Relief at last as cooler weather arrives

Météo-France has lifted its orange heatwave alert for the southeast of the country, as cooler conditions finally bring some much-needed respite after days of sweltering heat.

But forecasters warned that high temperatures are still expected in the Côte d'Azur and Corsica, though the mercury will remain noticeably lower than in recent days - which will come as a relief for people in departments such as Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Hautes-Alpes, Alpes-Maritimes, Ardèche, Bouches-du-Rhône, Corse-du-Sud, Haute-Corse, Drôme, Gard, Hérault, Var and Vaucluse, who have endured baking temperatures for several days.

While temperatures in Provence and Corsica are still expected to touch 36C, in most areas where the sun has been beating down, Sunday will remain cloudy with occasional showers, with storms forecast in Alpine areas around midday before the rain clears later in the afternoon.

High temperatures elsewhere will be lower than in recent days, ranging from 28C to 33C in the Mediterranean region, 24C to 28C in the southwest and central-eastern regions, and between 22C and 26C in the north.