France recorded its hottest day since measurements began in 1947, as a severe heatwave continued to affect Europe. The national weather agency confirmed the record on Wednesday, which surpassed a mark set just the previous day. Temperatures in parts of northern Spain were also forecast to reach 42C (107.6F), with red heat alerts remaining in place.
The extreme heat has impacted daily life and led to tragic incidents. In France, the Louvre Museum, the world's most visited, announced earlier closures due to the heat affecting its historic building. The museum stated its structure is "not sufficiently adapted to climate change" and that heat intensifies at the end of the day, exacerbated by visitor numbers. The Eiffel Tower also closed earlier than scheduled on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Tragically, the heatwave has been linked to several drownings. In France, a six-year-old child died after going to an unsupervised beach with his parents in Bègles, while a 17-year-old girl drowned in a prohibited area of the Marne river near Paris. Germany has also reported drownings, including a 26-year-old man who died after entering the Danube River near Regensburg. Emergency services searched for the man, who could not swim, but resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.
Germany is bracing for temperatures expected to reach 37C (98.6F) on Wednesday, with warnings issued about the dangers of swimming. Authorities in Brandenburg, Hesse, and North Rhine-Westphalia are urging residents to conserve water due to fears of drought. Barbecue bans have been implemented in cities such as Stuttgart and Freiburg.
Spain experienced intense heat in recent days, though temperatures were expected to begin falling on Wednesday. However, the Spanish state meteorological agency reported that Tuesday's average temperature of 28.17C broke the June record set in 2025. Meanwhile, 16 provincial capitals in Italy were under red heat alerts, with more additions expected.