France Proceeds with Fete de la Musique Amid Record Heatwave
France on Sunday pressed ahead with its annual street music festival, the Fete de la Musique, despite a ferocious heatwave that placed a record 35 departments—roughly a third of the country—under the highest red alert. The government imposed a ban on alcohol consumption during the festivities in affected areas to mitigate health risks and maintain public order.
Every year on June 21, musicians take over France, filling bars, street corners, and rooftops as revellers celebrate midsummer late into the night. However, this year's event coincides with extreme temperatures, with Meteo-France warning that thermometers could reach as high as 41°C in some locations. According to AFP estimates, around 53 million people across France will be affected by the heat on Sunday, with an additional 45 departments placed under orange alert.
Record Number of Red Alert Departments
The number of departments on red alert has reached a record high, surpassing the previous peak of 20 recorded on July 24-25, 2019. While some cities have canceled street events, celebrations in others—including Paris, Lyon, and Strasbourg—will go ahead. To minimize health risks and prevent potential disturbances, the government announced a ban on alcohol consumption during the festivities in departments under red alert. Health Minister Stephanie Rist told French daily Le Parisien, “Alcohol and high temperatures really do not mix well.”
Massive Security Deployment in Paris
Last year, around two million people attended the festival in Paris alone, many traveling from Britain. To ensure public safety this year, authorities will deploy 4,800 police officers and gendarmes, along with 2,500 firefighters, in and around the capital. Gatherings along the lower banks of the Seine will be prohibited to reduce the risk of people falling into the water. The Atlantic port city of Nantes is offering free access to swimming pools and museums until the end of the red alert period.
