How Paris Uses the Seine River to Cool the Louvre & Other Landmarks

19 Jun 2025 GS 1 Environment
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How Paris Uses the Seine River to Cool the Louvre & Other Landmarks Click toview full image


  1. Innovative Cooling System:

    • Since 1991, Paris has used water from the Seine River to cool 800+ buildings, including the Louvre Museum, via a 110-km underground pipe network—the largest in Europe.

  2. How It Works:

    • Reverse district heating: Chilled Seine water absorbs heat from buildings and returns cooler, avoiding energy-intensive AC.

    • Eco-friendly: Reduces electricity use, chemical waste, and CO₂ emissions vs. traditional air conditioning.

  3. Global Precedents:

    • Similar systems exist (e.g., UN HQ in New York since the 1950s), but Paris has expanded its network to combat worsening heatwaves.

  4. Benefits:

    • No hot air exhaust: Unlike AC, it doesn’t worsen urban heat islands.

    • Scalable: Managed by Fraicheur de Paris (also operates in Barcelona, Singapore, Dubai).

  5. Climate Adaptation:

    • With rising summer temperatures, such systems offer a sustainable urban cooling solution.



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