A severe heatwave is sweeping across France, forcing iconic Parisian landmarks to limit their operating hours throughout the weekend. The Eiffel Tower has announced it will close its doors at 4 pm on both Saturday and Sunday, while the Louvre Museum plans to shutter at the same time, continuing the practice through Monday. Additionally, the Musée d’Orsay has scheduled closures starting at 5 pm from Saturday through Wednesday.
The extreme weather has prompted Météo-France to issue a red heat alert for 24 departments in the northwestern part of the country, impacting over 22 million residents. Meteorologists expect temperatures to climb between 35°C and 38°C in most regions, with some areas, including Burgundy and Pays de la Loire, potentially reaching peaks of 39°C. Much of the remaining territory is currently under an orange alert as the nation prepares for the upcoming Bastille Day festivities on 14 July.
This latest event marks the third heatwave to strike France since May. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire convened a crisis meeting on Friday to address the situation. The city is implementing extended heatwave protocols, which include keeping parks and swimming pools open for longer durations, providing access to drinking water stations, and offering increased support for the city’s most vulnerable residents.
The sweltering conditions are also affecting broader Europe. In Spain, authorities are managing the aftermath of a devastating wildfire in the southeastern province of Almería, where at least 12 people have died and over 1,400 were evacuated. Officials suspect a fallen power line may have ignited the blaze. Meanwhile, Italy is facing a critical drought situation as water reserves in the River Po basin continue to decline, posing a significant threat to local agriculture.
Spain's national weather agency AEMET said high temperatures were expected across much of the Iberian Peninsula on Saturday afternoon, with highs of up to 36°C to 38°C.
