It will be the second spell of hot temperatures this year, after an unusually scorching week in May smashed records in half of the country. “A heatwave episode will gradually set in across the country this week,” said Christelle Robert, of national weather service Météo-France. Temperatures were set to reach 36C or 37C in some areas on Wednesday, then peak at 40C in some regions on Sunday as the country celebrates summer solstice with its annual nationwide music festival, La Fête de la Musique. READ
ALSO: Which will be the hottest areas of France this week? In Paris, swimming would be allowed from Wednesday evening under lifeguard supervision in one part of the Canal Saint-Martin in the east of the city, mayor Emmanuel Grégoire said on Tuesday evening. Youth plunged into the canal during the scorching week last month. “Spending an enormous amount of energy, municipal police, and national police to stop young people from swimming when it was 40C. struck us as slightly absurd,” Grégoire said, however reminding youth
that jumping from the bridges was dangerous and remained forbidden. Alexandra Cordebard, the mayor of the capital’s 10th district, said allowing swimming in the canal earlier than scheduled in July was “a new way of fighting climate change and adapting the city”. From July 4th, swimmers will also be able to cool off at designated points along the Seine River, after it reopened to swimmers last summer for the first time in a century. READ ALSO: Everything you need to know about swimming in the
Seine in summer 2026 Studies and scientific bodies agree that heatwaves in Europe are becoming more frequent as a consequence of climate change. Météo France says that of the 51 heatwaves recorded nationwide since 1947, 34 have occurred since 2000 and 26 since 2011. Global average temperatures are likely to continue at or near record levels this year and for the next four years afterwards, the United Nations has warned. READ ALSO: In numbers: Yes, summers in France are getting hotter
France heatwave Paris Canal Saint-Martin swimming allowed Météo-France 40C Emmanuel Grégoire Alexandra Cordebard La Fête de la Musique Seine River swimmers July 4 climate change