France ends record heatwave with over 1,000 dead, braces for new one as 30,000 air conditioners head to hospitals

A record-shattering heatwave

France has just emerged from 10 days of extreme heat that proved to be its most intense heatwave ever. From 17 to 28 June, temperatures soared to 42°C in Paris, while the national average reached 29°C. The event left over 1,000 excess deaths, making it one of the deadliest climate episodes in recent French history.

A second wave on the horizon

Even as the mercury dips temporarily, Météo-France warns that another heatwave is likely to begin this weekend. Forecaster Patrick Galois said temperatures will rise from Friday, "undoubtedly above 35°C" in parts of the south. The meteorological agency expects orange alerts to spread again from the Mediterranean coast, though the full intensity remains uncertain.

“From Friday and the weekend, we again expect very high temperatures, undoubtedly above 35°C.”

On 30 June, four southeastern departments (Var, Alpes-Maritimes, Corse-du-Sud and Haute-Corse) remained under orange vigilance, with highs up to 37°C. The rest of the country saw relief, but forecasters foresee a renewed "warm anomaly" early next week.

Government races to cool hospitals

The health system bore the brunt of the first heatwave, with hospitals struggling in stifling conditions. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that 30,000 air conditioners had been ordered on 26 June and that first deliveries would reach hospitals by the end of this week. Lecornu also ordered ministers to develop new plans for extreme heat, reflecting the government's recognition of the growing threat.

“The first thousands will be delivered at the end of the week, beginning of next week. It is an absolute priority for us, in case the phenomenon returns, to have a hospital situation that is much gentler, much cushioned.”

Yann Penverne, president of SAMU Urgence de France, stressed the urgency: "We hope it arrives as fast as possible because many hospitals are trying to manage in extremely difficult conditions, which are correlated with excess mortality when room temperatures rise."

“We hope it arrives as fast as possible because many hospitals are trying to manage in extremely difficult conditions, which are correlated with excess mortality when room temperatures rise.”

Adapting exams and workplaces

The heatwave has forced a rethink in education. With consensus at the education ministry, no baccalauréat or brevet examinations will be held in the afternoon from the 2027 session onward, acknowledging the severity of summer heat. Beyond schools, a government analysis notes deep disruptions across agriculture, teaching and other professions, highlighting the need for sector-wide adaptation.

Calls for stronger climate action

The successive heatwaves strengthen calls for stronger climate mitigation. In a Le Monde commentary, analysts argue the crisis "shows, beyond any doubt, that without strong mitigation measures, adaptation will be impossible." The two heatwaves are driving demands for faster emission cuts to limit the frequency of such deadly extremes.