Fraîcheur de Paris

Fraîcheur de Paris is a French company responsible for managing the district cooling network of the city of Paris. It succeeded Climespace in 2022 and is 85% owned by Engie and 15% by RATP under a 20-year public service delegation contract. The network uses natural cooling sources, primarily water from the Seine, along with geothermal and aquifer sources, to provide chilled water to buildings. As of 2026, it operates 14 cooling plants, 120 km of pipes, and serves over 1,000 clients, making it the largest cooling network in Europe. Notable clients include the Louvre Museum, the National Assembly, and major department stores. The company is expanding its network to cover the entire city, with plans to triple its size within 20 years.

The Paris district cooling network was initiated in 1978 with a first plant installed at the Forum des Halles. During the 1980s, the Louvre Museum decided to connect to the network, becoming its largest client, a position it has retained. In 1991, a company named Climespace was founded as a subsidiary of GDF Suez to manage and develop the growing network under a concession contract with the city of Paris. The network continued to expand, benefiting from major urban projects, and by 2015 it measured over 70 km and had 587 subscribers, mostly offices. In 2022, Fraîcheur de Paris succeeded Climespace, with Engie holding 85% and RATP 15%, under a 20-year public service delegation contract. At that time, the network had 10 cooling plants, served 800 buildings, and covered 43% of the city's surface. The city of Paris planned to triple the network's size within 20 years to cover the entire city, with an investment of 800 million to 1 billion euros. By 2026, Fraîcheur de Paris employed about 180 people, generated annual revenue of 110 to 120 million euros, and operated 14 cooling plants, 120 km of pipes, and served over 1,000 clients, making it the largest cooling network in Europe.

• 2026

  Network operates 14 cooling plants, 120 km of pipes, serves over 1,000 clients, employs ~180 people, with annual revenue of €110–120 million.

• 2025

  Hôpital des Quinze-Vingts becomes the first hospital to join the network.

• 2022

  Fraîcheur de Paris succeeds Climespace; Engie (85%) and RATP (15%) take ownership under a 20-year public service delegation.

• 2015

  Network reaches over 70 km and 587 subscribers.

• 1991

  Climespace founded as a subsidiary of GDF Suez to manage the network.

• 1980

  Louvre Museum connects to the network, becoming its largest client.

• 1978

  First cooling plant installed at Forum des Halles, initiating the Paris district cooling network.

Sustainable and collective cooling solution for Paris, reducing energy consumption and urban heat islands.

• District cooling service

  Delivery of chilled water to connected buildings for air conditioning.

• Connection and subscription

  Clients pay connection costs and a subscription fee.

1. 1Accueil - Fraicheur de Parisfraicheurdeparis.fr
2. 2Fraîcheur de Paris - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Fraîcheur de Paris - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org