France closed 1,352 schools and educational institutions on Monday due to an exceptional heat wave [1].
The scale of the closures reflects the danger posed by temperatures exceeding 40°C [4], which have rendered teaching conditions unsafe across much of the country. This disruption affects thousands of students and staff as the government prioritizes public health over academic schedules during the extreme weather event.
Édouard Geffray, the minister of national education, said the closures during a press briefing [1]. In addition to the fully closed institutions, 4,042 other establishments have adapted their operating hours to protect students from the peak heat [1].
The weather crisis has forced meteorological authorities to escalate warnings. Météo France said that 54 departments will be under a red heat alert on Tuesday [3]. This highest level of vigilance indicates that the heat is not only extreme but potentially lethal for vulnerable populations.
Local authorities are coordinating with the ministry to manage the sudden shift in school operations. The decision to shut down more than 1,300 sites was based on the inability of many older school buildings to maintain safe internal temperatures, a recurring challenge during European summers.
"1,352 schools or educational establishments are closed today in France," Geffray said [1].
The government continues to monitor temperature spikes, particularly in the west of the country where conditions remain critical. Officials have urged citizens to follow safety protocols and stay hydrated as the red alert remains in effect for dozens of regions [3].
“1,352 schools or educational establishments are closed today in France”
The widespread closure of schools in France highlights the increasing vulnerability of national infrastructure to extreme climate events. By placing 54 departments under red alert, the government is acknowledging that standard cooling measures are insufficient for the current heat wave, necessitating a total cessation of activity in over 1,300 institutions to prevent heat-related casualties.
