French towns shift public service hours as July heat intensifies

Municipal authorities in northern France are temporarily changing opening hours to cope with an upcoming heat wave. The SMICTOM waste‑management agency will operate its recycling centres in Hazebrouck, Ebblinghem, Steenbecque, Bailleul, Nieppe, Estaires, Merville and Laventie from 06:00 to 13:00 between 27 July and 1 August, and its contractor Sepur will move morning waste collection to 05:30 and afternoon collection to 18:30.

In the Centre‑Val de Loire commune of Neuvy‑le‑Roi, the town hall, technical services and other municipal facilities will also run on shortened schedules, with most services open from 08:00 to 13:00 (technical services 06:00‑13:00) and the public library operating only 09:00‑12:00 from 28 July to 1 August. The adjustments, set to last at least until 21 August, aim to protect staff health while maintaining essential services during temperatures expected to exceed 30 °C.