Heat Wave in Paris, France

July was the hottest month ever recorded in the U.S. Apparently, the heat wave had moved across the pond. Many European cities from Prague to Paris were experiencing record breaking temperatures the last several days. Thank goodness we didn't wait until now to visit Paris! Imagine the throng of people, the long lines, the sweat and the heat in the city!

We had gone to Paris in late April. It was spring, and the weather was comfortably cool, raining only a couple of days out of the two weeks we were there. We walked all over Paris. Thanks to our cousins who graciously showed us around, we visited many lovely parks and gardens in their local neighborhoods.

We love the ultramodern Parc de la Villette! Originally built for slaughterhouses in the mid 1800s, it has experienced a phenomenal renaissance, and is now a cultural hub, offering a variety of activities and events for the locals and tourists alike. In the summer (July and August), the Prairie du Triangle near the park's center turns into an open-air cinema or "cinéma en plein air." Admission is free, and you can watch a movie under the stars.

Here are some images we took of the wonderful Parc de la Villette.