France’s current heat wave has been extreme , with many areas reaching or exceeding 40 C, and some forecasts in southwestern France topping about 42 C. National reports also say France hit its hottest day on record during this event, with the countrywide thermal marker reaching 29.4 C.

What that means

The heat has not just been “hot” in a normal summer sense; it has been severe enough to trigger red alerts, school disruptions, transport changes, and public cooling measures in Paris. Reports also say the heat was expected to stay intense for several days, with little overnight relief in many places.

Reported impacts

  • Record daytime highs over 40 C in some regions.
  • Very warm nights, including record June overnight lows in some cities.
  • Public health strain, with reports of heat-related deaths and excess mortality.
  • City measures such as cooling stations and restrictions on some outdoor activities.

Practical takeaway

If you’re asking whether this is a mild or serious heat wave, it is definitely the serious end of the scale: nationally record-setting, regionally above 40 C, and impactful enough to affect schools, transit, and health systems.

Bottom line: the current France heat wave is roughly “high 30s to low 40s C for many places,” with some spots hotter, and it has already been officially described as record-breaking.