PARIS — French authorities imposed temporary alcohol bans at music festivals and public celebrations in areas under the country’s highest heatwave alert as extreme temperatures swept across much of France over the weekend, prompting broader emergency measures to protect public health.
The restrictions were announced ahead of the annual Fête de la Musique, a nationwide music festival held each year on June 21. The French government said alcohol consumption would be prohibited in public spaces within departments placed under red heatwave alerts, while state-organized events were instructed not to serve alcoholic beverages. Authorities said the measures were intended to reduce health risks associated with high temperatures and large outdoor gatherings.
“Prefects will issue decrees banning alcohol consumption in public spaces in the departments under red alert,” the Prime Minister’s office said in a statement following a crisis meeting convened by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. The government added that “for all events organised by the state and its agencies, instructions have been given not to offer alcohol.”
France’s national weather agency, Météo-France, warned that exceptionally high temperatures were expected to persist across large parts of the country. The agency placed 35 departments, including Paris, under red heatwave warnings, its highest alert level, and forecast temperatures reaching around 40 degrees Celsius or higher in some areas.
The Fête de la Musique, which draws large crowds to streets, parks and public squares across France, proceeded despite the extreme weather. Authorities increased access to drinking water, expanded cooling measures and mobilized emergency services in several cities. In Paris, officials kept some parks open overnight and deployed additional personnel to assist vulnerable residents and festivalgoers.
Local authorities also introduced additional restrictions in some areas. Paris police prohibited alcohol consumption along portions of the Seine River and Canal Saint-Martin and limited alcohol sales in certain public spaces, citing concerns over dehydration and heat-related emergencies.
The heatwave affected daily life beyond festival activities. Hundreds of schools were ordered to close or modify schedules, while transportation operators and health officials issued warnings to travelers and vulnerable populations. Emergency services reported heightened preparedness as temperatures remained well above seasonal averages.
As of Sunday evening, authorities said the restrictions would remain in place in departments under red alert while meteorologists continued monitoring conditions. Government officials said further measures could be implemented if the heatwave persisted, though details remained unclear.
