According to the meteorological agency Météo France, the current episode is the strongest of the summer, and only the northwestern part of the country will escape it.

The source estimates that the heat wave will affect three quarters of the country, with temperatures ranging between 34 and 37 degrees Celsius and peaks of 40 degrees Celsius are forecasted for the weekend.

In this context, seven departments are already under orange alert, the second-highest level on French soil, a list that will grow in the coming hours and days.

The heatwave is the consequence of a mass of hot air from the Maghreb, installed for the moment in North Africa and Spain.

As has been the case for the last 20 years in France, each heat wave is a reminder of the one experienced in 2003, when about 15,000 people died from the phenomenon.

The calls of the authorities, in the face of the heat episode predicted until Wednesday, are to stay hydrated, to avoid heavy physical exercise, and to keep an eye on the most vulnerable.

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