I assume that the outdoor cafes close during the winter months. What on earth do the locals do with the block of time they normally give to cafe-sitting when the weather is hospitable? Don't tell me they actually stay at work all day!

Well, the cafes do have indoor seating, too.

And actually, a lot of cafes have outdoor heaters, so the outdoor tables are open more of the year than you might think.

Well, I can think of one other very popular mid day activity. It's the reason they invented the bidet.

besides NeoPatrick's cheeky response . . .

&quot;<i>I assume that the outdoor cafes close during the winter months</i>&quot; Nope

&quot;Cheeky&quot;????Janis, where is your sense of humor.

I can think of that same activity but I'll be more upfront about it: they call it a &quot;nooner.&quot;

You obviously don't know the meaning of &quot;cheeky&quot;

Meant to add - I guess using smileys is the only way to make sure some people understand . . . . . . .

They also drop plastic &quot;walls&quot; from their awnings to protect customers from the rain so along with the outdoor heaters, I don't think weather is much of a deterent to sitting in a cafe - at least it wasn't when we were there in a November/December.

With those butane umbrella heaters, it even sometimes gets too hot when you sit outdoors in the winter.

&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;
With those butane umbrella heaters,
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;

what a waste of energy. when it's cold out, people should just be cold or go inside. no need to heat the outdoors.

i can't help notice the irony of this in relation to that airconditioning threads over the summer....how it was said that the french (and germans) don't like aircon because they want to experience the weather as it actually is....to be more natural. then they go and heat the outdoors so they can sit outside and pretend it's summer! brilliant.

btw, we also heat the outdoors here in england too and i don't like them here either.

When I sit under those heaters at a restaurant my hair feels like it is going to catch on fire and my feet are still freezing. It is really uncomfortable.

I would just go inside the cafe and eat.

After walking all around Paris on a frosty morning, nothing could be nicer than a cafe window table splashed with a puddle of bright sunshine.

Unlike summer months, the inside is lively and full of Parisians, warm and enjoying their vin.

Walkinaround, I have the feeling we will see more outdoor heating here in England when smoking is banned in all the pubs.

Thanks to all of you for educating me on the &quot;possible&quot; afternoon activities for our Parisian friends during the cold months. As some of you said, I can't figure out why someone would want to sit out in the cold near an oversized butane heater. Guess you really have to have an appreciation for the &quot;alluring powers of the cafe.&quot;
I do agree with Heimdall. As more and more establishments become non-smoking, we'll see the increase in outdoor heaters.

There were plenty of outdoor sitters when I was there in January. Drink some antifreeze -- cognac. But I preferred to do as JeanneB.

Maybe Parisians hit a museum or go shopping now and then..? And don't forget les cinemas..!

&quot;cheek·y (chk)
adj. cheek·i·er, cheek·i·est
Impertinently bold; impudent and saucy.&quot;

&quot;cheek‧y  /ˈtʃi
–adjective, cheek‧i‧er, cheek‧i‧est.
impudent; insolentquot;

Hmmm. I didn't think my post was cheeky either.


But speaking of those heaters, I've never figured it out either. In most cases people sit under those heaters that give out so much heat that in the summer they'd be complaining about the heat if it were that warm.

There are very very few cafes that only consist of outdoor areas, I can't think of a single one in Paris except for those holiday things in the parks. People sit in cafes all year, why would you think otherwise. They are places to eat and drink. I often sit indoors in a cafe even when it's not that cold out -- I prefer it sometimes if the outdoor area is really crowded, or in the sun, etc.

NP: I meant it as &quot;saucy&quot; - (that's a good thing BTW) - and I think you'll agree it was

People sit inside, when/if the patio section closes. Same as anywhere else.