Hottest mid-Oct weekend since '54

SEASIDE businesses have enjoyed an exceptionally busy weekend, with most of France enjoying summer-like temperatures not seen in late October for 60 years.

Temperatures reached 30°C in Biarritz on Saturday, 25°C in Paris and 24°C in Strasbourg.

According to official forecaster Météo France, in some regions the past few days have been the hottest on record for mid-October since 1954.

The average for this time of year is 16°C in the north and 19°C in the south.

Beaches are not normally patrolled by lifeguards as late as October. One volunteer organisation was on stand-by in Biarritz.

A 47-year-old Austrian man drowned in the Landes after going for a swim after reportedly drinking alcohol.

Elsewhere, several people along the Gironde coast were hospitalised after getting trouble at sea and being rescued by fellow bathers.

The weather is expected to worsen from Monday, with temperatures falling back to about 15°C and rain forecast on Tuesday.

However, there remains some hope that the Toussaint holidays at the end of October will be mild, with an improvement due from this Thursday.