Red Alert Covers a Quarter of the Country
France is in the grip of a severe heatwave that has placed 24 departments under a red alert, the highest warning level issued by Mu00e9tu00e9o-France. This zone, which includes the Paris region and stretches across the central-west of the country, is home to approximately 22.2 million people, according to an AFP calculation. The weather agency is urging u201cabsolute vigilanceu201d as temperatures are forecast to reach 39 or even 40 degrees Celsius locally.
An additional 59 departments are on orange alert, leaving only the southeast and the island of Corsica relatively spared. This marks the third such extreme heat episode to hit France in the last two months, and Mu00e9tu00e9o-France warns that the intense conditions are expected to persist until the middle of next week.
Holiday Travel Disrupted
The heatwave has arrived during the first major weekend of summer holiday departures, creating significant travel headaches. While high-speed TGV services are running normally for the July 14 bridge holiday, regional train services are being cut sharply. One in three regional trains will be canceled during the hottest hours of the day, with replacement coach services being offered to affected passengers.
On the roads, authorities are calling on drivers to u201cbe extra cautiousu201d due to the heat, which is compounding the risk in traffic jams. By midday, congestion had already reached 900 kilometers on the nationu2019s highways.
Wildfires and Arrests
The extreme heat is fueling a surge in wildfires across the country. President Emmanuel Macron issued a warning on X, stating that u201cnine out of ten fires are caused by human activity. A second of carelessness can threaten families, endanger those who protect us, and destroy our landscapes.u201d Since the start of summer, 32 people have been taken into custody in connection with fire-related incidents.
The scale of the damage is stark. More than 25,000 hectares have burned since the beginning of the year, nearly double the amount recorded at the same date in 2025, according to the Civil Security service. While the human toll is not comparable to the deadly fires in southern Spain that killed at least twelve people, scattered blazes are being reported in many areas, including regions in the west that are less accustomed to summer wildfires.
In the Savoie region, two villages have been cut off by a forest fire that has spread over 60 hectares. The prefecture reports that the fire is now u201cstabilized,u201d but several days of work are still needed to secure the road leading to the affected communities.
Heat-Related Deaths and Drownings
The health consequences of the heatwave are already being felt. Excess mortality has been recorded, particularly among people over 75, and the executive branch has faced criticism over a lack of preparedness for extreme heat. Climate scientists have repeatedly shown that such repeated heatwaves are an unequivocal marker of climate change, primarily caused by the burning of coal, oil, and gas. These episodes are expected to become more frequent, carrying heavy human and economic costs and demanding adaptation of infrastructure.
Another grim consequence is a sharp rise in drownings. The government reports that drownings have increased by around 20% compared to last year, with 131 people having drowned since June 19. The victims include both minors and those over 60.
Tourism and Festivities Affected
The heatwave is also taking a toll on tourism and festive events. In Paris, major tourist institutions including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre (some of whose rooms are not air-conditioned), and the Musu00e9e du2019Orsay have moved their closing time to 4:00 PM local time.
The police prefect has canceled the popular firefighter balls scheduled for July 13 and 14, as well as outdoor sporting events and any events planned in non-air-conditioned venues. Across France, numerous towns have also canceled their Bastille Day fireworks displays, further dampening the holiday spirit.
Source: AFP