A severe heatwave sweeping western Europe has pushed temperatures in Paris, Brussels, London, and Madrid above 35°C — an unprecedented event for the region. Europe is effectively turning into an oven, with extreme heat affecting millions and claiming lives across several countries. France has been hit hardest: at least 55 people have died due to the intense heat.
Paris Turns Up the Heat — Literally
In the French capital, residents of all ages have flocked to the banks of the Seine River, diving into its waters to cool off. Meanwhile, content creators are using the crisis as inspiration — blending urgency with humor to highlight the severity of the situation.
A Sun-Powered Stovetop
One such creator is French comedian Oliver Giraud, known for his Instagram account @howtobecomeparisian. From his Paris apartment, Giraud has taken cooking to a new level — literally powered by the sun. With temperatures soaring past 40°C, he coats a frying pan with butter, places it outside his window, and lets the scorching sunlight heat it up for several minutes. The result? A fully functional, solar-heated stovetop.
In one video, he whips up classic French crêpes, narrating the process with playful flair. In another, he fries eggs and tops them with chunks of French cheese — the heat melts the cheese perfectly and cooks the eggs thoroughly, creating a quick, savory meal courtesy of the very same heatwave that’s causing widespread concern.
Perhaps most striking is his viral clip showing a ribeye steak left outdoors for 20 minutes — slowly searing under the relentless Paris sun.