Daily Life Tips for Expats Living in Paris Apartments: Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Laundry, and Recycling

Moving to Paris can feel like stepping into a dream—cobblestone streets, café culture, delicious pastries on every street corner, and world-class museums. But once the initial magic of relocation settles, everyday routines begin to matter—especially when settling into a new home.

Parisian apartments, known for their historical charm and distinctive Haussmannian architecture, present a unique set of living conditions. Most residential buildings in central Paris date back to the 19th and early 20th centuries, offering elegant details like high ceilings and intricate moldings—but often without the conveniences of central air conditioning. Instead, local parisians rely on a combination of manual ventilation, functional shutters, and portable air solutions to maintain indoor comfort.

This guide offers practical tips for adapting to daily life in Parisian apartments, covering key routines like ventilation, shutter use, air conditioning, recycling, and laundry, helping newcomers comfortably settle into life in Paris.

Paris Apartment Ventilation Tips: What Every Expat Needs to Know About Staying Comfortable Year-Round

One important aspect that often surprises newcomers to Paris is how essential proper ventilation is in maintaining a healthy and comfortable home, especially in the city’s elegant but often aging apartments. 

Humidity levels can rise quickly in these older buildings, leading to issues like musty odors, condensation on windows, and, over time, mold development in poorly ventilated spaces. Understanding how to manage air circulation and moisture is key to preserving both your living space and your well-being throughout the year.

Why Mold and Humidity Are Common Problems in Paris Apartments 

Many Paris buildings—especially those constructed before the 1950s—were not designed with modern insulation or airflow systems in mind. Even in newer properties, it's rare to find full HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) setups like those in the U.S.

Instead, most homes rely on passive air vents located above windows or near ceilings, along with a system known as VMC (ventilation mécanique contrôlée), which became standard in post-1982 construction and renovation projects. These systems operate quietly and continuously, helping to circulate fresh air and reduce humidity.

However, they are easy to overlook—and not always sufficient on their own. A common mistake? Many expats keep their windows closed all winter to conserve heat and unknowingly block vents with curtains or furniture. This traps moisture and creates the ideal environment for mold to develop.

Simple Ventilation Tips for Your Paris Apartment

To protect your health, air quality, and your apartment, follow these simple steps of ventilation:

• Keep air vents clear. Don't block or cover them—they're essential to your apartment's airflow.
• Open your windows daily. Even 10–15 minutes in winter helps refresh the air and reduce moisture.
• Leave bathroom and bedroom doors open when possible, especially after a shower or overnight.
• Use exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms if you have them.
• Watch for early signs of mold, like spots behind furniture or around windows.

Humidity and Mold in Paris: What You Need to Know

Indoor humidity in Paris apartments often exceeds 60% during fall and winter—ideal conditions for mold growth. Experts recommend keeping levels between 40–60% for a healthy home.

⚠️ Important Note for Renters: If mold develops due to a lack of proper ventilation, such as failing to open windows or blocking air vents, it may be considered the tenant’s responsibility to resolve and pay for professional removal. Regular ventilation is not just best practice—it can protect your health, your apartment, and your security deposit.

How to Cool a Paris Apartment Without Air Conditioning: Mastering the Art of the Shutter (Volets)

One of the biggest surprises for many expats living in Paris is discovering that most apartments do not have air conditioning. As summer temperatures in Paris increasingly climb above 38°C (100°F) during heatwaves, staying cool becomes more of a challenge—and a matter of strategy.

Fortunately, locals have a tried-and-true solution: the volet, or shutter. Parisians have long relied on shutters to manage heat, light, privacy, and even noise. These shutters can be wooden, metal, or rolling (volets roulants), and they're a key part of how locals handle summer heat. 

The Shutter Routine: A Parisian Cooling Strategy That Works

Parisians follow a daily rhythm with their shutters and windows to naturally regulate indoor temperatures. Here’s how to adopt their method:

• Morning: Open windows early (before 8–9 AM) to let in the cool air.
• Midday: Close both windows and shutters tightly to block out heat and sunlight—this can lower indoor temps by up to 5–6°C (10°F).
• Evening: Once the sun sets and the air cools, open the windows and shutters again to refresh the apartment overnight.

This daily habit turns your shutters into a natural air conditioning system—eco-friendly, silent, and surprisingly effective.

Air Conditioning in Paris Apartments? Why It's Rare—and What You Can Do

If you're moving from the U.S. or another country where central A/C is standard, this might come as a surprise: air conditioning is not common in Parisian apartments. In fact, fewer than 5% of homes in France have permanent air conditioning systems.

Why Most Apartments in Paris Don't Have A/C?

There are a few big reasons for this:

• Historic buildings: Many Paris apartments are in older buildings, some dating back to the 19th century. These structures weren't built for modern HVAC systems, and installing air-conditionings often requires significant structural changes.
• Strict regulations and permits: When installing AC in Paris, especially in architecturally protected areas (which includes much of central Paris), you need formal approval from your local mairie (town hall) to install any external A/C unit. This is particularly true if the installation affects the appearance of the building façade or involves drilling into exterior walls. These regulations are in place to preserve the city's architectural heritage.
• Building's rules (shared ownership buildings): Even if you get government approval, you still need permission from the building's co-owners. How to install air conditioning in a condominium in France? It starts with presenting your installation plan at the general assembly and getting a majority vote. This step can be time-consuming, and approval isn't always guaranteed—especially if neighbors are worried about noise, aesthetics, or structural changes.
• Mild climate (until recently): Traditionally, Paris summers were mild enough that shutters and fans were enough. But with increasing heatwaves and hotter summers, more residents are looking for alternatives.
• Eco-conscious culture: Many Parisians value sustainability and energy efficiency. Air conditioning is often seen as environmentally unfriendly, so there's less cultural pressure to install or use AC—especially when alternatives like shutters, fans, and natural ventilation are available.

Cooling Options for Expats Living in Paris

1. Portable A/C units

The most popular workaround for renters. These units require no permanent installation, making them ideal for furnished or temporary rentals. However, they do need to vent hot air through a window using a seal kit.

• Price range in France: €250–€600

• Pros: Easy to buy or rent, flexible use

• Cons: Noisy, energy-hungry, only cools one room at a time

2. Split A/C systems (climatisation réversible)

These are sleek and efficient, offering both cooling in summer and heating in winter. However, they're mostly found in luxury or newly renovated apartments. Installation usually requires landlord or co-op approval and local permits, which can be difficult in older buildings.

The price of split AC systems in France generally ranges from €1,500 to €3,500 for the unit, with an additional installation fees of €800 to €2,000, depending on the complexity and property type. Though it's a significant investment, it's one of the most effective long-term solutions for year-round climate control.

Laundry and Daily in Paris: What Expats Should Know

One of the small but notable lifestyle shifts for many expats in Paris? Laundry habits in Paris. Most apartments in Paris do come with a washing machine (machine à laver), but a separate dryer (sèche-linge) is much less common. In fact, only about 25–30% of French households have a clothes dryer, compared to over 80% in the U.S.

Instead, many Parisian apartments use a combo washer-dryer unit, known in French as a lave-linge séchant. These all-in-one machines can wash and dry clothes in a single cycle, and they're fairly common in Paris—especially in compact Parisian apartments where space is limited. That said, not every flat has a combo washer-dryer unit, and when they do, the drying function is often slower and less efficient than a standalone dryer.

Beyond that, air-drying is still a very common practice. You'll frequently see folding racks (étendoirs) in bathrooms, living rooms, or even kitchens. It's not just about saving energy—it's gentler on fabrics, reduces wear and tear, and aligns with France's increasingly eco-conscious lifestyle.

If your rental apartment in Paris doesn't have laundry appliances, don't worry—laundry shops (laveries automatiques) are easy to find throughout every corner of Paris. These self-service laundromats in Paris usually have both washers and dryers available. And many are open 7 days a week, with some even running 24/7.

• A wash cycle typically costs between €4 and €6, depending on load size.
• Drying costs around €1–€1.50 per 10–15 minutes
• Most laundry shops accept credit cards or contactless payment, though coins are still common in smaller locations.
• Most laundromats sell single-use packets of detergent on-site—usually via vending machines—but it's cheaper to bring your own which will save you money in the long run, especially if you're doing laundry regularly.

Noise Awareness & Quiet Living

Older Parisian buildings often lack modern sound insulation, which means everyday sounds can easily travel between apartments. To maintain good relations with your neighbors, here are some simple habits to adopt in your daily routine:

• Wear slippers or soft-soled shoes indoors to reduce footstep noise on hardwood floors.
• Keep music and TV at a moderate volume, especially after 10:00 p.m., when quiet hours ("heures de silence") are expected.
• Avoid vacuuming or using loud appliances such as washing machines at night or early in the morning, particularly on weekends.
• Limit home gatherings and parties. If hosting a small event occasionally, notify your neighbors in advance with a kind note or a quick word.

🔔 Important: If repeated noise complaints are made against you, your landlord has the right to refuse lease renewal at the end of your rental contract—even under a furnished lease (bail Code civil).

Respecting Shared Spaces in Parisian Buildings

In Paris, daily life in apartment buildings is shaped by a strong sense of community and mutual respect. Residents place high importance on the cleanliness, quietness, and proper use of shared spaces such as stairwells, hallways, and courtyards. Following a few simple etiquette rules goes a long way in maintaining harmony with your neighbors and being a respectful tenant.

• Keep common areas clean and quiet, avoiding clutter or loud conversations.
• Always greet the concierge (gardien/gardienne) when entering or leaving the building. Roughly 40% of Parisian buildings still have a live-in concierge. They are often responsible for deliveries, maintenance, and general oversight, and they play an important role in the daily life of the building. Therefore, building a good rapport with them is both appreciated and helpful.

Trash & Recycling Guidelines in Paris

Trash disposal in Paris is taken seriously, with each arrondissement following specific collection schedules and regulations. Respecting these rules helps keep your building and neighborhood clean—and helps you avoid fines.

Where and How to Throw Trash in Paris?

Most buildings have a dedicated trash room ("local poubelle") with separate bins for:

• Household waste (ordures ménagères) → Black or gray bin
• Recyclables (paper, cardboard, plastic, cans) → Yellow bin
• Glass (usually in a green or white bin) → Green bin, sometime in white

✅ Always place your waste in the correct bin.
✅ Tie your household waste bags securely before tossing them.
✅ Flatten cardboard boxes to save space.
✅ Rinse glass containers before disposal (no caps or lids).
🚫 Never leave trash bags in hallways or outside the building outside of collection hours.

Dispose of Bulky Items & Special Waste in Paris (encombrants)

If you need to dispose of large items like furniture, electronics, or oversized cardboard:

1. Request a pickup through the official Paris city website: https://teleservices.paris.fr/ramen/
2. You'll receive a confirmation number, which must be clearly written on your item.
3. Leave the item on the sidewalk at the scheduled time and date—not before.

How to Properly Dispose of Old Clothes in Paris?

Throwing clothes in the regular trash is discouraged in Paris—and often prohibited—because textiles can be reused, recycled, or donated. While not strictly illegal, improperly discarding clothing in household bins goes against waste sorting regulations in Paris. It may result in bins being left uncollected or even fines for the building.

Donation Bins ("Bornes à vêtements"):

These large white containers are located on sidewalks or near supermarkets and are run by nonprofits like Le Relais or Emmaüs. Simply bag your clothes and drop them inside.

Charity Shops:

Donate directly to organizations like:

• Emmaüs
• Secours Populaire
• La Croix-Rouge
• Secours Catholique

Clothing Drives:

Some neighborhoods or buildings organize seasonal drives for clothes, shoes, and linens.

The Slower Daily Rhythm of Paris Life

Paris moves at its own rhythm—and it might feel noticeably slower than what many Americans or international expats are used to.

• Shops and grocery stores typically close by 8 p.m., with some supermarkets staying open until 9 or 10 p.m., but that's the exception, not the rule.
• Boulangeries (bakeries) often close for several weeks in July or August as owners take their annual summer holidays. It's completely normal to see signs reading "Fermé pour congés" (closed for vacation).
• Sunday closures are still common, especially in residential neighborhoods. While some convenience stores (like Franprix or Carrefour City) may open for limited Sunday hours, most shops and businesses close for the day.

This rhythm reflects the French value of work-life balance, where quality of life, rest, and family time are prioritized over constant availability and speed. Adjusting to this pace can be a refreshing change—once you know what to expect.

💡 Pro Tip: Plan your errands early in the day, especially on weekends or before holidays, when stores can be unexpectedly closed. And don't worry about missing your dryer—your clothes (and electricity bill) will thank you.

Life in Paris is less about convenience and more about rhythm. Adapting becomes second nature with the right apartment for rent in Paris and a little guidance. At Paris Rental, we help you settle into the City of Light with ease. Whether you're here for a diplomatic assignment, corporate relocation, international studies, or a fresh start, we'll find an apartment that suits your lifestyle—blending Haussmannian charm with modern amenities. Discover a curated selection of fully furnished rentals, and let us help you feel at home in Paris from day one.

Editor: Siyi CHEN