France bans alcohol at music festival events under red headwave alert

Annual street parties attended by millions ordered to help “preserve” healthcare services in 40C (104F) heat.

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Annual Fête de la Musique celebrations draw millions to the streets across France. But with a third of the country covered by the most serious heatwave warnings, the government has banned alcohol consumption in public places under the red alerts.

"For all events organised by the state and its agencies, instructions have been given not to offer alcohol," the office of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said.

Temperatures of 39-40C (102-104F) are expected from the southwest through the Paris region into Burgundy on Sunday, with some areas possibly reaching 41C.

Temperatures have been forecast to peak on Monday, and authorities have warned they could match historic highs.