When the temperatures spike into “canicule” heatwave levels (like the one we’ve been having this week), the city of Paris opens several municipal parks until midnight where you can go to cool off without resorting to air-conditioning.
Green Spaces Open 24/7 All Year
While there are technically 140 Parisian “green spaces” that are open 24/7 year-round, many of these are actually little squares with a few planters, maybe a park bench, and hopefully even a few trees. So not all of them have grass, let alone lawns where you can spread out your blanket under the trees to enjoy the cooler temperatures. They’re usually open 24/7 because they simply don’t have any enclosures to “close” them at nightfall, or they’re actually just an area where the sidewalk is suddenly much wider, like at street intersections.
Having said that, a few on this list are adorable little gardens almost hidden from view, so it’s worth having a look in your favorite arrondissement to see if there’s one you missed: lieux/parcs-jardins-et-bois/tous-les-horaires
Park & Gardens Open Until Midnight in Summer
From July 4th until September 6th, these 14 parks, gardens and square are open 7am-midnight (with additional park security services). This corresponds to the time of summer when many Parisians leave town for vacation, so it’s a bit of a gift (like Paris Plage) for those who stay in the hot, sticky city all summer.
Additional Parks and Gardens Open During Heatwaves
In the event of a canicule (heatwave) or high temperatures over several days, six additional parks and gardens are open until midnight. This will usually be announced on the City Hall (Mairie de Paris) website:
Safety Precautions
These parks are meant to be open during daylight hours and therefore have limited lighting, especially in the larger parks — Montsouris, Monceau, Clichy-Batignolles, Brassens, and Buttes Chaumont — that are also places where birds and other wildlife need darkness). So bring a flashlight if you don’t want to rely on your phone, stick to the paths, and wear sturdy shoes in case you trip on a rock.
It also shouldn’t be forgotten that crime happens in Paris like any big city with a lot of people. And in dark places with a lot of hiding places, you’ll want to remain vigilant. There are usually lots of families and groups of friends or people walking their dogs at night in the parks, so you might get a false sense of security. I don’t recommend walking alone in parks at night unless you stick to the most well-lit areas (the sign here for Parc Montsouris even shows which areas to avoid after dark, in orange).
Not all gates are open after dark, either, so be sure to look closely at the “Ouverture Nocturne” sign on the fence to see which entrances — and therefore exits — you can use, and plan your stroll accordingly.
How to Stay Hydrated
You can also find the full list of public drinking fountains — including sparkling water! — on the Eau de Paris website.
Note: Although picnicking is fine, don’t forget that glass containers of any kind are not allowed, and alcohol is usually not allowed, either. For more info read “Are you sure you know the drinking laws in France?”
