- Jveuxdusoleil app finds sunlit terraces in Paris using sun-positioning and building data
- Paris has narrow streets and tall buildings that often block sunlight
- Nearly 20,000 users accessed the app in one week of March 2024
There is perhaps nothing more quintessentially Parisian than sitting at a cafe, terrace or bistro, sipping coffee, and quietly watching the world go by. Yet, the hunt for the perfect terrace is not always straightforward. In a city where narrow streets and tall buildings often block the sun, catching those golden rays for an aperitif or coffee can feel like a small victory. During winter, Paris can endure stretches of nearly a week without any sunshine. Come spring, people are eager to find a sunny spot to meet friends or enjoy some alone time. Now, that search has been made easier, thanks to an app called Jveuxdusoleil, literally translated as "I want sun."
The App That Finds Sunshine In Narrow Streets Of Paris
This intuitive app has been gaining attention in Paris, helping locals and tourists find the sunniest spots for coffee or post-work drinks. Created in 2020 by Jean-Charles Levenne as a personal side project, the app uses sun-positioning algorithms and building-height data from OpenStreetMap to highlight sunlit terraces across the city, reported The Guardian.
Cafes in the shade disappear from the map, while sunlit ones stand out, making it simple to pick the ideal spot. It is also community-driven, allowing users to suggest new locations or flag inaccuracies, keeping the tool continually updated.
Why Paris Needs This Sunlight App More Than Anywhere Else
While Jveuxdusoleil technically works worldwide, it has found its strongest following in Paris. The French capital, with its narrow lanes and tall Haussmann-era buildings, presents a challenge for chasing sunlight. Combine that with Paris's famously grey winters - last year was reported as the darkest in three decades - and the hunt for a sunny terrace becomes even more urgent.
Earlier this year, nearly 20,000 users logged on during a single week of March, eager for a taste of sunshine after months of gloom.
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A Passion Project With A Bright Future
For Levenne, Jveuxdusoleil remains purely a labour of love. The app does not generate any income - in fact, he spends from his own pocket to maintain its servers. But its growing popularity and loyal following show just how much Parisians value their cafe terraces and how far they will go in search of the sun.
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So, the next time you are in Paris and dreaming of that perfect sunlit seat, you do not need luck. There is an app for that, and it may lead you to a picture-perfect Parisian bistro.
