France is facing a partial alcohol ban amid a historic heatwave, leaving the country’s popular music festival with no choice but to go dry.
Millions of people flock to Europe each year for Fête de la Musique, the annual French-born celebration known in English as World Music Day.
Held on the summer solstice since 1982, the festival encourages musicians of all abilities to perform in public spaces, turning entire towns and cities into open-air concert venues.
However, as temperatures climb to record-breaking levels expected to peak Monday, the French government announced a ban on public alcohol consumption in the 35 regions that are placed under its highest red heatwave alert starting at noon Sunday.
After a crisis meeting, the office of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said in a statement: “Prefects will issue decrees banning alcohol consumption in public spaces in the departments under red alert. For all events organised by the state and its agencies, instructions have been given not to offer alcohol.”
Music day event organizers were ordered to limit alcohol use to “preserve emergency services and allow medics to concentrate on taking care of the most vulnerable.”
The red alert covers much of western and central France, including Paris. Many other regions are under an orange alert.
Weather service Météo-France warned that temperatures could reach as high as 41 degrees Celsius, which is around 106 degrees Fahrenheit, in some areas.
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Additional safety measures were put into place ahead of Fête de la Musique celebrations. In Paris, police increased their patrols along the Seine River to prevent drownings.
French officials said that around 4,800 police officers, along with 2,500 firefighters, were deployed to maintain public safety during the celebrations.
The heatwave has already forced dozens of trains to be cancelled, shut down outdoor sporting events and closed 845 schools ahead of Monday. Météo-France said it is “uncertain” how long the heatwave will last.
To help Parisians and tourists stay cool during the heat, city officials are keeping parks and gardens open throughout the night in the French capital. The Eiffel Tower and other venues in Paris set up misting stations to cool crowds.
President Emmanuel Macron encouraged citizens to take care of each other amid the heatwave in a post on X, writing in French: “In the face of the heatwave, let us watch over one another. Let us collectively be attentive to our elders, to our children, and to isolated or vulnerable people.”
