France has experienced the third longest heat wave in history; thousands of additional deaths linked to extreme temperatures

The heat wave that recently hit France and lasted 16 consecutive days was the third longest episode of its kind recorded in the country since meteorological measurements began, according to data published by Meteo-France and cited by AFP. At the same time, French health authorities have reported a significant excess mortality during periods of extreme temperatures this summer.

• Third heatwave episode of 2026

The third heatwave of 2026 took place between July 4 and 19 and lasted 16 days, equaling the heatwave episodes of August 2003, the summer of 2018 and the summer of 2025. The absolute record remains that of July 1983, which lasted 23 days, followed by the heatwave of July 2006, with 21 consecutive days of extreme temperatures.

At the peak of the most recent episode, the national thermal indicator (ITN), calculated based on temperatures recorded in the 30 reference meteorological stations, reached 28.1 degrees Celsius, more than seven degrees above the usual average for the period.

• June 2026 heatwave, the most intense in history

Although it was particularly long, the July heatwave was less intense than the one produced between June 17 and 30, 2026, considered the strongest heatwave episode ever recorded in France. During that period, the national thermal indicator reached 30 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous record, set in July 2019, of 29.4 degrees. In terms of severity, calculated by combining duration and intensity, the historical heatwave of August 2003 remains the worst, followed by the episode of June 2026, according to data compiled by AFP.

• Climate change multiplies heatwaves

Meteo-France data shows that more than half of the 53 heatwaves recorded in France since 1947 occurred after 2010, a phenomenon associated with climate change. French health authorities announced that the extreme heat wave from June 17 to July 2 was accompanied by 5,764 additional deaths, almost half of which were recorded in just three days, between June 25 and 27. According to Sante publique France, this increase in mortality, observed in all age groups over 15, with an increase after the age of 45, represents an unprecedented phenomenon.

• The elderly, the most affected, but the impact also extended to active adults

Of the additional deaths reported, approximately 3,719 were recorded among people over 75, a category considered the most vulnerable.

At the same time, the authorities also noted a significant impact in the 45-64 age segment, where 979 additional deaths were reported, which represents a 55% increase compared to the level anticipated for this period in the absence of exceptional events. The heatwave affected almost the entire population of France, with 98.5% of the population exposed to extreme temperatures in 92 departments, at a time when school and work activities were operating normally.

• Major health impact

The data, which will be consolidated in the autumn, confirm the significant effects of extreme temperatures on public health. In addition to the 5,764 additional deaths associated with the June heatwave, there were approximately 300 excess deaths recorded during the first heatwave of the year, which occurred between 24 and 28 May. For comparison, the final tally for the summer of 2025 indicated approximately 5,700 deaths attributed to heatwave exposure over the entire summer season.