Heatwave in France: Eiffel Tower and Louvre close early, Tour stage shortened

Impact on tourism and culture

The heatwave has immediate consequences for tourism and public life in Paris. Instead of at midnight, the Eiffel Tower will close at 4:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday due to the weather, the operator announced on its website. The Louvre Museum, whose numerous exhibits include the Mona Lisa, is also open only until 4:00 PM through Monday; the Musée d'Orsay is closing early at 5:00 PM through Wednesday. Popular tourist attractions in Paris shortened their opening hours.

Parisian museums had also responded during earlier heatwaves this year. The first heatwave of this year had already hit France at the end of May, followed by a second at the end of June. Back then too, the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre had already closed in the afternoon as a precaution. Authorities see a growing risk in the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.

Due to the severe drought and increased fire danger, fireworks for the national holiday were also canceled in numerous cities. The heatwave is heightening concerns in France about the spread of wildfires. Squares and boulevards in the affected regions were described as "incandescenti".

Restrictions in rail traffic

Travel is also affected. Due to the summer holidays and the French national holiday on Tuesday, very many people are currently traveling within the country. Over the weekend, 3,700 TGV trains were scheduled to run. During the hottest hours of the day, however, every third intercity connection will be canceled. The French railway company SNCF assured that, despite the heat, there would be a "normal" high-speed rail service.

Tour de France shortens stage

For the first time in the history of the Tour de France, a stage was shortened on Sunday due to the heat. The organizers of the Tour de France announced that the ninth stage on Sunday, originally 185.5 kilometers long, would be shortened by 30 kilometers due to the high temperatures. The winner of Saturday's stage, Belgium's Tim Merlier, said it was "clearly a battle to get water, ice, and drinks between the (support) cars." He pointed out that "it had been over 35 degrees hot every day since the start of the Tour."

The measures in France are exemplary of how to deal with increasing heatwaves in Western Europe. Authorities, transport operators, and cultural institutions are coordinating their steps to protect the population and travelers. Météo-France announced that warnings would be adjusted depending on how temperatures develop.