Updated June 26: alcohol banned in Paris as heatwave pummels east and north
Hospitals fear influx of patients
A number of events have been cancelled in Paris, and people will be unable to drink outside this weekend. Archive photo shows residents of the city cooling down at the start of the June 2026 heatwave
Sipa US / Alamy Stock Photo
France’s record-breaking heatwave continues into the weekend in several regions as an all-time temperature record was set for the third consecutive day.
Emergency heatwave plans and special measures to combat the heat have been raised across the country, including an alcohol ban in Paris.
The arrival of storms on the western coast yesterday evening means red level alerts have dropped in the west, although 61 departments remain on the highest warning for heatwaves in the west, centre, and east.
Local heat records may be set again today, particularly in the east around the German border.
Despite the heatwave, some 850,000 students in lycées across France will begin sitting their Brevet (middle school exams) today. Some older students have seen their Baccalaureate exams delayed by a few days to avoid sitting them in high temperatures.
Hospitals fear busy weekend
Warnings over very high hospital admissions have been raised across France, with centres near the capital ‘saturated’ with patients.
In the west, hospitals fear an extreme weekend with record admissions, after several activated their emergency plan blanc earlier in the week.
“We are concerned about the coming weekend because we know activity will be intense due to the effects of the heatwave,” said head of CHU Rennes emergency department Louis Soulat to FranceInfo.
“One might think there will be fewer cases of heat-related illness [because of temperatures being cooler at the weekend than mid-week] but indoor temperatures won't drop as quickly,” he said, with the heatwave causing a “delayed effect” on bodies.
"Hospitalisations for people whose chronic conditions are destabilising won't automatically decrease,” he added, and pointed towards those aged 50+ and living alone as particularly vulnerable and at-risk.
He referenced a number of deaths recorded by emergency services over recent days in Brittany, largely of people who live alone.
Official statistics over the number of deaths caused by the heatwave will not be available until the crisis is over, however 55 deaths by drowning have been reported in the last week, alongside incidents of children dying in hot cars.
Alcohol sales, public consumption banned in Paris
In Paris, public consumption of alcohol will be banned between 12:00 Friday - 07:00 on Saturday, and 12:00 Saturday to 07:00 on Sunday.
Likewise, shops will be banned from selling alcohol between 18:00 Friday - 07:00 Saturday and 18:00 Saturday - 07:00 Sunday.
Drinking inside establishments (bars, cafés, pubs, etc) is permitted.
Anyone caught drinking outside faces a €135 fine.
The city has also increased its Orsan health emergency plan from level 2 to level 3.
A number of events in Paris as well as several other cities have been cancelled due to the heatwave.
This includes the city's Pride march. Originally scheduled for Saturday, it has been postponed to September, organisers announced this morning.
If you are planning on attending a specific event this weekend, check official websites for updates.
TGV tickets can be cancelled or exchanged for free
In order to reduce the number of passengers taken ill on trains, state rail operator SNCF has confirmed that those travelling on upcoming TGV (InOui or OuiGo services) can exchange their ticket free of charge or cancel it for a full refund.
The measure applies to all train journeys of this type, and will last until at least Sunday (June 28) possibly extended based on the progression of the heatwave.
