The red heat‑wave alert remains in place in Paris and across the entire Île-de-France this Friday, June 26, 2026. After a suffocating Thursday, with highs topping out between 39 and 41°C in the city and the inner suburbs (Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis, Val-de-Marne), Météo-France extends its top alert level for the region. On the ground, we felt an almost unbreathable atmosphere from dawn, with nights that never dip below 25°C in Paris.
The red alert is the highest level of the national heatwave plan. Météo-France triggers it when the episode is exceptional in duration, intensity and geographic reach, with health impacts likely to affect the entire population, not just the vulnerable. In Île-de-France, the alert was raised to orange on June 18, then to red from June 21, and it remains in effect this Friday.
This episode will go down in the annals of Île-de-France. According to Météo-France, the Paris-Montsouris reference station recorded 39.6°C on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 24, after a night when the thermometer never dropped below 25°C in the capital. Such nocturnal minima in June are unprecedented, or almost so, in Île-de-France, and Météo-France compares the intensity of this episode to the August 2003 heatwave.
That’s the question on everyone’s lips. The red alert is indeed being extended this Friday, June 26, but temperatures are already easing in the Île-de-France region, with highs projected between 35 and 38°C, and possible thunderstorms later in the evening. The epicenter of the heatwave is shifting toward the central and eastern areas, while a slightly cooler air mass moves in along the Channel and the Atlantic coast.
The real relief is on the horizon for the weekend of June 27-28. Saturday remains hot in the Île-de-France region, typically around 32–34°C, before a further drop is expected on Sunday, to about 28–30°C, which should gradually ease the heat episode. However, a note of caution: homes that have been overheated for more than a week won’t cool down overnight, even if outside temperatures dip a few degrees. To follow the evolution hour by hour, we’re keeping an eye on the Météo-France vigilance map, updated twice daily. You can also find our full update on the end of the heatwave in Île-de-France.
The heatwave is accompanied by a new episode of ozone pollution. According to Airparif, the air quality monitoring association for Île-de-France, concentrations are well above the usual thresholds. In response, the police prefecture maintains the differentiated traffic scheme: only vehicles with a Crit'Air 0, 1, or 2 sticker are allowed to circulate within the A86 perimeter, and speeds remain reduced by 20 km/h on the affected routes. To check whether your vehicle is permitted, visit certificat-air.gouv.fr. The City of Paris has also extended free residential parking for residents this Thursday.
When it comes to getting around, the scorching heat is prompting train cancellations on several Île-de-France lines. We’re planning ahead and consulting Sortiraparis’s full briefing on the disruptions to Île-de-France transport caused by the heatwave.
At these temperatures, even young, healthy people can fall victim to heat stroke. The ARS Île-de-France and the City of Paris remind the public of the proper precautions:
Paris counts nearly 1,400 islets of freshness that are free to access: shaded parks, museums, libraries, pools, and religious buildings. You can locate the closest ones with our guide to the islets of freshness in Paris. It’s worth noting that many museums, monuments and cultural venues adapt their hours or close due to the heat, so it’s best to check before heading out. The Canicule Info Service hotline (0 800 06 66 66) remains available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and it’s wise to check in on elderly or isolated neighbors who are especially vulnerable to this prolonged heat.
To weather the heat a little more calmly, you can also cool off at one of the Parisian parks that stay open all night, or sit down at our go-to air-conditioned restaurants in Paris, or perhaps do a bit of shopping during the sales in the city’s large climate-controlled stores. For more, check out our full set of information, recommendations and tips for coping with the heat.
Dates and Opening Time
From June 25, 2026 to June 26, 2026
Location
Paris
75 Paris
