Paris Shortens Eiffel Tower and Museum Hours Amid Intense Heatwave

Paris is implementing reduced hours at iconic landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and major museums such as the Louvre and Orsay, in response to a severe heatwave gripping France. Temperatures are nearing 40 degrees Celsius in many regions, prompting meteorological alerts across the country.

The Eiffel Tower will exceptionally close its doors at 4:00 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, a significant departure from its usual closing time of 12:45 a.m. The final entry for visitors is set for 12:15 p.m., and the tower's restaurants will stop admitting customers at 1:30 p.m. Those with pre-booked tickets for visits scheduled after 12:00 p.m. (stairs) or 12:30 p.m. (elevator) will be automatically refunded.

The Louvre Museum will also close early at 4:00 p.m., with the last admission at 2:00 p.m., through Monday. The museum advises visitors to pace themselves to mitigate the effects of the heat and reminds them that advance ticket reservations are mandatory. On the other side of the Seine, the Musée d'Orsay will advance its closing time to 5:00 p.m. starting Saturday until Wednesday, July 15. The last entry will be at 4:00 p.m., with exhibition halls closing half an hour later. Automatic refunds will be issued for tickets booked for entry after 3:30 p.m.

Authorities are urging visitors to take precautions against the heat, including staying hydrated and utilizing the water stations available at the monument entrances. These measures reflect the extreme weather conditions affecting France, with red and orange weather alerts active in numerous areas.