French cities implement school renovations to combat heat

French municipalities are implementing various ecological renovation projects to adapt schools to rising temperatures caused by climate change.

In Paris, a pilot project titled “La RÉNO !” is being tested at the Franc Nohain school in the 13th arrondissement. The initiative focuses on low-carbon renovations using bio-sourced materials such as recycled cotton insulation, raw earth coatings, and solid oak flooring. The project aims to test cooling solutions—including external sunshades, ceiling fans, and nocturnal ventilation—before potentially scaling these adaptations to 631 schools and 454 nurseries by 2050.

In Perpignan, the municipality is launching a comprehensive program to refresh and air-condition its school buildings. While nursery school dormitories are already air-conditioned, the city plans to implement integrated heating and cooling systems, such as heat pumps, across its entire school estate. The project, estimated to cost between 10 and 12 million euros, intends to offset electricity costs through photovoltaic energy production. Work is expected to begin in the final quarter of 2026, with the new Saint-Assiscle school group slated to be fully cooled by September 2027.