Would you say it is absloutely nessesary to have air conditioning in July? I was looking at the Hotel Familia and I liked the idea of the balcony and overlooking the rooftops, but no air. Can somebody give me their opinion on this hotel or maybe another with the same kind of balcony/view. $100 - 170 Euros.<BR>Thank You!

dollface<BR><BR>We had mid-eighties to nineties 3 yrs ago in mid-July. Moderate humidity. The a/c did get a workout.<BR><BR>Bear in mind about rooftops: only rooms on the top floor will have rooftop views, most will look over the street or back courtyard/buildings.

Absolutely, positively. We went to Paris last June and it was stifling hot. It literally got to be over 95 degrees! It was hot in most stores and restaurants, but luckily we had AC in our hotel (Relais Bosquet). (I believe we paid $160 euros a night for a superior room.) Plus, we had a view of the Eiffel Tower from our bed! (I'm sure not all of the rooms did, though.)<BR><BR>And I'm used to hot, as I'm from Houston, TX! Of course, the day we left the temperature dropped about 30 degrees, so you never know.<BR>

There's a simple fact of life about Paris hotels. If you get one in July with air conditioning, the weather will likely be cool and pleasant. If you get a hotel without air-conditioning, look out for a scorcher!! At least that's how my luck would run.<BR>In most hotels, the problem is that even if it is mildly hot, a single window will not give you any cross ventilation and the room is likely to be very uncomfortable. In addition, late night revelers and early morning trash men are likely to prevent you from getting a good night's sleep if your windows are wide open.<BR><BR>I would personally never ever consider a hotel in Paris without air in July or August!

If it's over 75 at home I turn on the AC..and I don;t live ina city that builds up heat in the sidewalks,and buildings. If you don't care about sleeping or being comfortable ..don't worry about Ac but if you prefer to sleep and be comfortable.. get a room with AC!<BR><BR>July..I wouldn't go anywhere without Ac at night!

Dollface,<BR><BR>I had this same dilemma/question for our trip in July. I ended up booking a room for 90E per night, with A/C, at Hotel Monge after it was widely suggested on this board. Might want to try that one as an option.<BR><BR>Bellairegirl....I'm originally from Clear Lake, but live overseas now. It's always nice to see folks from the Houston area posting here.<BR><BR>

We've only been in Paris in May, but on three visits required AC on at least one or two nights. July has to be worse!

Thanks, Statia, for your nice comment. Clear Lake is certainly in a state of mourning right now from the Columbia disaster. President Bush will be coming to Houston tomorrow for a private memorial service at the Johnson Space Center.

Yes, I can only imagine what Clear Lake is going thru. It's like reliving the Challenger tragedy all over again.<BR>

Paris is miserable when its hot because of the humidity. I do love the place but I am with Patrick, if you don't get it you'll need it and vice versa. Case in point this last summer I had it at the Turenne, (so-so hotel but cheap and w/ac), and on one night coming back stayed at different place without a/c. Couldn't have been nicer when I had the a/c and on the one nihgt, THE ONE NIGHT! I stayed in the room without a/c it was 90 degrees w/95 % humitdity!, did you hear me? 95%! It is a better hotel but who cares when you can't sleep? Trust me, all that charm goes out the window when you're sweating within 10 minutes of your last shower and operating on no sleep because of the weather. I don't know how southerners can stand it!!!!!!!!!!!

The answer to that last statement is easy, McBetsy. We southerners learned long ago to live in air conditioning in the summer -- or better yet, do what I do and travel to other places all summer!!

Wow! Okay...Air it is. Any hotel suggestions in the 5th or 6th with air you all can highly recommend? Which is better? The 5th or 6th. Oh, by the way...THANK YOU!

One option to consider is to purchase a small rotating (oscillating) fan. We have done this twice when traveling throughout Italy, France, and Spain in the summertime. It will make sleeping much more comfortable in a non-AC room. You can pick one up for less than $20. We simply give it to someone when we leave for home.<BR><BR>Regards,<BR><BR>Jinx Hoover

OOOH! Good idea Jinx Hoover!

Any opinions on La Relais St. Jacques or Hotel de Fleurie?

I was in Paris last May, and we had a couple of very hot days - the AC in my room was wonderful. I was also there the October before that, and used the A/C - mostly to keep out street noise that time. I would never go to Paris in July without A/C!

I am a former Bellaire girl myself (many moons ago) , and you have me concerned about the Paris heat...are sleeveless shirts appropriate or out of place? What about as you get immediately out of the city...is it as warm?

Wren,<BR><BR>That's fun that you used to live in Bellaire! It's a small world. I think it was probably a fluke that it was that hot last June.<BR><BR>As to dress, I really didn't see anyone much wearing sleeveless, but everyone sure looked hot! I think there was a general heat wave going on in central Europe. (The heat must have been following us last summer; my son took classes at Wellesley in Massachusettes later in the summer and it was in the 90's there for a while with no AC in the dorms.)

Bellaire HS '69 to be exact...I know it can be hot anywhere...I just pray it will be pleasant while we're there!! At least we're prepared for heat in Houston and S. FL. where I live now...

Well, golly gosh gee whiz - looks like we got us a passel o' TX folk here. I'm also a former Houstonian, thus have real life experience with needing AC. Thought that after Houston nothing Paris could dish up would faze me, but was I ever wrong. Now I won't even consider a hotel in Paris w/o AC from June through August or mid-September. <BR>Statia - where are you living now?<BR>