As a severe heatwave settles over much of France, with forecasts of up to 40°C in the coming days, key sectors from agriculture to transport are scrambling to adapt. In the vineyards of Bordeaux, seasonal workers now begin their day before sunrise to escape the most punishing midday temperatures.
At Château Latorse in La Sauve, in the Gironde department, director Daniel Latorse has shifted the workday to start at 6:30 a.m. and finish by 2:30 p.m. “Instead of working from 8 am to midday and then 2 pm to 6 pm, we now start at 6:30 in the morning and finish by 2:30 pm at the latest,” he explains. Workers are also reminded to wear protective clothing, caps, and sunscreen to guard against heatstroke.
Seventeen-year-old seasonal worker Hugo welcomes the change: “Work is impossible at those times,” he says of the afternoon heat, noting that the adjusted schedule allows him to rest during the hottest hours.
Disruption Across French Society
The heatwave is not confined to the fields. Schools in several regions have adjusted timetables or suspended activities as classrooms become barely bearable. On construction sites, work patterns are being reorganised to avoid the hottest part of the day.
Transport is also under strain. National railway operator SNCF has announced disruptions on at least 71 routes due to the risk of rail expansion from heat and potential air-conditioning failures. This follows a pattern seen in previous heatwaves, where tourist plans across the country have been similarly affected.
In the energy sector, nuclear power plants are adjusting output because of constraints linked to high temperatures and the warming of rivers used for cooling. Agriculture faces mounting pressure on crops and irrigation as soils dry out rapidly and deeply, while the risk of wildfires rises sharply in several drought-stricken regions.
Hospitals are reporting an increase in admissions related to heat effects, particularly among children and the elderly. This echoes broader concerns about the 5,400 annual deaths attributed to heatwaves in France and the deepening social inequalities they expose.
Climatologists note that these heat episodes are arriving earlier in the year and are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. The current event is part of a wider pattern across Europe, with tropical nights posing hidden health risks in many regions.
