The Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and Musee d’Orsay in Paris closed earlier than usual during the weekend of July 11-12 as France endured a severe heatwave, its third since May 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4].

The Eiffel Tower shut its doors at 4 p.m. local time on July 11 and 12, well before its usual closing hours which often extend past midnight during summer [1, 2, 3, 4]. The Louvre curtailed operations even earlier, closing daily at 4 p.m. from Friday, July 10 through Monday, July 13, with last admissions at 2 p.m. over that period [1, 2, 3, 4]. Meanwhile, the Musee d’Orsay closed at 5 p.m. from July 11 through July 15 to cope with the intense heat [1, 2, 3].

As of July 11-12, About one quarter of mainland France, including the Paris region, was under the highest (red) heat alert. This alert covered 24 departments and affected approximately 22.2 million people [1, 2, 3]. An additional 59 departments were placed under an orange heat warning, the level just below red [1, 2, 3]. Wildfires have also surged, scorching twice as much land so far in 2026 compared to the same period last year [1, 2, 3]. Many communities canceled Bastille Day fireworks on July 14 due to heightened fire risk amid dry conditions [1, 2, 3].

President Emmanuel Macron urged vigilance regarding fires, noting that "9 out of 10 fires are caused by human activity". He warned, "A single second of inattention can put families at risk, endanger those who protect us and destroy our countryside" [1, 2, 3].

France recorded over 2,000 excess deaths during a record-shattering heatwave in June 2026, highlighting the deadly impact of extreme temperatures [1, 2].

The heatwave also impacted the Tour de France, which for the first time in its history shortened a stage due to heat. On July 12, the ninth stage from Malemort to Ussel was cut from 185.5 km to 155.5 km by removing a hilly loop, responding to a red heat alert in Correze [3, 5]. Belgian sprinter Tim Merlier, winner of the eighth stage on July 11, praised the decision saying, "We are now one week of racing, it was always above 35C degrees. It’s definitely a fight to have water, ice and drinks between the (support) cars. So for me, it’s a good idea to shorten the stage" [3, 5].

The early closures of Paris landmarks and adjustments to major cycling events reflect the ongoing strain the heatwave is placing on France. The Musee d’Orsay remains scheduled to close early through July 15 as the heatwave continues [1, 2, 3].