A Scorching Summer: The 2024 Heat Wave in Southern France

The summer of 2024 has brought an intense and unprecedented heatwave to Southern France, especially in the Bordeaux region where we’ve been doing our best to stay cool. Temperatures have soared to record-breaking levels, surpassing anything this area has faced before, with July and August seeing relentless highs. Most days have been a staggering 14 to 23 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than in previous years, making it a real challenge to cope with the sweltering conditions. Today, the temperature is expected to

reach a blistering 102 degrees at 5:00 p.m..

This year’s heatwave has taken us into unfamiliar territory, with prolonged high temperatures that have really tested our endurance. The relentless heat has made daytime almost unbearable, driving us to seek shade, rooting for every small breeze to pass through the house. Even Frankie has been affected, with her usual energy drained by the intense warmth. Our saving grace has been a room air conditioning unit in the main bedroom, which we keep on the lowest setting all night to help us sleep.

One of the biggest challenges we’ve faced is the widespread lack of central air conditioning in France. Unlike in the U.S., where central air conditioning is a standard feature in most homes and public buildings, it’s far less common here. French homes often rely on natural ventilation, with thick stone walls and shutters designed to keep interiors cool. While these traditional methods have worked well in the past, they’ve proven insufficient against this summer’s unyielding heat. With only the air-conditioned main bedroom to retreat to, we’ve had to get creative—keeping windows open, and making frequent trips to cooler, shaded areas to find some relief.

Our daily routines have changed dramatically as a result. Outdoor activities, which we usually enjoy with Frankie, have been drastically curtailed. We’ve had to adjust our walks to the early mornings when the temperatures are more tolerable. Her paws cannot possibly tolerate the asphalt past 9:00 a.m.. The heat has even impacted our interactions with the local community, as everyone seems to be conserving energy and staying indoors during the hottest parts of the day.

In the midst of all this, we’re enduring the summer with a mix of resilience and hope—resilience in adapting to these challenging conditions, and hope that future seasons will bring some relief. Despite the heat, we remain grateful for the beauty and charm of Southern France, and we’re determined to make the most of our time here, even if it means discovering new ways to stay cool.