Temperatures are expected to fall in France from Thursday evening after another day of extreme heat that put 72 of mainland France's 96 departments on red alert, affecting more than 50 million people.
Issued on: 25/06/2026 - 12:18
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Forecasters said Wednesday was the hottest day ever recorded in the country, with the national temperature indicator – an average of day and night temperatures across 30 stations – reaching 30C. The mercury peaked at 43.8C in Palluau, in the western Vendée department. Météo-France said the first signs of a break in the heatwave were expected in the west, with stormy conditions on Thursday evening bringing a gradual drop in temperatures along the Atlantic coast on Friday. Eleven departments were expected to be downgraded from red to orange alert from Thursday evening, although officials urged continued vigilance, particularly for older people, young children, outdoor workers and those living alone. What is France's heatwave warning system and how does it work? Health Minister Catherine Vautrin appealed for people to check on isolated relatives and neighbours, saying small gestures could make a real difference during the crisis. The prefecture of Pas-de-Calais reported three deaths that were likely to be linked to the heatwave, with the victims including an elderly man who had been working outdoors and two people who died at home and had medical conditions. In Paris, Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire said the capital had seen an “increase in mortality” linked to the heatwave, without giving figures – adding that emergency calls, fire brigade interventions and hospital admissions were all at critical levels.
