As France scorches under its hottest evenings on record and search for water, more towns are regulating what people wear away from the water.

Workers sweated in choking heat and pupils stayed home on Tuesday as an early-summer heatwave smothered much of Europe, with France suffering its hottest day on record.

PARIS — France recorded its hottest day ever Tuesday as an early heat wave gripped Europe, prompting the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre museum to rest...