French municipalities unveil heat‑wave response plans

The city of Bordeaux announced that it will present a climate‑adaptation plan at the start of the new school year, building on lessons from this summer’s heatwave. The plan was unveiled after the mayor, Thomas Cazenave, signed the national "Plus fraîche ma ville" charter with the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME). Although no budget, timeline or specific measures were disclosed, the city highlighted shading, greening, water‑management and de‑permeabilisation of surfaces as priority areas.

In the town of Périgueux, the municipal "plan canicule" is activated each summer under the local emergency‑safeguard scheme. A dedicated vigilance cell maintains a register of people over 65 or with disabilities, contacts them daily during heat alerts, and provides a toll‑free information line. The city also offers free fans and other assistance to vulnerable residents.

Both initiatives aim to protect residents, especially the elderly and isolated, from the health risks of extreme temperatures.