This year’s heat wave began unusually early, in May, and was followed by three consecutive heat waves in June and July.
First Wave: Around May 21–30, 2026
Second Wave: Around June 17–30, 2026
Wave 3: Early to mid-July 2026
In Paris, a heat wave is defined as three consecutive days with an average daytime high of 31°C or higher and three consecutive days with an average nighttime low of 21°C or higher; heat waves occurred during the second and third waves. Among these, June 24 during the second wave marked the hottest day in French meteorological history, with the national average temperature reaching 30°C for the first time. The French Meteorological Agency issues four levels of heat wave alerts (green, yellow, orange, and red). On the 24th, 72 departments were under the highest-level red alert, and 14 were under an orange alert—the highest number since France’s heat wave alert system was launched in 2004.
During the second wave, Paris experienced a heatwave with temperatures hovering around 35°C for about 11 days, and at the peak of the heatwave, temperatures rose to around 40°C. While the red alert was in effect, tourist attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum, as well as schools and outdoor events, were scaled back or suspended. Although the City of Paris has implemented various measures to combat the heat, it has become clear that air conditioning is not sufficiently available in public transportation, hospitals, and senior care facilities. According to an announcement by French public health authorities, there are an estimated 6,000 excess deaths. Since this figure covers the period up to the second wave, the total number of excess deaths for 2026 is likely to be even higher.
The heat in France isn’t constant; instead, there are waves of intense heat lasting from a few days to about two weeks, followed by cooler periods. Although this was one of the worst heat waves on record, as I write this column in late July, the intense heat has passed, so the high is around 25°C and it’s quite comfortable.
We’ve had heat waves almost every year for the past few years, but according to a survey by ADEME, the French Environment and Energy Management Agency, only 24% of households will have air conditioning by 2025. That’s an increase from 18% in 2023, but it’s still quite low, isn’t it?
According to a survey by the research firm YouGov, interest in installing air conditioners is high in Paris and the surrounding area, with 43% of respondents indicating they “intend to install one,” significantly exceeding the national average of 32%.
While YouGov surveyed about 1,000 people, I also conducted my own “survey of 40 people in my circle.” Most of the respondents were French people living in Paris and the surrounding area, with a diverse mix of genders and age groups. The results showed that 18% currently own some form of air conditioner, 23% plan to buy one in the future, and 60% have no plans to install one. As for the reasons, respondents cited environmental concerns, the ability to cope with the heat through other means, and—among younger people—the high cost of air conditioners.
According to a survey by the energy company Hello Watt, the top three manufacturers of wall-mounted residential air conditioners in France are Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, and Atlantic. While Atlantic is a French brand, Japanese brands are also very strong. However, in apartment buildings in Paris and its suburbs, strict regulations designed to preserve the building’s exterior mean that outdoor units cannot be installed, leaving many households with no choice but to use portable air conditioners. In such cases, Italian brands like De’Longhi and Olimpia Splendid, as well as the more affordable Chinese brands Midea and Comfee (a brand of the Midea Group), are popular.
Speaking of products made in China, on July 2, the discount supermarket Lidl sold approximately 200,000 fans and air-conditioning units. Among them was a portable air conditioner priced at a bargain 179 euros; at some stores, customers flocked to the shops even before opening time, leading to scuffles and police intervention. This portable air conditioner is part of Lidl’s own private label, but it is believed to be manufactured in China.
I really struggled during the first heat wave, when my body wasn’t used to the heat yet, and the second one, when temperatures exceeded 40°C. I was also worried about my cats, who were looking completely exhausted. Since we can’t install an outdoor unit at our house, I quickly looked online for portable air conditioners, but the ones that looked good were sold out everywhere. I also came across a lot of clever scam sites.
Before we knew it, the third wave hit. A red alert was issued, but the general feeling was, “As long as it doesn’t hit 40°C, we’ll be fine!” There’s talk of a fourth wave coming in August, but I feel like we’ll be okay even if it does. I think it’s significant that daytime humidity in Paris during the summer is only about 70% of what it is in Tokyo, but even so, the human body’s ability to adapt is amazing! As for the cats I was worried about, even though they slept a lot when it was hot, they still had plenty of appetite, and now that the heatwave has passed, they’re running around energetically.
After the third wave ended, I went to an electronics store and a home improvement store, and both had plenty of fans and air coolers in stock. The electronics store had just received a small shipment of air conditioners, and some products are starting to reappear online as well.
I’m not planning to buy an air conditioner for my home this year—I’m thinking about it for next summer—but if I do buy one, I’d like it to have a certain level of performance. That said, even though it’s a portable model, it seems to weigh about 35 kg, which is quite heavy, and the noise level is around 65 dB, so it sounds like it would be loud. If I’m looking for quiet operation, I’m currently thinking that either a split-type portable air conditioner with a compact outdoor unit that doesn’t require drilling a hole in the wall, or—as for weight—a lightweight portable air conditioner designed for camping, used exclusively in the bedroom, might be a good option.
Since we’re likely to see more heat waves starting next year and beyond, I think the number of people using air conditioning in France will continue to rise. However, I don’t think it will happen all at once; rather, I imagine it will spread gradually depending on factors such as where people live (whether in the south or north of France, whether they live in a house or an apartment, and if in an apartment, whether on a high or low floor), their age, and their health.
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