Emergency swimming and alcohol bans: what cities could learn from Paris's ‘heatwave mode’ | Helen Massy-Beresford

Paris implemented an alcohol ban in public spaces, excluding cafe terraces, during the Fête de la musique to manage extreme heat, a measure available under its "vigilance rouge canicule" or red heatwave alert system. This system, adopted after a devastating 2003 heatwave that claimed 15,000 lives in France, categorizes heatwave severity into four alert levels. The "vigilance rouge canicule" level allows authorities to enact specific safety protocols, such as restricting alcohol consumption in public areas, to protect citizens during periods of intense heat. The Fête de la musique, a summer solstice celebration of music, was underway in Parc des Buttes-Chaumont as the heatwave measures were enforced. The article highlights Paris's proactive approach to public health during extreme weather events, drawing lessons from past crises to inform current emergency responses. The journalist, Helen Massy-Beresford, an editor living in Paris, notes these measures as examples of how cities can adapt to rising temperatures.