France has placed nearly half of the country, including Paris, under its highest heatwave warning as soaring temperatures are expected to approach record levels on Monday.
In Bordeaux, in southwestern France, temperatures climbed to 40°C on Sunday.
As the heatwave strengthens, authorities have introduced special measures during the annual Fête de la Musique, the nationwide music festival that attracts millions of people to public celebrations each summer. The government announced that alcohol would not be served at events organized by state institutions and public agencies.
According to the office of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, the restriction is intended to reduce pressure on emergency responders and healthcare facilities, allowing medical staff to concentrate on assisting those most at risk from the extreme temperatures.
The Fête de la Musique, which has been celebrated for more than four decades and traditionally takes place on the summer solstice, remains one of France’s largest public events. Last year alone, approximately two million people attended celebrations in Paris.
Forecasters expect the hottest conditions to occur on Monday, with temperatures potentially reaching levels close to historic records. Red heatwave alerts have been issued across large areas of western and central France, while numerous other regions remain under orange warnings.
The extreme weather is also affecting schools: nearly 850 educational institutions are scheduled to remain closed on Monday, while around 1,500 others will dismiss students earlier than usual.
The current heatwave, moving across western and Central Europe, is being fuelled by a mass of hot air moving north from the Sahara Desert. Other European countries are facing similar conditions. Italy has issued red heat alerts for eight cities, including Bologna, Florence, Milan and Turin. Meanwhile, Spain’s national weather agency has placed several regions under red and orange warnings and cautioned that temperatures could reach 40°C across much of the country.
The prolonged heat has already disrupted public services in France, leading to the cancellation of dozens of train services. Weather agency Météo-France said it remains unclear how long the heatwave will persist, although it estimates that roughly three-quarters of the French population could be affected.
To help residents and visitors cope with the high temperatures, Paris authorities have decided to keep parks and public gardens open overnight.
