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France bans alcohol consumption at music festivals under red heatwave alert

By Thomson Reuters Jun 20, 2026 | 11:20 AM

PARIS, June 20 (Reuters) – France said on Saturday that alcohol consumption during the ​annual Fete de la ‌Musique festivals would be banned on June 21 in the departments or administrative districts that will ‌be ​placed under the ⁠red heatwave alert ⁠from noon on Sunday.

• “Prefects will issue decrees banning alcohol consumption in public spaces ​in the departments under red alert,” the Prime Minister’s ⁠office said ⁠in a statement following ​a crisis meeting called by ​PM Sebastien Lecornu.

• “For all events organised ‌by the state and its agencies, instructions have been given not to offer ⁠alcohol,” it added.

• “Very high temperatures are settling in for the long term ⁠across ‌the country,” weather ⁠agency Meteo France said ​in ‌its latest update on ​Saturday ⁠as it announced the red heatwave warning for 35 departments for Sunday, including Paris.

(Reporting by Dominique Vidalon, Editing by ​Franklin Paul)