Several popular landmarks in Europe are adjusting their visiting hours in response to extreme heat conditions. In Paris, the Louvre Museum announced it would close at 4 p.m. from Wednesday through Saturday, with final admissions at 2 p.m. Visitors holding later reservations will receive automatic refunds. The Eiffel Tower also reduced its hours, closing to visitors at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, with last entries at 12:15 p.m. This change affects one of the busiest paid landmarks in the world, which saw over 6.75 million visitors in 2025.
The heat wave has also impacted other locations in Europe. London's Changing of the Guard ceremony was scaled back, and Florence's Uffizi Gallery temporarily halted ticket sales due to an air-conditioning malfunction. Train services in the Paris region faced cancellations due to infrastructure risks, with about one in 10 trains being affected.
Authorities in France have closed 845 schools and allowed early dismissal for students at around 1,800 others. Reports indicate that at least 48 people in France have drowned while trying to cool off during the heat wave, and two elderly individuals in Spain have died from heat-related illnesses.
Meteorologists attribute the prolonged heat to an "Omega block" weather pattern, which traps hot air in the region. Paris has experienced record-setting temperatures exceeding 104 degrees Fahrenheit, while southern England recorded its warmest June day on record. Italy has placed 16 cities under its highest heat alert as the heat is expected to persist.