Photos: 10 refreshing places to cool off in France

With heatwaves set to continue in France this summer, visitors and locals may want to  seek respite at some of the country’s most beautiful - and refreshing - landmarks.

Several towns and cities around the country are encouraging residents to make the most of shaded churches and cathedrals, with some also extending the opening hours or offering free entry to local swimming pools and cinemas.

From beaches to waterfalls, caves to wine cellars, we share our selection of alternative tourist spots that can also keep you cool.

Arromanches beach

Normandy's coastline measures over 620km, so there are plenty of beaches offering a sea breeze where visitors can go for a cool dip.

One very nice spot is the beach at Arromanches-les-Bains in Calvados, infamous for its role in the Normandy landings.

Paris parks

There are over 400 parks or green spaces in Paris, many of which make great havens from the roasting sun.

One of our favourites is the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in the 19th arrondissement. Built on a quarry it is hilly with a waterfall, bridges and, importantly, a lot of trees providing shade.

A small lake is also located in the park however members of the public are not permitted to enter the water.

Lac de Gérardmer

There are many lakes around France and the Lac de Gérardmer is one excellent example.

It is a glacial lake in Gérardmer (Vosges), located at over 660m above sea level, and it usually takes around 1h30 to walk the 5 km around the perimeter but can take longer if stopping off for a dip in the cool water. 

However, note that swimming in the lake is prohibited outside of marked, supervised areas.

Wine cellars

You can also escape the heat in one of France’s 140,000 wine cellars dotted all around the country, many of which offer tours.

The one pictured below is located in Reims, the unofficial capital of the Champagne wine-growing region

See this Connexion article to discover five troglodyte wine cellars to visit in France.

Note that it is not recommended to consume alcohol during heatwaves.

Mer de Glace

Mountains are a great escape from the heat for those lucky enough to live near them.

What better destination than the ‘Mother of Ice’, a valley glacier on the northern slopes of Mont Blanc in the French Alps.

Visitors can discover an ice cave (about 100m long) located inside the glacier, with exhibits featuring hand-carved ice sculptures and scenes illustrating the life of 19th-Century mountaineers.

Note that this site does have a lot of steps and so requires relatively good mobility. 

Grotte de Choranche

Caves are another perfect place to escape the heat.

The Grotte de Choranche, located in the Parc Naturel Régional du Vercors in the department of Isère, is open all year round and offers guided tours to visitors. 

The site was discovered in 1871 and has been open to the public since 1967.

One of the most impressive stops on the tour includes 'Cathedral Hall', measuring 40m in diameter and nearly 25m in height. It is brought to life by a sound and light show, seeing dancing shapes and colours projected across the walls.

Calanque d'En Vau

The massif des Calanques is a protected national park home to 26 bays, called Calanques, that stretch from Marseille around to Cassis. Each bay is different in size and shape, but they offer excellent swimming spots.

There are new restrictions on how many people can visit the Calanques each day, so if planning a visit you will need to reserve in advance. This is to limit over-tourism and damage to the landscape.

The picture below shows the Calanque d'En Vau, the biggest and perhaps most spectacular of the Calanques.

The Padirac Chasm

The Padirac Chasm is the spectacular opening to a cave system in Lot.

The chasm is 35m in diameter and the great hole drops down over 100m – so it is safe to say it is protected from the sun's rays.

Below, there is an underground river that connects to a vast network that stretches for 55km.

Caves of Sare

Sare in Pyrénées-Atlantiques is one of the most picturesque towns in France and its prehistoric caves are a sight to see.

They are part of the European Natura 2000 network, which aims to maintain biological diversity via a sustainable development approach.

Booking is required to access the caves, with the guided tour lasting 45 minutes along a secure path. 

There is also a museum so you can extend your time out of the sun by even longer.

Le Faouët

Le Faouët is a commune in Morbihan, Brittany, surrounded by beautiful forests and named after beech trees.

The town is so beautiful that it attracted many artists from France and abroad, particularly during the mid 19th Century. 

There is a lot to do in the area, including visiting the chapelle Sainte-Barbe or walking along one of the rivers, such as the Ellé, pictured below.

Let us know of any spots in France that you like to visit on a hot day by emailing news@connexionfrance.com.