Is this the heatwave that finally changes French minds on air conditioning? Not for Environment Minister Monique Barbut. She said she was “horrified” by the idea of it becoming widespread. The rest of the world looked on perplexed as France suffered a brutal week, particularly for schools, hospitals and care homes. Long suspicious of it, French people are slowly adopting A/C, but it remains politically controversial and difficult to install in historic towns and cities. Technology Editor Peter O’Brien pours cold water on what he says is a needlessly hot topic in France.
