Grape-pickers in wine-producing regions of southern France have been advised to start work on the harvest in the early hours of the morning to avoid sweltering in a late summer heatwave, reports FRANCE 24.
Meanwhile authorities in the French Alps have urged climbers to delay scaling Mont Blanc, Europe's highest peak, because high temperatures have created dangerous conditions.
The soaraway temperatures are affecting large parts of France and were expected to peak at 42 degrees Celsius (107.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in the wine-growing Rhone valley over the next 48 hours.
Four southern regions - the Rhone, Drome, Ardeche and Haute-Loire - were on Monday placed under "red alert", the most serious warning. This allows local authorities to call off sports and culture events and close public facilities if needed.
"The heatwave is expected to peak between Tuesday and Thursday, depending on the regions. The length and intensity of this event could require stepping up alert levels in some departments," Météo France said.