French wildfires that have scorched an area more than four times the size of Paris and forced thousands of tourists to flee could end the traditional European holiday – with Britons flocking to “coolcations” instead.
More than 250,000 people have been evacuated from affected regions, including 4,000 residents and visitors from tourist sites west of Bordeaux on Tuesday.
The wildfires around Bordeaux, in the south-west of France, have been described by President Emmanuel Macron as the country’s most severe fire-related crisis since the Second World War.
Southern Europe ‘no longer a relaxing summer escape’
Dr Liz Bentley, chief executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, said: “These wildfires are a stark reminder that France, as well as Spain, Italy and other European holiday destinations, are becoming increasingly exposed to extreme heat and risk.
