France facing ‘exceptional’ early drought, almost all departments on drought alert

France’s summer drought is entering an ‘exceptional’ and ‘highly concerning’ period, the country’s Minister for Ecological Transition has stated. 

While summer droughts are expected, severe conditions have appeared around a month earlier than usual in 2026, said Minister Monique Barbut during a crisis meeting over the situation yesterday (July 15).

“What makes the situation so concerning is that it is occurring despite spring rainfall levels having been generally within the normal range,” the minister added, pointing out that climate conditions have caused “profound disruption to the water cycle.”

The current drought has seen a record number of departments issue warnings unusually early in the season.

As of Thursday (July 16), 99 departments had at least one commune with restrictions on water usage, or issuing preliminary alerts over sensible usage of water supplies.

This includes 43 departments with crise level alerts – the highest possible – implemented. 

This applies across tap, river, and well water. Crise alerts relate to tap water usage in 23 of the departments, with the map below showing tap water restrictions by department.

In areas where tap water usage is limited, restrictions can include bans on washing cars or watering plants/gardens – either at certain hours of the day or permanently – as well as limits on filling or topping up swimming pools. 

Information on how to check the official VigiEau website for restrictions in your area, and an overview of restriction levels, can be viewed in our article here. Remember, restrictions are given at a communal level and usually do not impact an entire department in the same way.

However, although below average, water aquifers themselves are not yet at critically low levels across most water basins in the country according to the most recent report by the Bureau de recherches géologiques et minières (BRGM).

The restrictions are being implemented early in an attempt to reduce the risk of prolonged shortages if rainfall later fails to replenish them.

Rivers running dry

Conditions have been exacerbated by three heatwaves since May, which has affected both above and underground water.

“Soil is the first to be affected... with moisture levels that are particularly low… close to record lows,” said Ms Barbut. 

Dried-out soil also fails to allow future rainfalls to penetrate, meaning even the water falling during the current stormy period is unlikely to filter down into the aquifers used for France’s tap water reserves.

These are not the only sources at risk however.

“Waterways are currently the primary area of concern: since the beginning of June, monthly flow rates have been dropping rapidly across the country, and nearly a third of monitoring points are showing levels below the minimums observed over the last 20 years," said Ms Barbut, adding that “a quarter of small streams have now run dry.” 

“This is an unprecedented situation since national monitoring began in 2012.”

While relatively few domestic homes use river water, several businesses – and the agriculture sector – depend on these waterways as a primary water source, meaning restrictions may last well into the autumn.