A series of heatwaves over the past three months, compounded by drought, have broken temperature records, caused thousands of excess deaths, and fuelled massive wildfires.
"As France is experiencing a particularly severe drought, the effects of climate change continue to increase pressure on water resources," the ministry for ecological transition said, adding that "nearly 70 percent of French territory is subject to restrictions on water use".
As of August 9th, the vast majority of mainland France, including Paris, was under at least the first water warning level, with 67 of the country's 101 départements under the highest 'crisis' alert.
In areas subject to the highest alert, water is reserved for priority uses such as healthcare, civil protection, drinking water and sanitation.
Under lower alert levels, restrictions apply to activities such as watering gardens and green spaces, filling swimming pools, washing cars and irrigating crops.
In a further sign of the worsening drought across much of heatwave-pummelled Europe, two thirds of the aquifers that provide most of France's drinking water have dropped below their normal levels, the country's Bureau of Geological and Mining Research (BRGM) said on Monday.
The drawdown of groundwater reserves, common during the summer, is particularly pronounced this year "due to the shortfall in effective rainfall in July and the increase in water demand for various purposes", particularly in agriculture and tourism, the BRGM said.
July 2026 was the hottest month ever recorded in France and the third driest July in terms of precipitation, with a nationwide rainfall deficit of nearly 70 percent, according to national weather agency Météo-France.
Ecology minister Monique Barbut said on July 27th that drinking water supplies were "under strain in several areas", noting that tap water cuts were already affecting "more than 30,000 people", with drinking water supplied to residents by tanker trucks or bottled water.
The minister will convene a crisis meeting on the drought on Wednesday, which comes as France and swaths of Europe faces another heatwave.
Météo-France warned on Monday the southeast would see temperatures as high as 35C, spreading further across the country as the week progresses.
Water restrictions are imposed at a commune level and are placed at four grades; vigilance, alert, alert renforcée and crise.
You can search by postcode or commune name to find restrictions in your part of France via the government's VigiEau map HERE.
READ ALSO: LATEST: Maps of all the water restrictions in place in France
Crisis level
Here's what it means if you live in an area on 'crisis' level alert, coloured red on the map - breaking any of these rules can net you a €1,500 fine.
You can find details of the lower levels of restriction here.
Gardens - it is forbidden to water lawns, flowerbeds, golf courses or other green spaces. Vegetable gardens can be watered, but only between the hours of 8pm and 9am.
Unlike the UK, France does not impose 'hosepipe bans' - the ban is on watering the garden whether you use a hose, sprinkler, watering can or any other method.
Pools - it is forbidden to fill or drain/refill private swimming pools measuring more than one square metre. Smaller pools (like children's paddling pools) are allowed, while municipal swimming pools remain open.
Cleaning - it is forbidden to wash cars or other vehicles at home, while commercial car washes are generally closed, unless they are used for vital work such as cleaning emergency vehicles. It is forbidden to wash pavements, driveways, building facades or other hard surfaces.
Fountains - ornamental fountains or water features, whether in private or public spaces, should be switched off.
Taking water - it is forbidden to take water from the natural environment, such as rivers, streams or lakes.
In some areas this includes taking water from a private well on your property, check with your mairie if this applies. If restrictions are imposed, they usually refer to l'eau brut, which means water from a private source such as a well or a spring, rather than the mains system.
Local restrictions - in some areas, local mairies may have imposed extra local restrictions. If you are in a crise area, you may receive a communication from the mairie advising of extra restrictions, or you can also find the information on their website or the commune noticeboard.
Domestic use - domestic water use for purposes such as washing and cleaning is not restricted, although people in crise areas are advised to save water where they can in order to preserve local supplies. Drinking water is not affected, and during heatwaves people are advised to ensure that they stay hydrated in order to avoid health risks such as dehydration and heatstroke - this also applies to pets.
READ ALSO: Drought: Could tap water run out in France this summer?
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