France Faces Fresh Heatwave, Rail Disruptions

A new heatwave is sweeping across France, disrupting rail travel and forcing schools to alter schedules or suspend classes as temperatures are forecast to approach 40°C in the coming days.

French weather authorities have placed a quarter of the country, including Paris, under an orange alert, the second-highest warning level, and urged residents to exercise extreme caution and stay hydrated.

According to Météo-France, the heatwave is expected to intensify through next week, with peak temperatures likely on Sunday and Monday. Forecasters warn that the summer solstice could further amplify the heat due to longer daylight hours.

Several municipalities are considering temporary school closures, while dozens of schools have already adjusted teaching hours to protect students from extreme temperatures. In Paris, around 10 schools have modified operations for the remainder of the week.

The heat has also affected transport networks, with SNCF cancelling 71 long-distance train services between Thursday and Monday to reduce the risk of air-conditioning failures.

Climate experts say increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves are a clear sign of climate change, with France experiencing its second major heat event of 2026 after record-breaking temperatures were recorded across much of the country earlier this year.