July was France's hottest month on record

The month was also France's third driest July on record, with rainfall nearly 70 percent below average, leading to parched soil and increased risks of wildfires, Météo-France added.

READ ALSO: In numbers: Yes, summers in France really are getting hotter

Europe has been gripped by successive heatwaves and a major drought this year, which scientists have attributed to human-caused climate change.

Tinderbox conditions worsened by successive heatwaves since May in France contributed last month to the spread of the largest wildfire to hit the country since 1949.

It burnt 42,000 hectares - an area four times the size of Paris - after breaking out on July 22nd. In total since the start of the year, 92,000 hectares have burned, according to prime minister Sébastien Lecornu.

READ ALSO:

• MAPS: Where are all the wildfires and warnings in France right now?
• 'Crisis' level water restrictions imposed in 60% of French départements