Three elderly people have died in southwestern France as an exceptional heatwave grips the country, pushing temperatures above 40°C in several regions. The victims—two men and a woman aged between 80 and 95—were found dead at their homes in the Bordeaux suburbs of Cenon, Saint-Médard-en-Jalles, and Saint-Jean-d’Illac on Sunday, when temperatures across much of France exceeded 36°C.
Sophie Brocas, the prefect of the Gironde department, confirmed the deaths to France 3 Aquitaine, stating that emergency services are “currently attributing” them to the heatwave. She described the event as comparable in intensity to the August 2003 heatwave, one of the deadliest in European history, which caused an estimated 15,000 excess deaths in France alone.
Heatwave Intensifies Across France
Météo-France, the national weather service, has warned that the heatwave will continue through the week, with Monday and Tuesday expected to bring “exceptionally high levels” of temperature across much of the country. Some areas are forecast to exceed 40°C, particularly in the southwest and along the Rhône valley. The agency has placed multiple departments on orange alert, the second-highest level, urging residents to take precautions.
The French Ministry of Health has issued a series of recommendations: drink water regularly, avoid alcohol, keep homes cool, and limit physical exertion during the hottest hours of the day. For older people, who are particularly vulnerable, the ministry advises spending several hours daily in a cool or air-conditioned space, regularly cooling the body with damp cloths or water sprays, and eating smaller, more frequent meals to maintain mineral balance.
Neighbours and families are encouraged to maintain regular contact with elderly or isolated individuals, as simple daily check-ins can be life-saving during extreme heat. Since 18 June, a heatwave information hotline (0800 06 66 66) has been activated to help people cope with the conditions, according to a ministry press release.
“Everyone must adopt the right habits and look out for the most vulnerable around them,” France’s health minister Stéphanie Rist warned last week. “I urge everyone to be vigilant, show solidarity, and use the free Heatwave Information Service hotline for information and support.”
The current heatwave echoes the conditions that led to the 2003 disaster, which prompted France to overhaul its heatwave response system, including the creation of a national alert plan and public information campaigns. However, climate scientists warn that such events are becoming more frequent and intense due to global warming. A recent study found that heat pumps saved Europe €9.7 billion in gas imports last year, with France leading adoption, highlighting the continent’s growing focus on energy efficiency and climate adaptation.
In response to the heatwave, local authorities in Bordeaux and other cities have opened cooling centres and extended the hours of public swimming pools. The city of Lyon has also activated its “Plan Canicule” (heatwave plan), which includes distributing water to homeless populations and checking on isolated seniors. Meanwhile, the Fête de la Musique, an annual nationwide music festival, saw alcohol bans in several municipalities to reduce health risks during the extreme heat.
As the heatwave continues, the French government is urging citizens to remain vigilant and look out for one another. The coming days will test the resilience of communities across the country, particularly in the southwest, where the highest temperatures are expected. For now, the priority remains protecting the most vulnerable from a threat that shows no signs of abating.
