Lyon residents struggle with extreme heatwaves

In Lyon, France, extreme heatwaves are significantly altering the daily lives of elderly residents. As the city experiences temperatures approaching 38°C, seniors in intergenerational housing complexes are forced to adopt strict routines to cope with the heat.

Residents in modern buildings, which were often not designed with rising temperatures in mind, report that indoor temperatures can reach 31°C or higher by mid-afternoon. To manage the heat, many elderly inhabitants have shifted their schedules to complete chores, shopping, and exercise before 10:00 AM. During the hottest parts of the day, they rely on darkened rooms, UV-protective films on windows, and communal air-conditioned spaces to find relief.

While some buildings provide cooled common areas that serve as gathering points for residents to escape the heat, the relief is often insufficient for those living in top-floor apartments or units with southern exposure, where temperatures can become nearly unbearable.