France records hottest day ever as heatwave intensifies

France experienced its hottest day since national measurements began in 1947 on Tuesday, as an intense and prolonged heatwave continued to grip the country, according to Meteo-France. At 3:00 p.m. local time (1300GMT), the national thermal indicator reached 29.6°C (85.2°F), surpassing the previous record of 29.4°C set in July 2019 and matched during the 2003 heatwave. By 6:30 p.m., 336 temperature records had been broken across the country, including 131 all-time highs, with peaks exceeding 44°C in several locations.

Health and school closures

The extreme temperatures prompted authorities to activate the ORSAN health emergency plan at level 2, strengthening coordination across hospitals and emergency medical services. Health data reported a 120% rise in emergency consultations for dehydration in the last week, alongside a 20% increase in heat-related fainting cases. Among people over 75, cases of general health deterioration and falls increased. More than 1,800 schools have been closed and 8,000 others adjusted their schedules, according to the Education Ministry. Fire services were deployed after a forest fire broke out near Serrieres-de-Briord.

Landmarks and public response

Several landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum, introduced operational changes due to the conditions. The weather service placed 58 departments under a red alert, with the heatwave expected to continue in the coming days.