France issued a red heatwave alert in more than a third of the country for Sunday, also banning alcohol consumption during the annual Fete de la Musique celebrations that day.
The brutal heat wave, which began earlier this week, has plagued the country, forcing the cancellation of dozens of trains and the suspension of classes.
Authorities are worried about how the annual Fete de la Musique celebrations will unfold across the country on Sunday, when musicians will take over the streets with free shows and party the night away.
"Very high temperatures are settling in for a long period across the country," Meteo-France said as it announced the highest heatwave warning for 35 of France’s departments or administrative regions for Sunday — the biggest ever.
And Meteo-France is predicting that starting on Monday temperatures could reach 41C (106F) in some places and that the average reading across the country could reach its highest ever. He also said the duration of the heat wave was "insecure".
Paris is one of the regions on the red alert list, which covers a wide area that runs south-west of the capital.
According to AFP calculations, more than three-quarters of the continent’s population will suffer from the heat on Sunday, with another 45 departments on orange alert.
On Saturday, the government said alcohol consumption during annual street festivals would be banned in departments under red heatwave alert.
"Prefects will issue decrees prohibiting the consumption of alcohol in public spaces in departments under red alert," the government said in a statement after a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu.
"For all events organized by the state and its agencies, instructions have been given not to serve alcohol," said his office.
The government has called for restrictions on alcohol consumption "preserve emergency and health care services and allow medical staff to focus on caring for the most vulnerable".
To help Parisians and tourists cope with the heat, authorities are keeping parks and gardens in the French capital open all night.
