PARIS: France braced for a second heatwave of the year on Wednesday, with authorities in Paris opening part of the Canal Saint-Martin to swimmers as temperatures climbed. The latest hot spell follows an exceptionally warm week in May that shattered temperature records across nearly half of the country.
According to the national weather agency, Meteo-France, the heatwave is expected to intensify gradually over the coming days, marking the second episode of exceptionally high temperatures to affect the country this year.
Forecasters said temperatures on Wednesday would reach between 36°C and 37°C in several areas before peaking at around 40°C on Sunday.
The hottest day is expected to coincide with the annual “Fête de la Musique” celebrations, which draw large crowds to streets and public spaces across the country during the summer solstice.
To help residents cope with the soaring temperatures, Paris authorities have authorised supervised swimming in a section of the Canal Saint-Martin in the eastern part of the capital from Wednesday evening. Lifeguards will monitor the area to ensure safety.
Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire said the move was prompted by scenes witnessed during the previous heatwave, when young people entered the canal to cool off despite restrictions.
He noted that deploying large numbers of police officers to prevent swimming during extreme temperatures appeared impractical, while stressing that diving from bridges remains prohibited for safety reasons.
Alexandra Cordebard, mayor of Paris’s 10th arrondissement, said the early opening of the canal — originally scheduled for July — forms part of the city’s efforts to adapt to rising temperatures and the growing effects of climate change.
Later this summer, Parisians and visitors will also be able to swim at designated locations along the Seine River. The waterway was reopened to bathers last year for the first time in a century following an extensive clean-up programme linked to the 2024 Olympic Games.
The French capital invested more than one billion euros to improve water quality and make the Seine suitable for sporting events and recreational use.
Scientists have repeatedly warned that climate change is making heatwaves in Europe more frequent and more intense. Meteo-France data shows that of the 51 nationwide heatwaves recorded since 1947, 34 have occurred since 2000, with more than half taking place since 2011.
The United Nations has also warned that global temperatures are expected to remain at or near record highs this year and over the coming years, underscoring the growing impact of climate change on weather patterns worldwide.
