Key facts
- Paris will ban public alcohol consumption from Friday midday.
- Takeaway alcohol sales will also be prohibited from Friday evening.
- The measures are a response to a severe heatwave impacting France and Europe.
- Hospitals in Paris are reportedly near capacity due to heat-related issues.
- The ban on public drinking excludes licensed bars and restaurants.
Paris is implementing a ban on public alcohol consumption and takeaway sales starting Friday, June 25, in response to a severe heatwave gripping France and much of Europe. Paris police chief Patrice Faure announced the measures, stating that hospitals in the capital are nearing saturation point and emergency services have seen a significant increase in call-outs.
The edict prohibits the consumption of alcohol in public spaces between 12 p.m. and 7 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Additionally, takeaway alcohol sales will be banned from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. on the same days. These restrictions do not apply to licensed restaurants and bars or their permitted outdoor seating areas.
Authorities have placed a significant portion of France under heat alerts, with temperatures expected to exceed 40C. The national meteorological service forecasts the heatwave to be of exceptional severity and duration, potentially breaking monthly and all-time records. Some towns have already cancelled or moved outdoor events and implemented alcohol restrictions.