France Issues Red Heat Alerts for 35 Departments as Temperatures Approach 42 °C

French authorities placed more than one-third of the country under a red heat alert on Sunday, issuing the highest danger-to-life warning for a record 35 of the 96 mainland departments while 45 others received an orange warning. Level one or two alerts covered about 53 million people, or 76 percent of the population.

Météo-France stated that very high temperatures are setting in for the long term and described the heatwave as of exceptional severity and duration.

Temperatures could exceed 40 °C in many places on Sunday, with some areas forecast to reach 42 °C or beyond from Monday. The national heat index, an average of day- and night-time highs at 30 weather stations, is expected to hit its highest ever level. The nationwide Fête de la Musique, held every year on the summer solstice with free street performances, prompted additional measures.

Culture Minister Catherine Pégard urged extreme vigilance, and several towns cancelled pre-7 pm performances or moved them indoors. Many towns banned drinking on the street and in public spaces in red-alert areas, and no alcohol was on sale at municipally organised events. In Paris, high-alcohol beers, fortified wines and spirits were banned along the banks of the Seine and the Canal St-Martin.

Nearly 5,000 police and 2,500 emergency and health service workers were deployed across Paris. City hall installed more than 1,300 free public water fountains, and more than 1,500 local shops signed up to fill personal water bottles without charge. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu convened a government heat crisis meeting on Saturday and planned another on Sunday.

More than 800 schools announced they would not open on Monday, while another 1,800 rescheduled classes and end-of-year exams. SNCF head Jean Castex advised vulnerable passengers to avoid taking the train and postpone journeys if possible. The heatwave also prompted expanded warnings elsewhere in Europe.