France cancels train services, adjusts schools as heatwave pushes temperatures toward 40°C

PARIS, France — PARIS — France cancelled dozens of train services and adjusted school schedules on Thursday as a new heatwave swept across the country, with authorities warning temperatures could reach 40°C in the coming days. The national weather agency Météo-France said the heat is expected to peak on Sunday or Monday. An orange alert, the second-highest level in France's weather warning system, was issued for about a quarter of the country, including Paris, with officials urging residents to stay cautious and drink water. Météo-France said earlier this month that May temperatures had hit record levels across half of France, making the current episode the second major heatwave to hit the country in 2026. French national railway operator SNCF said it cancelled 71 long-distance train services between Thursday and Monday to prevent air-conditioning failures caused by the extreme heat. In Paris, around ten schools announced schedule changes for Thursday and Friday, while Tours Mayor Emmanuel Denis said he would not hesitate to close the city's 58 schools if temperatures reached 40°C. Roughly 2,200 schools were closed nationwide during last June's heatwave.