Summer is here, even if the clouds are there the temperatures rise. And the heat is more difficult to bear in polluted city like Paris. Here are some tips to cool your home.

First prevent the hot air return

Close shutters, external and internal. If you have the choice, the external aspects are more efficient, like the bright colors that reflect the sun’s rays. Dark colors absorb heat.
Close the windows the day, when the outside temperature exceeds that of your home.

Do not use a dryer, a halogen lamp. They distribute the heat.

… Thereafter, the internal air cooling

Create air traffic at night by opening windows to vent the opposed heat stored in the walls.
Installation of green plants: they moisten the fresh air, especially if you sprinkle in the morning and evening.
Tighten a damp cloth before the window in case of very strong heat: it offers a real freshness.
Use a booster fan or ceiling (very efficient): stirring the air, it gives a feeling of freshness. A turn off when you leave the room!

And why not work on a thermal insulation?

Ask for a double glazing, insulation, ventilation, they considerably improve the thermal comfort of a house and are effective against both heat and cold. For the owners’ existing aid of the National Agency for the improvement of housing as the city of Paris has defined the work of sustainable development can be subsidized.
Install blinds on the windows. Stores Bannes prevent sunlight reaching the windows. Otherwise, the national stores, although less effective, to limit the discomfort caused by heat.
Join the UV films outside the window. They prevent the sun’s rays to heat inside the housing. But be careful in the winter, they will also deprive some of these additional degrees sometimes so appreciated.

Source: Paris.fr
Photo: Dominic’s pics

Gardens and landscaped areas play an important role in the life of city-dwellers.  Recognizing the ecological importance of such zones can help to improve their access and maintenance. Since 2001, the city of Paris has undertaken a sustainable development initiative which aims to provide continuous improvement of the environmental quality of these gardens. The key stage is that of certification. The Hôtel Gavarni itself is aiming to obtain an eco-label.

The Ecocert certification body has designed a label known as EVE (Espaces Verts Ecologiques) which recognizes eco-friendly management of landscapes. Launched in 2006 in 16 Parisian parks, it was progressively extended last year to another 60 or so parks in the capital. The label, awarded by Ecocert for a period of one year following an audit, can be renewed following a second inspection.

This initiative to promote eco-friendly management of green areas corresponds to a number of objectives:
- reducing ambient pollution (air, noise, etc) and other hazards (soil and water pollution, etc)
- encouraging the development of fauna, flora and biodiversity
- responsible water management
- introducing GM-free, low-maintenance plants
- responsible garden waste management
- introducing waste sorting available for the public, etc
The 60 certified parks and gardens include the Parc de Passy and the square belonging to the Musée Galliera, both located in the 16th arrondissement, just down the road from the Gavarni.

Do you find the air’s better in the country than in major cities such as Paris? From now on, there’s a balloon to inform you about air quality in the capital.

The balloon has been moored in the André-Citroen park for some years now and has become a landmark in southern Paris. It’s continuing to fulfil its initial vocation – that of taking on board passengers so they can experience the fun of going up in the air.
From now on, however, it will also be providing information about the air quality in Paris: red means bad, green means good.

The André-Citroen park balloon will be visible for up to almost 40km.

This display will work using two separate lighting systems:
- for air quality in areas close to traffic, a system of light-emitting diodes (visible night and day) will be arranged around the lower part of the balloon,

- for the city’s ambient air quality, there will be a system lighting up the whole of the balloon using colour bulbs located on the inside (which will be more visible at night).

It will thus be possible for air quality indications based on the levels of pollution in general and close to traffic recorded by the Airparif network’s monitoring stations to vary independently of each other.

An information and exhibition area which is both fun and educational will also be installed at the foot of the balloon to explain to younger Parisians how people’s everyday behaviour affects air quality.

This will enable Paris schools to continue to familiarise their pupils with the pleasures of the aérostation free of charge, at the same time as introducing them to the issue of air quality in Paris.

Source: Paris.fr

The promenade planted is 4.5 km long and is such a park in the 12th arrondissement of Paris.
It was built on a former railway viaduct of the 19th century which connected the Bastille to the eastern suburbs of Paris. He ceased all activities since the 14th December 1969.
The promenade extends from the Opera Bastille in the east of the city limits, resulting in a short distance from the Bois de Vincennes.

Pedestrians have a garden and cyclists have a road at ground level. Then, 4.5 km from the roads meet at ground level and arrive at the Bois de Vincennes. The high level of road sections closed, as in passages between buildings.

The arches under the viaduct have been transformed into art studios and craft. This section is called the “Viaduc des Arts”.

Photos: fredzo.zo and Ricardo Philippi de los Santos