Lead

France is enduring its second extreme heat event of the year, with more than half of the country's population under severe weather warnings and temperatures expected to exceed 40C (104F) in many regions. The heatwave has prompted school closures, rail cancellations, and urgent appeals from officials for citizens to protect the most vulnerable.

Coverage comparison

Reports from France 24, The Guardian, and RFI describe a heatwave of unusual intensity and duration. France 24 noted that more than half of France is on alert, with temperatures in Paris potentially soaring above 40C for the first time on a June day. The Guardian reported that more than half of France's population is under a severe weather warning, with temperatures expected to exceed 40C. RFI added that the heatwave is already the second of the year, following a scorching week in May that broke records across the continent.

The heatwave has drawn comparisons to France's worst hot spell on record in August 2003, when nearly 15,000 people died. Météo-France climatologist Matthieu Sorel told reporters that the 2026 heatwave could be of the same duration and severity, with temperatures remaining high even at night, in some urban areas failing to drop below 25C.

Key claims

  • More than half of France's population is under a severe weather warning, as reported by The Guardian and RFI.
  • Temperatures are expected to exceed 40C in many regions, including Paris, with some forecasts reaching 41C, according to RFI and The Guardian.
  • A 30-year-old man died after going into cardiac arrest on an athletics track near Paris on Thursday, as reported by The Guardian.
  • Rail operator SNCF cancelled 71 intercity trains due to the heat, according to The Guardian.
  • Authorities closed 3,500 schools considered too dangerously hot and reduced hours at a further 10,000, as reported by The Guardian.
  • Hundreds of schools will remain closed on Monday, and nearly 2,000 are preparing to send pupils home early, according to RFI.
  • The heatwave has put pressure on public services, workplaces, and transport systems across Europe, as reported by RFI.
  • Scientists say human-driven climate change is amplifying such extremes, with extreme heat, droughts, and floods becoming more intense and frequent, according to RFI.
  • The UK recorded its hottest ever June temperature on Wednesday, as reported by RFI.
  • Temperatures are expected to fall in France from Thursday evening, with stormy conditions bringing a gradual drop along the Atlantic coast, according to RFI.

Perspectives

French government

President Emmanuel Macron called for "extreme vigilance from everyone," asking citizens to "take care of our oldest and most vulnerable people" and follow government advice. Education Minister Édouard Geffray said exams would go ahead despite record temperatures, with measures such as morning-only sessions, spaced-out desks, and water distribution. Health Minister Catherine Vautrin appealed for people to check on isolated relatives and neighbours.

Education unions

Several teaching unions issued a joint statement denouncing a "blatant lack of preparation" by the government, after teachers had to work in classrooms where temperatures reached up to 40C. They said the health of staff and pupils was being put at risk and suggested staff strike individually wherever and whenever they felt it necessary.

Météo-France

France's national weather service warned of a "widespread, prolonged and intense" heatwave, with temperatures likely to plateau at extremely high levels until Thursday. Météo-France said Sunday and Monday could be among the hottest days ever recorded across France, with the national heat index approaching all-time highs.