France has enacted a nationwide ban on alcohol sales in nearly half its departments as a brutal heatwave, the worst in decades, pushes temperatures above 40°C. The red alert, issued by Météo-France, covers 45 of the country’s 96 departments, stretching from the Loire Valley to the Mediterranean coast. Local authorities fear dehydration and heatstroke, with alcohol consumption exacerbating risks.
The ban, effective immediately, prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages in supermarkets, bars, and restaurants during peak heat hours. Offenders face fines up to €135. This emergency measure, unprecedented in modern French history, underscores the escalating climate crisis and its direct impact on public health.
Officials urge citizens to stay hydrated with water, avoid strenuous activity, and check on vulnerable neighbours. The heatwave is expected to peak this weekend, with temperatures potentially reaching 44°C in some regions. France joins other European nations like Spain and Italy in implementing similar restrictions as the continent grapples with a series of extreme weather events linked to climate change.