France bans alcohol at Fête de la Musique as record heatwave places 35 departments under red alert
Record-breaking heat in France forced the government to impose unprecedented restrictions on the annual music celebration, while other European nations also swelter under extreme temperatures.
Record-breaking heat alerts
France placed 35 of its 96 departments under a red-level heat alert for Sunday, a record number, with temperatures forecast to reach 39 to 41 degrees Celsius. The heatwave, described by Météo-France as an "episode of exceptional intensity" comparable to the July 2019 and August 2003 events, affects 26 million people living in the red zone. Another 45 departments are under orange alert, meaning over three-quarters of the French population is enduring extreme heat.
- France (peak)
- 41 °C
- Germany
- 38 °C
- Italy
- 37 °C
In Lyon, residents lined up before the opening of the Tony Garnier aquatic center. Jocelyne, a 77-year-old pensioner, waited under plane trees.
I'm longing for water, for coolness. At the pool it's different than at home, where after a shower, in 15 minutes it's like you haven't done anything.
Alcohol banned at Fête de la Musique
The extreme heat coincides with the Fête de la Musique, the annual street music festival that draws millions every summer solstice. Following a crisis meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, the government banned alcohol consumption at all public events in departments under red alert on Sunday. State-organized events were instructed not to serve alcohol.
The aim is to maintain functional emergency and health services and allow medical staff to focus on caring for the most vulnerable.
Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire stressed the dangers.
The combination of alcohol, heat and proximity to water – these are three risk factors that don't mix well.
Other emergency measures
Local authorities took further steps. In Gironde, Prefect Sophie Brocas ordered all daytime outdoor, sports, festive and cultural events banned. The national railway SNCF suspended 71 trains from Thursday through Monday evening. In Nouvelle-Aquitaine, some baccalaureate afternoon exams scheduled for Monday and Tuesday were postponed. Culture Minister Catherine Pégard called for "extreme vigilance" and left final decisions on maintaining or cancelling festivities to prefectures and municipalities. In Paris, parks and gardens were kept open overnight to offer residents a cool refuge.
- 35 departments placed under red heat alert, a record
- Fête de la Musique events held with alcohol ban in red-alert zones
- Paris parks and gardens kept open overnight
- Temperatures forecast to reach peak levels
- Baccalaureate exams postponed in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Heatwave spreads across Europe
Germany's national weather service issued warnings for nearly the entire country, with temperatures expected near 38 degrees Celsius and the risk of severe storms due to humidity. Italy saw highs of 36 to 37 degrees. In Rome, tourists queued under scorching sun at the Colosseum, while many sought refuge in underground spaces beneath the ruins of the Temple of Claudius. In Bologna, people cooled off at the Neptune Fountain. Spain's football federation closed the fan zone in Madrid's Plaza Colón for the national team's World Cup match against Saudi Arabia, citing the extreme heat.
Climate link
Scientists warned that climate change is making heatwaves more frequent and intense across Europe, heightening risks to public health and the economy.
