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Parisian Pursuit of Sunlight: App Helps Locals Find Coveted Terrasse Spots
21 Aug
Summary
- Jveuxdusoleil app tracks sun's movement to pinpoint sunny terraces in Paris
- Bistrot culture in France declining, with number of bistrots dropping from 500,000 in 1900 to under 40,000 today
- Terraces offer authentic window into Parisian lifestyle, with people watching and leisurely drinks
As the summer of 2025 winds down, Paris has become uncharacteristically quiet. With many residents having fled the city for the beaches and coasts, businesses have closed and the streets have nearly ground to a halt. However, for those who remain, there is one eternal Parisian pursuit: the hunt for a sunny terrace to enjoy an evening apéritif.
This year, a digital solution has gained popularity in the form of the app Jveuxdusoleil, which tracks the sun's movement through the city's maze of buildings to pinpoint the best spots for a sunny terrace. Created in 2020 by Jean-Charles Levenne, the app has seen a steady rise in users, with a peak of almost 20,000 visitors in early March 2025 after France experienced its darkest year in 30 years.
The terraces of Paris offer a unique window into the city's culture, functioning as observation posts where people can watch the world go by. However, this iconic bistrot culture is facing a decline, with the number of bistrots in France dropping from 500,000 in 1900 to fewer than 40,000 today. Factors such as the rise of automobiles, digital communication, and soaring real estate prices have all contributed to the "massacre" of these establishments.
In this context, the Jveuxdusoleil app serves as a technological embrace of a quintessentially Parisian tradition. While its user base may not be widespread, its existence highlights the importance of these outdoor spaces and the city's eternal quest for sunlight and conviviality.
