I am trying to decide between two hotels in Paris: one has AC (hotel Minerve) and one does not (Hotel St. Jacques). Do I need to worry about this at the end of May? (5/23-29) Thanks so much!

No one can answer this for you. First of all no one can predict the weather. All I can say is I've been to Paris many times in May and AC would be an absolute REQUIREMENT for me. I don't sleep well with windows open and the usual noises from outside either, even in the possibility it's not really hot.

In one word - no. But bring an umbrella. Occasional rain is common in Paris. My wife and I have been to Paris twice in May and have found light jackets to be needed, not A/C.

P.S. I always use the Weather Channel website just before I leave to pack right

The hotelier will have his or her own opinion on the matter. They will also have the final opinion as to whether the AC actually gets turned on. In May, possibly it won't be.

No.

No

No

Wow. I guess us crazy Floridians are more sensitive about hot and stuffy rooms than most. I agree that liklihood is good that it won't be that hot, but other than really cool weather I need AC, and mid 70's or higher are not unlikely at the end of May.

I was in Paris over Memorial Day Weekend 2 years ago and it was blazing hot. It was in the 90's the whole weekend and I would have been miserable without ac. I wouldn't want to take a chance after that experience.

We had 2 hot days in may 2 years ago (and snow in april the same year) - that's all in 10 years.
And with 20 C (teh temperature are generally in the 15-20 range) most french people will rather turn the heating on feeling cold inside.

it is not only the question of hot or not;

the costant traffic on many streets
makes it hard to keep the windows open.

I'm not sure i understand, how does AC make it possible to open the windows ? (it gererally makes it IMPOSSIBLE to open them)

www.wunderground.com states that the mean temp when I was there last May was around 58 degrees F. Sure did NOT feel like it. The wind was very strong and I was very cold.

I would say no, of course it is not "necessary". It is true some hotels that have it won't turn it on in May anyway, as a matter of policy.

I don't see anyone above saying having AC made it possible to open the windows, in fact I see the opposite thought (the traffic noise made it difficult to keep the windows open, so with AC you can be more comfortable with them closed). I also disagree that having AC makes it impossible to open the windows. I can open the windows in all the hotels I've been at in Paris with AC, although I know some cases where you can't (and office buildings). I suspect making it impossible to open windows with AC may be more common in modern or large buildings.

I would not consider staying anywhere in Paris at the end of May without A/C. I have been there the last two years at that time and was thankful to have the comfort. It wasn't unbearably hot but when it is 80 degrees and muggy, I can't sleep with out A/C. I guess it comes down to personal preference and what you are used to.

right on Christina,
that IS what I meant.
After having stayed in several hotels without AC ( with the window OPEN to get some air) I found it almost impossible to sleep because of the traffic noise.
Now, I ask for a room in the courtyard - if they have one.

We go to Paris at the beginning of May and I did not want to stay in a hotel without AC, because some years ago, at middle of May it was very hot. You can not be sure how the weather will be, and I prefer to be on the safe site.

You can't argue with people that are determined they need something when traveling because they have it at home. Not nacessary at all, but urgently needed.

It was beastly hot in Paris the year we were there in May - 2005. We would have died without AC.

Riiight.