PARIS, FRANCE / EuroWire / – France expanded heatwave alerts and adjusted public services as temperatures reached 40°C before the official start of summer. Météo-France placed 53 departments under orange heatwave alert from Friday noon. The affected belt stretched from the southwest toward the northeast. Paris and the wider Île-de-France region faced highs near 36°C to 37°C. Officials warned that the heat posed health risks for older people, children, outdoor workers and those with medical conditions.
The heatwave also disrupted transport. SNCF cancelled or changed some high-speed and long-distance train services as extreme temperatures affected operations across parts of the rail network. Several routes linking major cities, including Paris, Toulouse, Clermont-Ferrand, Bordeaux and Marseille, faced disruption. Passengers were asked to check travel updates before leaving for stations. Rail companies often adjust services during severe heat because tracks, power systems and equipment can face stress in prolonged hot weather.
School schedules also changed in several areas. Around 10 middle schools in Paris introduced special measures for Thursday and Friday, including partial class suspensions. Schools in Toulouse also announced early closures for both days. Education officials said pupils would remain supervised where classes changed during the school day. The measures came as France held end-of-year classes and national exams during one of the earliest intense heat episodes of the season.
Heat alerts widen across France
The national forecaster said the heat would remain intense through the weekend and into Monday. A provisional reading of 40.2°C was recorded Thursday in Montmorillon in the western department of Vienne. Other locations also neared 40°C, including parts of Allier, Indre and Cher. Friday was expected to bring highs of 36°C to 38°C in the southwest. The heat was forecast to ease slightly in parts of northern France on Saturday.
Temperatures were then expected to climb again Sunday. The southwest could reach 40°C or more, while Monday could be hotter across a wider area. The heatwave began after a warm night across much of the country. Some areas stayed near or above 20°C overnight, reducing the chance for homes and public buildings to cool. The weather service said the event met heatwave criteria because high day and night temperatures would last several days.
Schools and services adjust schedules
France’s education plan allows local authorities to adapt school operations during heatwaves. Schools may change timetables, move activities to cooler rooms, increase access to water or limit outdoor activity. Closures can occur when local officials decide that pupils and staff cannot be received safely. Exam sites may also adjust arrangements when heat threatens safe conditions for candidates or staff. The current episode hit during a busy academic period that includes oral tests and end-of-year assessments.
The heatwave followed an unusually hot spell in May and marked another early-season test for French public services. Authorities also advised people to drink water, avoid the hottest hours, limit physical activity and check on vulnerable residents. Several municipalities cancelled public music events planned for the weekend. State power operator EDF warned that three nuclear plants could face production limits next week because of high river temperatures on the Rhône and Garonne.