Major tourism attractions in France are having to adjust their opening hours due to the intense heatwave and red alert weather warnings affecting destinations across the country.
With temperatures exceeding 40°C, authorities in Paris, which regularly tops rankings of the most visited city in Europe, have had to announce early closing times for the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.
The Eiffel Tower is usually open into the early hours in summertime, but visitors hoping to experience a romantic evening or sunset at one of the best-known and loved monuments in the world were unable to do so on Tuesday, 23 June, after the tower’s management declared an exceptional early closure at 4 pm, with last entries just after midday.
#Paris | La #TourEiffel a été exceptionnellement fermée au public dès 16h en raison des fortes chaleurs. Le #PontdIéna et les jardins du #Trocadéro sont restés quasi désertés par les touristes. #France #Canicule #Climat pic.twitter.com/j0uJVlwWlc
— Le Quotidien 509 (@lequotidien509) June 23, 2026
The change to usual service continued on Wednesday, and the tower’s website published a “Weather Alert” explaining: “Due to the high temperatures forecast, the Eiffel Tower will be adjusting its operations. Wednesday, June 24, Thursday, June 25 and Friday, June 26: the Eiffel Tower will exceptionally close at 4:00 PM. Last entry at 12:15 PM. Restaurants: Last entry at 1:30 p.m.”
Due to the tower’s popularity, it is common for visitors to book entries in advance. Prepaid visitors would be reimbursed, the website promised, noting: “Visitors with tickets for a visit from noon (for the stairs) and 12:30 PM (for the elevators), please check your email inbox. Your visit will be automatically refunded.”
The website also reminded readers to take precautions in the severe heat. “Remember to protect yourself from the sun and stay hydrated,” it said, adding: “Water fountains are available in the walkways leading to the plaza.”
Europe's Deadly 45°C Heatwave: The Omega Block Trapping Extreme Heat Across the Continent 🔥
— Unit News (@Unit_News) June 24, 2026
An intense "Omega Block" — a high-pressure pattern shaped like the Greek letter Ω — is locking hot Saharan air over Western Europe, fueling record-shattering temperatures and claiming… pic.twitter.com/4BlQAFlpUM
Over at the Louvre, home to Leonardo da Vinci’s world-famous Mona Lisa, management followed suit on Tuesday, closing the museum early at 4 pm until at least Saturday, and explaining that the museum is “vulnerable and is not sufficiently adapted to climate change.” Last admissions are at 2 pm. Again, purchased tickets for individual visitors and groups of visitors with reservations for time slots after that time will be automatically refunded to the account used for payment, the Louvre website said.
🇫🇷 Chers visiteurs,
— Musée du Louvre (@MuseeLouvre) June 23, 2026
En raison de la canicule et pour vous garantir des conditions de visite agréables aux heures les plus chaudes de la journée, le musée du Louvre fermera exceptionnellement ses portes de manière anticipée à 16h au lieu de 18h du mercredi 24 juin au samedi 27… pic.twitter.com/nYB8Z1Ng93
It’s not the first time the Louvre has had to close its doors at short notice. In 2025, the museum closed suddenly on multiple occasions, as staff walked out due to the pressure of high visitor numbers, infrastructure issues, and a jewellery heist, which also prompted shutdowns.
Elsewhere in France, high-profile attractions are taking similar measures to those in the capital. Mont Saint Michel, the country’s most visited spot outside the capital, has warned visitors to postpone their visits during the hot weather alert, since the picturesque Norman island has steep, narrow medieval streets and 360 steps.
🌡️☀️ A widespread and intense heatwave has gripped western and central Europe
— Windy.com (@Windycom) June 24, 2026
The heat has been most pronounced in France, northern Spain, the Benelux countries and the United Kingdom.
According to Météo-France, Tuesday, 23 June, was the hottest day ever recorded in France. The… pic.twitter.com/aL5tJwfMHd
Even beachside destinations are alerting visitors to the dangerous conditions. The Dune du Pilat on Arcachon Bay in the Gironde has warned the heatwave “requires everyone to exercise the utmost caution,” and lists “essential actions” which include avoiding climbing the Dune during the hottest hours since “on the ridge there is no shade or water source, the sand becomes scorching hot, and the effort is greater in the heat.”
The Dune authorities also recommend regular hydration and protective clothing, and note that there is an orange alert for forest fires, so parking is prohibited along the access roads and in the forest area.
Eurostar is running a reduced service between London and Paris, and travel in general across Europe is impacted by the heat, with many national trains cancelled due to the risk to infrastructure.
