Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire banned public alcohol consumption in the city until Sunday as a heat wave affected France and other European nations. The Heat Wave and Health Alert System issued its highest possible warning for seven days in Paris.

The heat wave in late June affected France, Germany, the U.K., Belgium, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands. As of Friday, dozens of people had died due to the heat wave. At least 50 people drowned while seeking relief in water, and four children died after being left in hot cars.

The Louvre and the Eiffel Tower closed early due to the heat wave, and hundreds of schools in Paris also closed. Temperatures displayed on an L.E.D. sign outside a French pharmacy reached 45 degrees Celsius at one point. A separate heat wave hit France in May, with temperatures peaking at 36 degrees Celsius.

Grégoire, a member of the Socialist Party, said, "We must not believe we are invulnerable." He is 48 years old and previously served as deputy mayor under Anne Hidalgo. In 2003, nearly 15,000 people died in France during a heat wave.

Context

The ban on public alcohol consumption was implemented during a severe heat wave that has led to multiple deaths across several European countries. This action follows closures of public institutions and schools in Paris due to the high temperatures. The event occurs after a previous heat wave in May, and the mayor's statement reflects a concern for public safety in response to the conditions. Nearly 15,000 people died in France during the 2003 heat wave, providing historical context for the current measures.