In this romantic country—Paris, lovers are envied by all. Recently, global weather has been erratic; seasonal changes seem abnormal, fluctuating between cold and hot, or failing to rain when expected (for example, Taiwan this year had no plum rain season, suffering widespread droughts, with the Renyi Reservoir in Chiayi completely dry, leaving many waiting for a typhoon to bring water). Spring in Paris was particularly cold this year, arriving nearly two weeks late, yet everyone was overjoyed that spring had finally returned to the earth. Nature seemed to awaken from a long dream, hastening its transformation into lush greenery and vibrant flowers, suddenly becoming breathtakingly beautiful like paradise on earth. A surge of vitality permeated society and people; streets and Parisians' backyards were crowded, making Paris seem more romantic, with dreamy lovers falling deeper in love.

In recent years, Paris's climate has oscillated between cold and hot until the summer solstice, when it suddenly became extremely hot. A heatwave swept across the European continent, and I, having just returned to Paris from Taiwan, felt the heat intensely, as if my body had returned to the summer atmosphere of my hometown. Temperatures have been rising steadily this week, jumping from the low 20s to 30–40 degrees Celsius in the afternoon. No matter where you hide, it is hot; one wants to crawl into a refrigerator's freezer, driven mad by the heat. The pampered French people seem helpless against such extreme heat. Air conditioners and electric fans in department stores—spurred by a wave of tragic heatwaves since a severe event in 2005, when Parisians could simply escape to the countryside or seaside for short summers without such intensity—have been swept clean.

These days, everyone seems to stay indoors or seek shade under the dense canopies of major parks and forests for a lazy afternoon. Fortunately, Paris still has the winding Seine River. The shaded riverbanks are the best places for escaping the heat, enjoying summer leisure, or sunbathing. Thus, the quays surrounding Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis are always packed. Perhaps this is Paris's best retreat from the heat. No wonder the Paris Beaches held annually around the summer solstice along this route bring such joy to Parisians, who enjoy themselves enthusiastically during this scorching season.