A severe heatwave has forced the Louvre and Eiffel Tower in Paris to shorten their service hours to protect tourists and staff amid soaring temperatures that have continuously broken national records.
The Louvre Museum, the world’s most visited museum, announced it would close earlier than usual, while the Eiffel Tower restricted access to its upper observation decks amid the intense heat that still blankets much of the country.
The early closures caused significant disruption for many tourists, with numerous visitors having to quickly adjust their plans during the peak travel season when crowds are at their highest.
Anna Forsgren, a Swedish tourist, revealed she had waited over 35 years for the chance to visit the Louvre and nearly missed this important opportunity. Fortunately, she entered before the museum closed, although some sections were shut due to the extreme heat.
Météo-France, the French meteorological agency, reported that France recorded its hottest day ever for the second day running. The national average heat index, calculated from 30 weather stations across the country, reached 30 degrees Celsius, breaking the previous record and marking one of several high-temperature records shattered during this heatwave.
Beyond tourism impacts, French authorities issued warnings urging the public to exercise caution when swimming in rivers, lakes, or unmonitored natural waters following reports of around 40 drowning deaths in the past week, many occurring as people sought relief from the unusually severe heat.
This historic heatwave has broadly affected daily life in France and across Europe, leading to school closures, altered transport timetables, and reduced opening hours for many important venues. Scientists warn that Europe is experiencing increasingly frequent extreme weather events due to the escalating effects of global warming each year.
. Reuters
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