Paris is hot (and the humidity doesn't help) right now.
I am looking for places to cool off for an hour if I don't have time to return to the hotel to take a shower between morning and evening activities. (I am looking for suggestions such as go to the bon marche supermarket for the air con and picnic items).
I dont have air con in the US (and I dont really like it usually unless the weather is unbearable).
Go to one of the large department stores on Boul. Haussman, Printemps or Galeries Lafayette and have a nice lunch. Galeries Lafayette has a gorgeous dining room on the top floor.
We were there in '03 (and many times before and since) when the temps were 105 for a week or more and honestly, we had a hard time finding a way to cool off. The department stores are not air conditioned so they were even hotter inside, than out. We went to a museum thinking it would be cool, but no, hotter than outside. A boat ride helps, the hop on hop off bus (up top of course), maybe a movie on the Champs Elysees, we sat often at cafe's and had a cold drink, sat in parks, and when we were really desperate and near any kind of grocery store we'd go to the freezer section and put our heads in or use frozen peas to cool off! I'd love to hear if there are some other good ideas...
My daughter and I would go to the restaurant, TGIF, every late afternoon when they would open for their evening meal (around 5 p.m.) Their restaurant is not only air-conditioned, but also operates the same as the U.S.--free drink refills. After a full day of touring Paris in the heat and humidity, we welcomed the a.c. and all we could drink. We would stay as long as we wanted--they don't rush you out. Have fun and keep cool.
When looking at restaurants and cafes, look for signs saying "salle climatisee" meaning "air-conditioned".
You are correct about Bon Marche food building. We always get this fantastic ratatoille = pepper and veggie sandwich and other sides and a drink and go to this little park close to the food building. I cannot remember the name , but is is shady and cool. Also, the Saxe Breteiul market in the 7th is in a very nice big shady square with plane tree and there are some benches. We go to the market and eat in the shade. This market is behind the Ecolie Militaire close to the Rue Cler. This market is open Wednesday or Thursday and Saturday.The Champ du Mars park is nice and shady where the benches are - not in the middle where the grass is.
