Heatwave

Even as air temperatures fall, shortages and excessive temperatures of river water used to cool reactors are worrying nuclear operators EDF.

Dozens of fires have burned about 1,500 acres of land in the Gard département or county in the south - destroying several houses and vehicles.

New record was measured in southern town of Gallargues-le-Montueux - the previous record was 44.1C during deadly 2003 heatwave.

About 50 schools in the Essonne region, just south of Paris, were being shut, as they lack sufficient air conditioning.

Education minister says decision to postpone Le Brevet a week taken to 'guarantee security of the pupils' with temperatures set to reach 40C. 

Contingency plans by Paris city hall for a record-breaking June heatwave this week, when temperatures are expected to reach around 40° Celsius, include overnight access to the capital's parks, late-night openings for swimming pools, and cool-off rooms in public buildings. 

A heatwave unusually intense for June is due to hit France next week, when temperatures across most of the country are forecast to reach up to 40° Celsius for several days, and when emergency services are to be placed on high alert.

EDF’s nuclear plants along Rhone river use its waters to regulate temperature of their reactors, discharging warm water back into the waterway.

French weather service issues a heatwave alert in 66 counties, warning people to avoid going out during the hottest hours of the day.

Temperatures on Sunday dropped to a relatively cool sub-30°C over most areas after reaching close to 40°C in much of the country during the past week.

Stifling temperatures reaching 38° Celsius that have kept most of France sizzling over the past week, with extreme heat arriving from North Africa and Spain, are due to begin falling on Sunday.

Burgundy and Beaujolais regions notably face partial evaporation of annual production as unusually high temperatures are shrinking grapes.

Five major Paris parks remained open on Thursday night and Friday night as hot spell looks set to last into next week.

France's national weather service put 47 areas on Orange alert and government implemented health measures as hot spell looks set to last.

Temperatures are expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius as France swelters under hottest late June- early July heatwave for 60 years.