France faces intense heatwave and severe hailstorms across multiple regions

Météo‑France has placed numerous departments under orange or yellow vigilance as a prolonged heatwave grips the country. Temperatures are expected to reach 42 °C in parts of Nouvelle‑Aquitaine, Occitanie and Provence‑Alpes‑Côte d’Azur, while the Hérault, Var, Loire and other districts remain on alert for extreme heat. Authorities have opened cooling centres, issued health advisories and urged protection of vulnerable people.

At the same time, a series of violent storms have swept central‑east France. Hail the size of tennis balls, wind gusts up to 120 km/h and intense downpours have battered Ardèche, Indre‑et‑Loire, Charente‑Maritime, Côte‑d’Or and other areas. Hundreds of vehicles were damaged, roofs torn off, power lines cut – leaving up to 1 900 households without electricity. Vineyards in Ardèche suffered losses estimated at 30‑80 % of the crop. Twenty‑one departments are under orange storm vigilance, with further warnings issued for additional regions.

The combined heat and storm events have prompted emergency measures, including public warnings, temporary relief facilities and heightened monitoring by prefectures and health agencies.