Paris records all-time highest temperature as France continues to roast in heat wave

A sweltering heatwave is still raging in France, with the highest temperature soaring to 42.6 degrees Celsius in Paris on Thursday, the highest since records began in 1873. This is the second heatwave in France since the beginning of the summer. Since Tuesday afternoon, the French national weather service has issued orange alerts for high temperatures in 80 provinces across the country. By Wednesday afternoon, red alerts had been issued in 20 provinces in northern France, including all of the provinces in the Isle of France, where Paris is located. The record high temperatures forced people to stay away from scenic spots including the Seine River. Instead, people gathered around cooling sprays and street water tap facilities to keep hydrated. Despite the baking weather, some sports enthusiasts continued to play beach volleyball in Paris City Hall's Square.