France heat wave drives home cooling advice and no‑cook recipe ideas

The French agency for ecological transition (ADEME) issued simple measures to keep homes cool during the July heat wave. It advises closing shutters, blinds and windows from mid‑morning until evening, using light‑coloured interior blinds where external shutters are unavailable, and reopening only when outdoor temperatures fall, typically at night or early morning. Cross‑ventilation by opening windows on opposite façades creates a chimney effect that speeds heat removal. Fans should be used to circulate air rather than to lower temperature, and unnecessary heat‑producing appliances such as ovens, televisions, computers and game consoles should be switched off. Planting deciduous trees or hedges around the house can provide lasting shade.

To ease cooking in extreme heat, twelve no‑cook recipes were suggested for French households. Cold soups such as watermelon‑tomato gazpacho, salads featuring tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and feta, and raw vegetable carpaccios are highlighted. A tomato‑cherry lemonade created by chef Camille Chamignon and various fruit‑based desserts, including pineapple carpaccio, offer refreshing alternatives. When raw fish is used, strict freshness and refrigeration requirements are emphasized to avoid food‑borne risks. These dishes require minimal preparation time and avoid heating the kitchen, helping to keep indoor temperatures lower.