France heatwave forces Parisians to camp in parks for relief

A severe heatwave sweeping France has driven dozens of Parisians to seek cooler shelter in public parks. At Paris’ Buttes‑Chaumont, families and individuals spread mattresses on the grass and slept outdoors overnight to escape apartments without air‑conditioning. The park became crowded as residents chose it over sweltering homes.

Meanwhile, shoppers in Chambray‑lès‑Tours surged into stores, fighting to purchase fans and air‑conditioners as supplies vanished within minutes. The extreme temperatures, affecting more than half of France, have already been linked to dozens of deaths and have prompted authorities to impose temporary restrictions on alcohol sales in Paris.