Much of France baked under record seasonal temperatures in what was the hottest Ascension weekend since 1900, according to one weather site. And the heat is set to stay, albeit along with some thunder storms.
A severe weather warning has been issued parts of western and central France this week, due to a heatwave that is expected to bring temperatures of up to 38C.
Did you find this year's French heatwave a bit excessive? You weren't imagining it. Summer 2015 will go down in the history books as the second hottest on record – and one of the deadliest.
After a few days of relief following this month's sweltering heatwave, temperatures were once again forecast to soar on Wednesday as the summer sun looked set to bake most of France.
Authorities in Paris are to open parks at night to allow the the capital's residents to cool off, while one MP has proposed a new law allowing workers to go home when the mercury hits 35C.
With 51 départements now on alert for the heatwave - almost half of the country - the extreme heat is promising to disrupt the start of the French summer holiday season, particularly on the railways.
VIDEO: Extreme weather caused a number of incidents across France at the weekend that saw thousands left without power, houses hit by lightning and a mini tornado hit Dieppe (see video). Three departments remained on storm alert on Monday morning.
Temperatures in sizzling France are set to peak on Monday as the mercury reaches as high as 37°C, making it the hottest day of the recent heatwave. Authorities are asking people to take precautions against the heat but insist they are prepared.
The recent heatwave which has seen record highs in several areas of France is starting to ease off, according to the country's meteorological office, while warnings remained in place in some 20 departments.
A forest fire that has devastated 550 hectares (1350 acres) of coastal pine forest close to one of France's best surfing beaches continued to rage Friday.
Temperatures in some parts of France will reach 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) this weekend, forecasters predicted on Thursday, triggering an alert system set up after 15,000 people died in a heatwave in 2003.
<p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">France experienced its hottest day of the year yesterday with temperatures above 30˚C in most parts of the country.</span></p>
