Record heatwaves in June and July caused the deaths of 1,435 people in France this year, according to the country's health minister, reports the BBC.
Speaking on French radio, Agnès Buzyn said half of those who died were aged over 75.
But Ms Buzyn said, thanks to preventative measures, the rate was 10 times lower than the same period in 2003 when a deadly heatwave hit Europe.
France recorded its highest-ever temperature of 46C (114.8F) in June.
The capital, Paris, also saw a record high temperature of 42.6C (108.7F) in July.
According to the Ministry of Health, 567 people died during France's first heatwave this year, from 24 June to 7 July. A further 868 died during the second from 21 to 27 July.