France’s record-breaking heatwave is set to continue on Thursday, with Météo-France placing 72 departments under red heatwave vigilance, a sharp rise from 58 on Wednesday.
Fourteen additional departments will enter red alert: Ardennes, Marne, Meuse, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Haute-Marne, Moselle, Vosges, Jura, Doubs, Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin, Haute-Saône, Loire, and Territoire de Belfort.
Seventeen departments remain under orange alert.
High temperatures and extreme conditions are expected to persist until Sunday, with the peak anticipated on Saturday and temperature forecasts ranging from 38C to 42C.
While Thursday will remain extremely hot across most of France, Météo-France is also warning about cooler Atlantic air arriving later in the day in the west of the country, triggering a band of thunderstorms moving in from the south-west. These storms may be accompanied by strong gusts of wind reaching 80-90km/h.
Meanwhile, the health impact of the heatwave is already being felt nationwide. Hospitals in several regions have activated the emergency ‘plan blanc,’ allowing them to reorganise services and prioritise heat-related admissions.
The system enables the postponement of non-urgent procedures, mobilisation of additional staff, and increased emergency capacity.
National public health agency Santé publique France reports a sharp rise in emergency visits for heat-related conditions such as hyperthermia, dehydration, and hyponatremia.
The prefecture of Finistère is also introducing protective measures, including temporary bans on swimming, shore fishing, and water sports in high-risk areas.
#Littoral ⚠️ | Interdiction temporaire de baignade, de pêche à pied et de certains loisirs nautiques sur plusieurs communes du Finistère Sud
En raison du risque de dégradation de la qualité des eaux littorales lié à la coupure d’électricité en cours depuis le 23 juin 2026, le… pic.twitter.com/DHSPrUwRuk
This comes as authorities have reported a rise in fatal drownings during the heatwave. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said that 40 people drowned between June 18 and 22, as many sought relief from extreme temperatures by entering rivers, lakes, and coastal waters.
Similar restrictions have also been introduced in Seine-et-Marne, where authorities have banned swimming in rivers such as the Seine, Marne, Loing, and Yonne as well as in lakes and ponds following multiple recent drownings in unsupervised areas.
Find helpful links during France’s heatwave below:
