Temperatures were expected to reach 35 degrees or more on Monday, and climb even further until the peak on Thursday and Friday.

The north of the country – including Paris - will be worst affected.

Temporary fountains have been put in place and public pools will stay open later as part of an extreme heat plan.

Water will also be distributed and a care plan will be put in effect for vulnerable people including the elderly, as high humidity will make 40C feel like 47C in the capital.

France, Germany, Switzerland and Belgium could all see national records for June broken in the coming days – but France is particularly aware of the dangers posed by the hot weather.

Water will also be distributed and a care plan will be put in effect for vulnerable people including the elderly, as high humidity will make 40C feel like 47C in the capital.

France, Germany, Switzerland and Belgium could all see national records for June broken in the coming days – but France is particularly aware of the dangers posed by the hot weather.

France's national forecaster, Météo-France, is warning that temperatures may not fall until the following weekend – even at night, when lowest temperatures are expected to remain above 20C in many places.

Large cities are particularly vulnerable, the weather service warned.

Source: BBC news