We are thinking of renting an apt in Paris during either July or August. 20 years ago, I was in Paris during a heat wave, and the cheap hotel w/o airconditioning was unbearable...Would it be any better in an apt w/ fans? Would it be safe to sleep w/ the windows open? What do Parisians who don't leave the city in the summer do to combat heat?

If this summer is anything like the last few, you'll want AC. I'm not sure about finding apartments with AC. Many apartments are in older buildings that are difficult to air condition. Maybe you should try a hotel instead? I've found that sometimes you can get a discounted rate in Paris during the last week of July and August, if you ask well ahead.<BR>You probably realize this, too, but many Parisians aren't nearly as bothered by the lack of AC as we are. That may explain why so many places in Paris, like museums and restaurants are cooled by open windows, fans, or not at all.<BR><BR>Good luck, and have a great time!

Yes. A few years ago I was in Paris the end of May, and a/c was a must-have even then. My hotel did not have it, and it was extremely uncomfortable.

The answer is, in a word, YES!

YUP.

Haven't you ever lived without air conditioning? I used to live in places a lot hotter than Paris without AC in the summer, which wasn't common at all until I was out of school. Yes, an apt. with fans will be better than a hotel without them. A lot depends on the ventilation flow of the apt., however. I sleep with windows open all the time in Paris, what do you mean about safe? I wouldn't do it on the ground floor (in Paris or anywhere), which is one reason I would never rent a ground floor apt--there are other reasons, it's just not pleasant to have people right outside your windows, aside from bad security with or without them being open. Those apts. rent for less in Paris, because they are less desirable.<BR><BR>No AC doesn't bother me that much in the summer in Paris, I have rarely ever needed it.