As France grapples with more frequent heatwaves and record-breaking temperatures, interest is growing in the coolest areas of the country to either move to or stay in over the summer. The scorching summer of 2026 broke all sorts of records, but those records may not last long on a warming planet. In fact, the city of Paris is already running emergency planning operations for the day when the temperature hits 50C. In response to these environmental challenges, a group of experts at Lyon’s Lumière Lyon 2 university, led by geographer Guillaume Faburel, has come up with a list of seven 'refuge' areas that are judged least vulnerable to extreme heat and the associated climate issues, in their new report Où habiter? (Where to live).
The report looks at a variety of issues including how to make cities more sustainable, the 'just in time' model of food supply chains, and whether moving to the countryside is indeed better for the planet. To draw up this map, the team cross-referenced 30 indicators. According to Faburel, both ecological and socio-economic criteria were taken into account, such as these regions’ capacity to accommodate new residents or to be self-sufficient.
The seven identified areas of 'cool refuge' include the Massif Central, where the high plains are part of France's 'empty middle', the sparsely populated centre of the country. The very remoteness of the area has often made it a key area for outlaw groups, from the Huguenots of the 16th century to the Resistance fighters of World War II. Another area is the Collines de Poitou in western France, comprising the départements of Vendée, Deux-Sèvres and Vienne. While the marais poitevin is largely wetland, the collines are a series of hills and small mountains offering an upland area close to the Atlantic coast.
The lower slopes of the Alps are also included. As winter snows become less reliable, many high-altitude resorts can still guarantee snow, but many ski resorts in the middle and low altitude range have been forced to close. Local tourism is now diversifying into summer activities to attract those seeking refuge from the heat. Brittany, specifically inland areas at the western tip, is also highlighted. Although the region saw record temperatures this summer, its reputation as the place where it is always rainy and cool means that many French people are booking their summer holidays there, or considering moving to the region. Finally, Normandy is identified as a refuge. Next door to Brittany, it benefits from cooler temperatures along the north coast. An area with a strong farming sector, large parts of Normandy remain very rural and therefore generally stay cooler than the more built-up areas further east along the Channel coast.
