France bans alcohol at Fête de la Musique as 41°C heatwave hits 35 departments
French authorities have imposed a public alcohol ban on one of the country’s biggest cultural nights, the Fête de la Musique, as a heatwave pushes temperatures up to 41°C and forces hundreds of schools to close.
On Saturday, the French government held a crisis meeting as a severe heatwave approached. By Sunday, temperatures were forecast to hit 38 to 41 degrees Celsius, prompting Météo France to place 35 départements under a red alert, the highest warning level. Paris was among them, with the agency warning the red zone could expand further in coming days.
Alcohol prohibition during la Fête
To relieve pressure on emergency services, the office of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a ban on alcohol consumption in public spaces across all red-alert départements from midday on 21 June. Local prefects were instructed to issue the necessary orders, and state-organised events would serve no alcohol. The prohibition falls on the day of the nationwide Fête de la Musique, a festival featuring thousands of concerts.
The ban applies on 21 June in all departments that will be under the highest heat warning from Sunday midday.
- Crisis meeting held; government announces alcohol ban for the following day.
- Red heat alert begins for 35 départements; public alcohol ban in effect during Fête de la Musique.
- Temperatures expected to peak at up to 41°C; high wildfire risk; emergency services on alert.
- 845 primary and middle schools closed; 1,800 institutions adjust schedules, sending pupils home early afternoon.
Schools shuttered and public warnings
Education Minister Édouard Geffray announced that 845 primary and middle schools would close on Monday, with a further 1,800 institutions adapting timetables to send pupils home in the early afternoon. President Emmanuel Macron appealed on X for vigilance, writing,
Water-misting devices were set up at the Eiffel Tower and other Paris landmarks to cool crowds, while former prime minister and now SNCF railway chief Jean Castex advised vulnerable persons to avoid train travel.Let us together look after our elderly fellow citizens, our children and people who are alone or in need of protection.
Wildfire risk and historical echoes
Emergency services and the military have been placed on alert for possible wildfires, with Météo France also warning of a high forest-fire danger in some areas. The heatwave has revived memories of the catastrophic 2003 event, when around 15,000 elderly people died. With 60 additional départements under an orange warning and readings of up to 38 degrees, authorities are focusing on protecting the homeless, care-home residents, and those living alone.
