A severe heatwave sweeping across France has forced some of Paris’ most iconic tourist attractions, including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum, to shorten their operating hours as temperatures continue to soar.
The operator of the Eiffel Tower announced that the landmark would close early at 4 pm, instead of its usual midnight schedule during the peak summer season. Authorities also indicated that the monument could remain shut early on subsequent days if extreme temperatures persist.
The Louvre Museum, the world’s most visited museum, also announced that it would close two hours earlier from Wednesday to Saturday due to difficult visiting and working conditions caused by the heat.
Museum officials said the historic building is particularly vulnerable to climate change, with rising temperatures and large visitor numbers worsening indoor conditions. The Louvre has already been grappling with maintenance challenges and ageing infrastructure.
The ongoing heatwave has disrupted daily life across France, leading to school closures, train cancellations and warnings at several tourist sites. Mont Saint-Michel, one of the country’s most popular destinations outside Paris, has also advised visitors to postpone their trips during the red weather alert.
The extreme weather highlights the growing impact of climate change on tourism and heritage sites, with authorities increasingly being forced to adapt operations to protect visitors, employees and historic landmarks.
