Paris Bans Public Drinking as Record Heatwave Overwhelms Hospitals
PARIS — June 26, 2026 — Paris police have banned alcohol consumption in public spaces and restricted takeaway alcohol sales in response to a record-breaking heatwave that has pushed hospital capacity to “saturation point” and doubled emergency callouts .
Police Prefect Patrice Faure announced the measures on Thursday, June 25, stating: “We are reaching a saturation point in hospital facilities… the number of hospitalizations keeps increasing. I must ensure that the pressure decreases” .
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The ban takes effect from Friday, June 26, at midday, prohibiting public drinking until 7:00 a.m. Saturday, and repeating the same schedule through the weekend . Takeaway alcohol sales are banned from 6:00 p.m. Friday until 7:00 a.m. Saturday, and from 6:00 p.m. Saturday until 7:00 a.m. Sunday .
The restrictions apply to streets and public spaces, but do not extend to restaurant and bar terraces with proper permits . Retail stores selling alcohol exclusively are also covered by the ban .
“Drinking alcohol with the sun beating down can have a devastating effect,” Faure told BFM TV . The Paris fire brigade reported that interventions had doubled, exceeding 2,500 operations on Thursday alone .
Temperatures in the French capital reached a June record of 40.9°C (105.6°F) on Wednesday, with the heatwave pushing hospitals to the brink . Health Minister Stephanie Rist’s office reported 25 cardiac arrests over 24 hours in Paris—more than double the usual figure—and a fourfold increase in emergency room visits for heat-related reasons .
The heatwave is affecting large parts of Western Europe, with Britain recording its hottest June day and Italy, Germany, and Austria also experiencing extreme temperatures .
SOURCES / INPUTS
- Le Monde: Paris bans public drinking as heatwave overwhelms hospitals
- Franceinfo: Alerte canicule : à Paris, la consommation d’alcool sur la voie publique interdite dès vendredi midi
- CNN Brasil: Paris proíbe consumo de álcool em público em meio à onda de calor
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