A relentless heatwave has branded 49 of France’s 96 regions with a red alert, signalling temperatures that are expected to exceed 40 °C across western France, with Bordeaux possibly reaching 43 °C.
The French Ministry of Education reports that 845 schools have been closed for the day, and another 1,800 have permitted students to finish classes early. Full‑scale public services are being adjusted – 63 million people are said to be affected under orange alerts nationwide.
The heat’s intensity forced the government to ban alcohol at the annual Fête de la Musique, a street‑festival that draws crowds across cities, after temperatures hit 40 °C over the weekend.
In the south‑west Gironde region, local authorities reported three deaths of residents aged between 80 and 95 during the spike of heat, a grim indicator of the crisis.
Health Minister Stéphanie Rist urged people to watch over vulnerable relatives, as the heatwave is forecast to continue unabated for the rest of the week, with temperatures remaining in the 36–40 °C band across much of the country.
SNCF, France’s national railway, has advised vulnerable passengers to avoid or delay train travel, and several lines in Paris reduced services on Monday due to the high temperatures. Belgium’s train operator has also announced cancellations during peak hours on Monday and Tuesday.
The heatwave has drawn a record-high forecast across Europe – Madrid’s temperature could reach 39 °C and Rome 37 °C – underscoring the continent‑wide severity of the climate event.
