Paris landmarks shutter early as quarter of France swelters under heatwave

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, July 12, 2026

Paris landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and major museums, closed early over the weekend as a widespread heatwave triggered the highest-level heat alerts across much of mainland France. The extreme temperatures have intensified wildfire risks, leading to canceled Bastille Day fireworks and prompting government warnings amid growing concerns about climate change and public safety.

Paris landmarks including the Eiffel Tower and prominent museums announced early closures over the weekend as a significant portion of mainland France experienced its highest level of heat alert amid a persistent heatwave. The move comes as a quarter of the country endured record-breaking temperatures, marking the third major heatwave since May.

Operators of the Eiffel Tower said the 324-meter monument, which typically remains open past midnight during peak tourist season, would close at 4 p.m. local time on both Saturday and Sunday due to extreme heat forecasts. Similarly, the Louvre Museum, the world’s most visited, declared it would shut its doors at 4 p.m. from Friday through Monday. The Musée d’Orsay also opted for early closures, announcing a 5 p.m. closing time from Saturday to Wednesday, citing the intense heat as the reason.

According to Meteo-France, the national weather service, 24 departments covering approximately 22.2 million residents were placed under the highest heat alert on Saturday. Additionally, 59 other departments were under an orange heat warning, just one level below the maximum. The heatwave coincided with the start of France’s summer holiday weekend and the upcoming Bastille Day public holiday on July 14, resulting in crowded trains and highways as many residents traveled.

The elevated temperatures have worsened fire risks, leading numerous towns across the country to cancel their traditional Bastille Day firework displays. French authorities have reported that the area affected by wildfires this year has doubled compared to the same period in 2025. President Emmanuel Macron urged the public to remain vigilant, emphasizing that nine out of ten fires are caused by human activity. He cautioned that even a brief lapse in caution could jeopardize families, firefighters, and the environment.

This latest episode is France’s third heatwave since May, following a record-breaking surge in June that caused more than 2,000 excess deaths, alongside approximately 300 deaths linked to high temperatures in late May. The government has faced mounting criticism over its handling of these extreme weather events, with some accusing officials of insufficient preparation amid increasing heatwave frequency attributed by experts to human-driven climate change.

Meteo-France forecasts that the high temperatures will persist through Bastille Day, underscoring the ongoing challenges posed by the extreme heat across France.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.