The red heatwave alert is now in effect across the entire Île-de-France. Météo-France confirmed in its bulletin for Saturday, July 11, 2026 that eight Île-de-France departments (75, 77, 78, 91, 92, 93, 94 and 95) switch to red from noon this Saturday, with the level remaining in force on Sunday. The Centre-Val de Loire region and the Orne department (61) are treated the same, while the Nord, Pas-de-Calais and Somme move up to orange.
The numbers from Friday set the scene: highs of up to 41.4°C recorded in Saint-Côme-d'Olt (12), 41°C in Châteaumeillant (18) and in Tusson (16), with monthly records broken. In Île-de-France, the mercury rose between 35°C and 37°C, peaking at 37.1°C in Saint-Maur.
A scorching air mass has lingered over the country for days, barely moving. Météo-France warns of a severe and sustained heatwave, prompting heightened vigilance for vulnerable or exposed individuals.
The nights are what weigh on people the most. This Saturday at 5 a.m., it was still 24.4°C at Lariboisière, right in the heart of Paris’s urban heat island, compared with 20.3°C at Longchamp. In other words, the city isn’t cooling down, and the body isn’t getting its rest.
In the capital, the forecasted highs for Saturday afternoon are expected to climb to 36–38°C. Saturday night into Sunday remains sweltering, with lows of 21–24°C. Sunday afternoon brings another stretch of 36–38°C. No relief appears likely before the week begins.
Météo-France has issued a joint bulletin for the inner suburbs, and Hauts-de-Seine is tracking Paris's trajectory: 36–38°C Saturday afternoon, overnight lows of 21–24°C, then another 36–38°C on Sunday. The Longchamp station, on the department’s border, recorded 35.1°C on Friday.
The same pattern in Seine-Saint-Denis, with highs of 36 to 38°C on Saturday and Sunday and nights that won’t cool below 21 to 24°C. The department faces a slew of compounding heat factors (high population density, bare mineral surfaces, limited vegetation), making nighttime heat especially oppressive.
Val-de-Marne tops Friday’s Île-de-France heat record, with 37.1°C recorded in Saint-Maur. Forecasts remain in line with those for the inner suburbs: 36–38°C on Saturday, overnight lows of 21–24°C, and 36–38°C Sunday afternoon.
This is where the heatwave hits hardest. This Saturday afternoon, temperatures are forecast to reach 36 to 38°C, locally up to 39°C in the southern part of the department. On Sunday, the range widens again: from 35 to 39°C, with the highest readings still in the south of Seine-et-Marne.
The nights there are a touch easier to bear than in Paris, with overnight lows of 19 to 23°C. This Saturday morning, it was 18.5°C in Changis, but already 23°C in Vaux-sur-Lunain.
Essonne braces for near-record heat, with 35–38°C expected Saturday afternoon and up to 39°C possible in the department’s southern reaches. On Sunday, thermometers should again register 36–38°C, with a continued risk of hitting 39°C at the peak. Overnight, temperatures will dip only slightly, between 20 and 24°C.
The department is already paying a heavy price: the prefecture has banned fireworks and access to woods and forests until July 15, 2026, inclusive.
The Yvelines are forecast to reach 35 to 38°C on Saturday afternoon, then again 35 to 38°C on Sunday. Overnight temperatures will stay between 19 and 23°C. The Saint-Léger station recorded 37.2°C on Friday, the highest reading in the department.
The Val-d’Oise is faring a bit better, but it’s far from out of the woods. Temperatures are forecast to hit 35–37°C on Saturday and Sunday, with nighttime lows of 19–22°C. On Friday, the department recorded the region’s coolest readings, from 33.6°C in Pontoise to 35.2°C at Le Bourget.
The spell of heat is set to continue at least until mid next week. Météo-France is signaling a likely start to cooler temperatures in the country’s western regions at the beginning of the week, but Île-de-France will not feel the relief until later. We lay out the timetable in our update on the end of the heatwave in Île-de-France.
The switch to red isn't without consequence for the National Holiday. Faced with drought and the fire risk, many municipalities are canceling or postponing their fireworks displays, as shown by the list of fireworks canceled in Île-de-France. This is the case for all fireworks in the Essonne, Seine-et-Marne, the Val-d'Oise and the Yvelines. T
Under red alert, prefectures can also postpone or cancel outdoor sporting events, boost patrols around swimming areas, and extend the hours of pools and green spaces. Some venues are adjusting their hours or closing as well—check before you travel. As for everyday habits, stay hydrated, close shutters and windows during the day to keep interiors cool at night, avoid strenuous activity during the hottest hours, and check on elderly or isolated friends and relatives. The Canicule Info Service helpline (0 800 06 66 66) operates from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and if you feel unwell or have incoherent speech, call 15.
To beat the heat, we head for the pools, leisure centers, shaded parks, and air-conditioned venues listed in our guide to ideas for cooling off in Paris and the Île-de-France region.
Heat wave in Paris: the Palais de Tokyo closes until July 15
Due to the Paris heatwave and high temperatures, the Palais de Tokyo is adjusting its visitor access through July 15, 2026. Some exhibitions are closed, the entire museum will be unavailable on July 12 and 13, while the Café, the bookstore, and the Tokyo Waves program remain open to the public. [Read more]
As the Paris region endures a heatwave, the Palace of Versailles has announced an early closure. Through at least July 12, 2026, the Sun King's domain is adjusting its hours. [Read more]
As a fresh heatwave hits Île-de-France, the situation is prompting adjustments at several cultural sites, with the Musée d’Orsay cutting its hours from July 15 to 17, 2026. Visitors are urged to plan ahead for this spell of intense heat. [Read more]
Due to the heatwave and forecasted high temperatures in Paris, the Eiffel Tower will temporarily close to the public from 4 p.m. on July 11 and 12, 2026. Visitors are advised to adjust their plans and check access conditions before traveling. [Read more]
Due to the continued ozone pollution episode, the City of Paris is extending free residential parking for this Saturday, July 11, 2026. [Read more]
Activated for the first time, the Orsec "extreme heat" plan calls for protection centers for vulnerable people. [Read more]
L’Île-de-France enters a red heatwave alert on Saturday, July 11. Uber Eats and Deliveroo suspend their deliveries from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. [Read more]
As Paris endures the heatwave, the city keeps most parks, squares and gardens open 24/7, and even allows dogs at night during the orange alert in July 2026. Here’s where to find a little air. [Read more]
The end of the heatwave remains elusive in Paris and Île-de-France, where this third heat spell of 2026 is hanging on. Météo-France is poring over the models to pinpoint when temperatures will finally fall back to seasonal norms. We’re taking stock so you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. [Read more]
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Dates and Opening Time
From July 11, 2026 to July 12, 2026
Location
Paris
75 Paris
Heat wave in Paris: the Palais de Tokyo closes until July 15
Early closure of the Château de Versailles and its gardens due to the heatwave in July 2026
Heatwave: Orsay Museum to close early during peak heat
Heatwave in Paris: the Eiffel Tower closes from 4 p.m. on July 11 and 12.
Paris pollution: Free resident parking extended this Saturday, July 11
Heatwave: what does the new Orsec plan “extreme heat” entail?
Extreme heatwave in Île-de-France: Uber Eats and Deliveroo suspend deliveries on Saturday
Heatwave in Paris: parks open all night to let people breathe
Heatwave in Paris: when will the extreme heat in Île-de-France come to an end?
