France recorded its hottest June since weather records began in 1947 as a powerful heatwave swept across the country, bringing temperatures above 40C and causing a sharp rise in deaths.
According to Météo-France, the country experienced an average temperature of 22.7C during June. That was 3.8C above the seasonal average recorded between 1991 and 2020. The weather agency said more than one-third of France experienced unusually high temperatures between June 17 and June 30.
The heatwave broke several national records. Temperatures reached or exceeded 40C in more than 40 percent of the country at least once during the extreme weather event. June 24 and June 25 also became the hottest average temperature days ever recorded in France, regardless of the month.
The record-breaking heat affected many parts of daily life. Schools closed to protect children from the extreme conditions, while several outdoor festivals and public events were cancelled because of health concerns.
The intense heat also placed heavy pressure on the country’s healthcare system. Public Health France reported a sharp increase in deaths during the hottest week of the month.
The agency said 8,973 deaths have been recorded so far for the week of June 22 to June 28. Although the figures remain incomplete, they are already 29 percent higher than the 6,948 deaths reported during the previous week, from June 15 to June 21.
Based on the current data, at least 2,025 additional deaths occurred during the hottest week compared with the week before. The figures include people of all ages and all causes of death. Health officials warned that the final number is expected to rise as more reports are received.
An earlier estimate released by the agency counted at least 1,000 additional deaths during only three of the hottest days. The latest update now shows the impact of the heatwave was much greater than first believed.
Hospitals across France treated growing numbers of patients suffering from heat-related illnesses. Doctors cared for people with dehydration, heat exhaustion, heart problems, kidney failure, and other medical emergencies linked to the extreme temperatures.
In Paris, emergency departments reported a steady rise in patients needing urgent treatment. Medical staff said the heat affected people of all ages, including children, older adults, and people with existing health conditions.
The heatwave also created pressure on funeral services in the French capital. Some funeral directors reported difficulty finding space to store bodies before burial or cremation because several mortuaries had reached full capacity.
Public Health France found the largest increase in deaths occurred in private homes, where fatalities rose by 91 percent compared with the previous week. Deaths in care homes for older people increased by 37 percent, while hospital deaths rose by nearly 20 percent.
The Paris region experienced the greatest impact. Health officials reported a 63 percent increase in deaths compared with the previous week, making it one of the hardest-hit areas during the heatwave.
Officials stressed that the current figures remain provisional because not every death has yet been registered. The health agency said the final death toll will almost certainly be higher once all records are collected and verified.
The heatwave was not limited to France. Several other European countries also experienced unusually high temperatures during June, continuing a pattern of increasingly frequent and intense summer heat across the continent.
Scientists have repeatedly warned that climate change is increasing the likelihood of longer, hotter, and more dangerous heatwaves. Higher temperatures place greater pressure on health systems, increase the risk of wildfires, and threaten vulnerable people, especially older adults and those with existing medical conditions.
French authorities continue to urge residents to stay hydrated, avoid unnecessary outdoor activity during the hottest hours, and check regularly on elderly relatives and neighbors. Officials say these simple steps can help reduce the health risks as periods of extreme heat become more common across Europe.
