Alcohol Ban Imposed During Record Heatwave
France has prohibited alcohol consumption at certain events during the massive Fête de la Musique music festival as a punishing heatwave pushes temperatures towards record levels. The government placed 35 departments under red heatwave alerts, with temperatures expected to reach 39°C to 40°C on Sunday from the southwest through the Paris region into Burgundy, and possibly hitting 41°C in some areas. The heatwave has been ongoing for days, disrupting the country and forcing the cancellation of dozens of trains and the suspension of classes. Temperatures are forecast to exceed 43°C over the next week.
Government Instructions and Restrictions
“For all events organised by the state and its agencies, instructions have been given not to offer alcohol,” said the office of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. The government banned alcohol consumption in public places under red alerts, calling for limits to “preserve emergency and healthcare services and allow medical staff to focus on caring for the most vulnerable.” The emergency restriction applies to all public spaces within affected departments from noon on Sunday.
Cooling Measures in Paris
To help Parisians and tourists cope with the heat, authorities are keeping parks and gardens in the French capital open through the night. Bank of France Governor Emmanuel Moulin warned that over the medium term, heatwaves weigh on economic activity. Scientists say climate change is making heatwaves more frequent and intense across Europe, raising the risk of health emergencies and economic disruption during the summer months.
Fête de la Musique and Its Scale
The Fête de la Musique has been running for more than 40 years and is always held on the summer solstice. Last year, about two million people attended events in Paris. The alcohol ban is a significant measure to ensure public safety amid extreme temperatures.
Heatwave Across Europe
The punishing heatwave is sweeping across much of Europe. Heat alerts have been declared in most of Germany as temperatures approach 38°C. In Italy, temperatures are expected to reach 36-37°C, with visitors queueing under blazing sun outside the Colosseum in Rome and seeking relief in cooler underground spaces. In Spain, the football federation decided to close the fan zone set up with giant screens in Madrid's Plaza de Colon square, meaning fans will have to watch Spain's World Cup match against Saudi Arabia elsewhere.
