel. +33 (0)1 40 51 34 50
Open every day.
4 Carrefour de l’Odeon, 75006
Tel. +33 (0)1 43 26 67 76
11th
THE BLUE ELEPHANT €€€€
Thai restaurant
Open every day.
45 Rue de la Roquette, 75011
Tel. +33 (0)1 47 00 42 00
5th
ASSIETTES AUX FROMAGES €€-€€€
Savoyards specialties
Open every day.
25 rue Mouffetard, 75005
Tel. +33 (0)1 43 36 91 59
7th
DOMAINE D’OLLEAC €€-€€€
Traditional cuisine from the French Pyrenese mountains.
Open every day.
20 rue Rousselet , 75007
Tel. +33 (0)1 45 66 88 23
8th
L’AVENUE €€€€
Restaurant
Good variety of dishes.
Open every day.
41 Avenue Montaigne, 75008
Tel +33 (0)1 40 70 14 91
LES COCOTTES ARC DE TRIOMPHE €€€
Michelin rated restaurant
2 Avenue Bertie Albrecht, 75008
Tel. +33 (0)1 53 89 50 53
MAISON BLANCHE €€€€
Michelin rated. French/European cuisine.
Open every day.
15 Avenue Montaigne, 75008
Tel, +33 (0)1 47 23 55 99
14th
CAFE BOHEME €€-€€€
Open every day.
Casual. Good burgers.
19 Boulevard Edgar Quinet, 75014
Tel. +33 (0)1 43 27 01 33
Escape the heat and eat tips:
Higher end hotels often have restaurants that have air conditioning so they are often a good option.
The larger Monoprix’, a chain of grocery stores in Paris, have a section with sandwiches, salads, sushi, pastries, and other food items for purchase and a place to eat are all air conditioned. It’s an option for a quick low-cost lunch in an air-conditioned space.
Please note that we at Flavors of Paris do our best to give you the most current information, however, we recommend that you call or check the websites of the recommended restaurants before your visit to confirm availability and business hours.
