France's Fete de la Musique Faces Heatwave Challenges: Safety Measures in Place for Annual Street Music Festival
France is gearing up to host its annual street music festival amidst scorching temperatures, with a third of the country under red alert and a ban on alcohol consumption in place. The Fete de la Musique, celebrated every June 21, sees musicians taking over various venues across the country, but this year's festivities coincide with a severe heatwave. With temperatures expected to soar as high as 41C in some areas, some cities have cancelled street events, while others like Paris, Lyon, and Strasbourg are proceeding with caution. To ensure public safety, authorities are deploying thousands of police officers, gendarmes, and firefighters, with restrictions in place to prevent accidents and health risks. The heatwave is affecting millions of people in France, with a record number of departments under red alert, surpassing previous levels. In response to the extreme weather conditions, the city of Nantes is offering free access to swimming pools and museums until the red alert period ends.