French authorities placed 49 of the country’s 96 departments under red heat alerts on Monday as an intensifying heatwave pushed temperatures above 40C in western areas with Bordeaux forecast to reach 43C. The measures which include orange alerts in dozens of other departments affect an estimated 63 million people according to national weather service Météo-France. Three people aged between 80 and 95 died in the Gironde region over the weekend with heat listed as a partial cause local officials reported.
Météo-France described the heatwave as widespread long-lasting and intense with no significant temperature drop expected until the end of the week. Highs between 36C and 40C are forecast for much of the rest of France beyond the western peak zones the service added in its assessment. The conditions follow a weekend that saw temperatures hit 40C prompting authorities to impose an alcohol ban at the Fête de la Musique festival which draws crowds to city streets across the country.
The education ministry closed 845 schools for the day and allowed 1,800 students to finish classes early as part of precautions for young people. These steps form part of a broader response that includes urging vulnerable groups to limit exposure to the heat. In Paris residents sought relief near canals and other cooling spots amid the high temperatures.
Health Minister Stéphanie Rist told French public broadcaster TV1 Info on Monday that many fellow citizens will suffer during the hot weather and called on people to keep a close eye on relatives and neighbours. Her comments came as the health system prepares for increased strain from the prolonged heat. Santé Publique France figures show nearly 33,000 heat-related deaths occurred between 2014 and 2022 with 28 percent taking place during officially defined heatwave periods.
A Euronews report drawing on an Oxfam study placed average annual heatwave deaths in France at around 5,400 with higher impacts in more deprived areas. The data underscores the cumulative toll of rising temperatures on public health particularly among the elderly. Rist emphasised vigilance as temperatures remain elevated through the week.
The national railway operator SNCF advised vulnerable passengers to avoid or postpone travel while several Paris train lines reduced services due to the heat. Belgium’s rail operator cancelled some peak-hour trains for Monday and Tuesday in response to similar conditions. These disruptions highlight the wider operational challenges posed by extreme weather across transport networks.
Record highs are also forecast elsewhere in Europe with Madrid expected to reach 39C and Rome 37C according to regional meteorological updates. The pattern aligns with a series of intense heat events that have affected the continent in recent years. World Health Organization data places annual global heat-related deaths at approximately 489,000 with 36 percent occurring in Europe.
