Eiffel Tower Closes at 4pm as France Endures Third Heatwave Since May
Paris Landmarks Shut Early as France Swelters Under Third Heatwave
France is under its third heatwave since May, prompting early closures of the Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Musee d’Orsay as a quarter of the country remains on maximum heat alert, while the United States has issued multiple flash flood and flood warnings across Tennessee, Missouri and Indiana amid heavy thunderstorms. [1] The Eiffel Tower will close at 4pm on Saturday and Sunday due to forecast high temperatures, instead of its usual midnight closing time during peak tourist season. [1] The Louvre will close at 4pm from Friday through Monday and the Musee d’Orsay at 5pm from Saturday to Wednesday because of extreme heat. [1] Twenty-four French departments home to 22.2 million people are under the highest heat alert, with another 59 departments under an orange warning; high temperatures are forecast to continue until Bastille Day on 14 July. [1]
Holiday Weekend Travel and Cancelled Bastille Day Fireworks
People flooded trains and highways at the start of a holiday weekend ahead of France’s national public holiday on July 14. [1] Across France, many towns have called off their firework displays for Bastille Day due to increased fires and dry conditions. [1] French President Emmanuel Macron called for vigilance on Saturday, warning nine out of 10 fires are due to human activity. [1] “A single second of inattention can put families at risk, endanger those who protect us and destroy our countryside,” he wrote on X. [1]
Rising Wildfires and Excess Deaths Linked to Repeated Heatwaves
Wildfires have burned twice as much land in France this year compared with the same period in 2025; many towns cancelled Bastille Day fireworks displays due to fire risk and dry conditions. [1] France recorded more than 2,000 excess deaths in the June heatwave and 300 in late May; scientists link the increasing frequency of such events to man-made climate change. [1] The government has faced a barrage of criticism, accused of being “unprepared” for the extreme weather, the increasing frequency of which scientists have linked to man-made climate change. [1]
Flash Flooding Strikes East Tennessee After Heavy Overnight Rain
The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning for east central Cocke County, Tennessee, until 1pm EDT after 3–5 inches of rain fell with additional rain possible at 1–2 inches per hour; flash flooding is already occurring. [2] At 9:53 AM EDT, local law enforcement reported thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. [2] Between 3 and 5 inches of rain have fallen, with an expected rainfall rate of 1 to 2 inches in 1 hour and additional rainfall amounts up to 1 inch possible in the warned area. [2] Flash flooding is already occurring. [2]
Ongoing Flooding Closes Roads Across Missouri and Indiana
Flood Warnings remain in effect for parts of Iron, Crawford and Washington counties in Missouri and for parts of Boone, Hendricks and Montgomery counties in Indiana due to excessive rainfall from thunderstorms, with numerous roads closed and low-water crossings inundated. [3] [4] [5] Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues in south central Washington County in east central Missouri and northeastern Iron County in southeastern Missouri until 11:00 AM CDT. [3] Numerous roads remain closed due to flooding, and low-water crossings are inundated with water and may not be passable. [3] Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues in southeastern Crawford County in east central Missouri, southwestern Washington County in east central Missouri and northwestern Iron County in southeastern Missouri until 10:45 AM CDT. [5] Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected in southwestern Boone County in central Indiana, northwestern Hendricks County in central Indiana and southern Montgomery County in west central Indiana until 12:30 PM EDT. [4] At 9:26 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms, with flooding ongoing or expected. [4]
Forecast and Official Guidance
High temperatures are expected to continue until Bastille Day, according to Meteo-France. [1] The National Weather Service in Morristown has issued a Flash Flood Warning for east central Cocke County in east Tennessee until 1:00 PM EDT. [2] Flood Warnings remain active across multiple counties in Missouri and Indiana due to excessive rainfall from thunderstorms. [3] [4] [5]
What to watch next: High temperatures in France are expected to continue until Bastille Day on 14 July, while active flash flood and flood warnings remain in effect across east central Tennessee, east central Missouri and central Indiana.
