Eiffel Tower and Paris museums close amid extreme heat emergency

Paris is grappling with an extreme heatwave, forcing the temporary closure of iconic landmarks and cultural institutions. The operator of the Eiffel Tower announced that the monument will "exceptionally close" early at 4 p.m. local time this weekend, a significant departure from its usual hours that extend past midnight during the summer.

The heatwave has also impacted major museums. The Louvre will close its doors at 4 p.m. and remain shut until Monday, while the Musée d'Orsay will close at 5 p.m. and stay closed until Wednesday. These measures are in response to the soaring temperatures, with forecasts predicting a high of 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) in Paris on Saturday.

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The Eiffel Tower will exceptionally close this weekend.

France is currently under its third heatwave of the season, with 24 departments, home to over 22 million people, placed under the highest alert level by national meteorological service Météo-France. Paris and its surrounding region are among those affected. An additional 59 departments are under orange alert as many people travel for a long holiday weekend ahead of the July 14th national holiday.

The extreme heat has also led to widespread cancellations of traditional Bastille Day fireworks displays across the country due to increased fire risks and drought conditions. This year has seen over 25,000 hectares burn since January, nearly double the amount recorded in the same period in 2025. President Emmanuel Macron has urged vigilance, noting that human activity causes nine out of ten wildfires. The heatwave's severity has drawn criticism for the government's perceived lack of preparedness, with scientists attributing the increasing frequency of such events to human-caused climate change.

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One second of distraction can endanger families, endanger those who protect us and destroy our countryside.