France has declared a state of maximum alert in about a quarter of its territory due to a heatwave that is also fueling wildfires, while several tourist attractions such as the Eiffel Tower have decided to close early.

Twenty-four departments in the west-central part of the country, including the Paris region, home to 22.2 million people according to AFP calculations, are under maximum alert — the 'red level' declared by the meteorological agency, which recommends 'utmost vigilance'.

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While 59 other departments are on orange alert (level two) due to weather conditions, only the southeastern regions and the island of Corsica remain relatively spared from the third heatwave in two months.

Peak of Summer Vacation

The meteorological agency warned that temperatures could reach 39 or even 40 degrees Celsius 'in some areas,' noting that the extreme heatwave will continue until mid-next week. During this weekend, which marks the peak of the summer vacation, high-speed TGV trains will run normally coinciding with the extended national holiday, but one in three regional train services will be cancelled during the hottest hours of the day, with alternative buses provided. Authorities urged drivers to exercise 'extra caution' due to the heat and heavy traffic.

Wildfires in France

Under these conditions, wildfires are increasing. French President Emmanuel Macron warned on X (formerly Twitter) that '9 out of 10 forest fires are caused by human activity,' adding that 'a second of negligence can threaten families, endanger those who protect us, and destroy our landscapes.' Since the beginning of summer, police have arrested 32 people suspected of involvement in arson. More than 25,000 hectares have burned since the start of the year, almost double the area recorded by the same date in 2025, according to civil defense.