France records its hottest day on record as relief nears

Record heat across France

France recorded its hottest day on record on June 24, according to Météo-France and multiple major outlets, as a severe heatwave pushed temperatures to dangerous levels across much of the country.

Le Monde reported that France's national temperature indicator reached 30.0°C, exceeding previous peaks in 2019 and 2023. The same reporting said Paris reached 40.3°C and Cazaux reached 43.6°C.

The record came after several days of escalating heat across Western Europe. Le Monde said the episode was already being treated as a historic heatwave, and a Météo-France official compared it in severity with 2003, the benchmark heat disaster in France.

Alerts and local disruptions

Météo-France placed 86 of France's 101 departments under red or orange heat alerts. AP separately reported that about three-quarters of the country was under a red heat alert, which is consistent with the broader national warning picture.

The heat also affected public life in visible ways. AP reported that the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre shortened visiting hours because of the weather.

Le Monde said the capital did not fall below 27°C overnight, describing it as a record high nighttime temperature for Paris. That matters because hot nights reduce the body's ability to recover from extreme daytime heat.

Health and infrastructure pressure

The strain was not limited to temperature readings. Le Monde reported a 15% to 20% rise in SAMU emergency calls and said emergency departments were under pressure, though the Health Ministry said hospitals were holding for now.

AP reported power outages in Brittany caused by heat-related equipment failures. That added to concerns about the impact of the heat on electricity infrastructure as demand and equipment stress rise during extreme temperatures.

The public-health stakes are highest for older people, people with chronic illness and people without reliable cooling. The heatwave also raises risks for transport, school operations, tourism and local emergency services.

What forecasters expect next

Météo-France said relief should begin first on the Atlantic coast on Thursday evening, with broader easing expected by early next week, around Monday or Tuesday.

Le Monde quoted forecasters saying Thursday would remain very hot, though slightly cooler than Wednesday. The expected cooldown is gradual rather than abrupt, which means the country may still face several more difficult days before the emergency eases.

Officials are also watching for wildfire risk in the south and west if heat and drought conditions persist. For now, the main forecast is for a slow decline in temperatures, not an immediate end to the episode.