Paris Landmarks Close Early as Heatwave Hits France

The Eiffel Tower will close at 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday, its operator said, citing forecast high temperatures. The Louvre will close at 4 pm from Friday through Monday, and the Musee d'Orsay will close at 5 pm from Saturday through Wednesday.

Twenty-four departments across northwestern France, home to 22.2 million people, are under the highest red heat alert level issued by Meteo-France on Saturday. Another 59 departments remain under orange warnings. Temperatures are expected to reach 35°C to 38°C across most regions, with peaks up to 39°C from Burgundy to Pays de la Loire.

Many towns have cancelled fireworks displays for the July 14 national holiday because of elevated fire risk and dry conditions. Wildfires have already burned twice as much land this year compared with the same period in 2025. High temperatures are forecast to continue until Bastille Day.

France has recorded 2,025 excess deaths linked to the June heatwave and 300 excess deaths from the late-May heatwave, according to official figures. This marks the third heatwave to affect the country since May.

“A single second of inattention can put families at risk, endanger those who protect us and destroy our countryside.”