France records hottest June in history as 72 regions placed on red heat alert

France endured its hottest June on record in 2026, with national average temperatures soaring 3.8 degrees Celsius above the 1991-2020 norm. This historic heatwave, which began on June 17 and intensified significantly from June 22 to 26, prompted authorities to issue the highest red alert for heat across 72 regions – the most since the warning system was established in 2004.

The extreme conditions saw France record its two hottest days since 1947 on June 24 and 25, with the national average temperature reaching 30 degrees Celsius for the first time over a 24-hour period. Meteo-France described the heatwave as arriving earlier, lasting longer, and possessing exceptionally high intensity.

The widespread red alerts underscore the immense pressure on French authorities to manage extreme weather events. This record-breaking June further fuels scientific concerns about the escalating frequency and intensity of heatwaves across Europe, which have repeatedly caused severe impacts on public health, agriculture, water supplies, and urban infrastructure in recent years.