France has banned drinking alcohol in public across all departments under a red heatwave alert, disrupting Fête de la Musique as temperatures hit 39C-41C

11:51, 21 Jun 2026

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A woman drinks an alcohol-free beer during the annual "Fete de la Musique" in Paris, 2018(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Festivalgoers are being urged to lay off the booze as temperatures are set to hit a whopping 41C. France has moved to ban drinking alcohol in public in areas hit by a top-level heatwave alert.

It comes as revellers are set to enjoy the annual Fête de la Musique celebration, a huge nationwide street party with free concerts organised around the country.

National forecasters at Météo‑France issued the highest “red” alert as the mercury surged to between 39C and 41C (102F–106F). The warning covers a record 35 of France’s 96 departments - including the whole Paris region - affecting around 26 million people.

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Spectators listen to music during the 35th edition of the 'Fete de la Musique' in Geneva, Switzerland(Image: MARTIAL TREZZINI/EPA/Shutterstock)

The emergency clampdown lands right on top of Fête de la Musique, the 40-year-old midsummer tradition which sees millions pack into streets, parks and public squares for free live music. According to AFP estimates, around 53 million people in France will be affected by the heat today (June 21).

This is to "be able to organise and manage [Fête de la Musique] rather than be overwhelmed," explained the capital's mayor, Emmanuel Grégoire. A total of 4,800 police officers and gendarmes, alongside 2,500 firefighters, will reportedly be deployed across Paris and the surrounding area, Paris police headquarters said.

Moreover, processions will be banned on the lower riverbanks “to avoid any risk of falling into the Seine”. Following an emergency crisis meeting called by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, regional prefects have been ordered to issue decrees banning alcohol consumption in outdoor public areas across all red-alert departments.

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Man dives into the Canal Saint-Martin, from an unapproved spot during heatwave in Paris on June 20, 2026(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

"Alcohol and high temperatures really do not mix well," Health Minister Stéphanie Rist told French daily Le Parisien. The restrictions also bite at official events, with a blanket order forbidding the sale or offering of alcohol at anything organised by the state or its agencies.

And while cities including Paris, Lyon and Strasbourg are still pressing ahead with celebrations, bars and restaurants face tighter rules on selling takeaway “to-go” alcoholic drinks to crowds outside. Ministers say the measures are aimed at cutting the risk of heat stroke and dehydration - and at protecting already-stretched hospitals and emergency services during the intense hot spell.

This comes as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued updated heat-health alerts across parts of England as temperatures rise yesterday (June 20) - with officials warning the hot spell could pose serious risks for vulnerable people.

An amber heat-health alert is now consequently in place for London, the South East, the South West and the East of England, running until 8pm on Tuesday (June 23), the Daily Star previously reported.

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