France Sees Temperatures Ease After 11‑Day Heatwave

Overview

• Météo‑France said the 11‑day episode was exceptional and that red heat warnings would end in all departments by Monday as cooler air and violent storms pushed the hottest air eastward.
• Santé publique France reported roughly 1,000 excess deaths since June 24 in provisional, non‑consolidated figures that authorities warn are likely to rise as delayed heat effects emerge.
• Hospitals and emergency services saw sharply higher demand, with AP‑HP reporting emergency visits 36% above a normal day and 'plan blanc' emergency measures activated in several areas.
• The end of the heatwave was followed by violent storms that produced heavy lightning, hail and gusts above 100 km/h — including a 145 km/h gust near Blois — causing power cuts and local damage.
• Officials say the episode spotlights wider risks from repeated extreme heat driven by climate change and could carry costs for health services, funerary capacity and the wider economy in the weeks ahead.