The Eiffel Tower summit, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world, was shut to visitors on the days of Tuesday, July 1, and Wednesday, July 2, due to the searing heatwave that swept through Europe in late June through the beginning of July.
Staff apologized for the inconvenience and encouraged tourists to stay hydrated and protect themselves from the sun. Visitors can still reach the first and second floors of the Eiffel Tower; however, visits to the summit have been postponed until Thursday, July 3.
While the extreme heat in France began to subside on July 2, the impact of the European heatwave is still felt. Indeed, countries like France, Spain, and Portugal were hit the hardest. For example, in the town of El Granado, Spain, a new national record for the month was set on June 28 when temperatures reached 46°C (115°F), according to Spain’s national weather agency. The agency also noted that it may have been the hottest June on record.
According to the World Meteorological Organization, climate change is driving these rising temperatures, with serious consequences. Wildfires destroy homes and take lives, extreme heat threatens the food supply, and the elderly are especially at risk. In Europe and Central Asia, half of all children face frequent heat waves—twice the global average of one in four children.
To find out more about the biggest heat waves ever, read up on the hottest days in history in this gallery.