Tourists in Paris said they were surprised to experience hot weather in the French capital on Tuesday (May 26), a day after the national weather service recorded the hottest May day in French history.

Near the Eiffel Tower, people sat near water fountains and picnicked on the grass under umbrellas to shade themselves from the sweltering sun.

"It's the first time I visit, and they always tell me that it's cold, that it's cloudy, rainy," Argentinian tourist Sofia Vanicki said. "I'm very surprised.”

Seven people have died in France, directly or indirectly due to the heat wave, French Junior Energy Minister Maud Bregeon said on Tuesday. The government has ordered local authorities to take measures to protect people during sporting events, she said.

Most of Brittany has been under an orange level warning by weather service Meteo France, which expects temperatures to reach up to 36 degrees Celsius (96.8° Fahrenheit) on Tuesday afternoon.

The heat wave is expected to continue on Wednesday and Thursday, Meteo France said on its website.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

Paris swelters as heatwave hits western Europe

VIDEO SHOWS: PEOPLE NEAR EIFFEL TOWER DURING HEATWAVE IN PARIS / SOUNDBITES OF TOURISTS

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: PARIS, FRANCE (MAY 26, 2026) (REUTERS – Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF TOURISTS IN FRONT OF EIFFEL TOWER

2. WOMAN WALKING WITH UMBRELLA

3. PEOPLE SITTING IN SHADE

4. SUN

5. PEOPLE SITTING ON GRASS NEAR FOUNTAIN

6. WOMAN WALKING WITH UMBRELLA

7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) TOURIST FROM OMAN, HARPEET KAUR, SAYING:

“It's OK because we live in Oman, so the weather is pretty similar. In fact it's hotter there, so the weather is OK for us.”

8. TOURISTS TAKING PICTURES BY WATER FOUNTAIN

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) TOURIST FROM ARGENTINA, SOFIA VANICKI, SAYING:

“Well, I try to drink a lot of water, always stay hydrated, try to go to places with shade. I didn't expect it. It's the first time I visit, and they always tell me that it's cold, that it's cloudy, rainy, and I had some incredible days, really. But well, I like the heat, I like to walk in the sun, so I'm happy. I'm very surprised.”

10. WATER FOUNTAIN WITH EIFFEL TOWER IN BACKGROUND

11. WATER FOUNTAIN

12. TOURISTS WITH UMBRELLAS

13. (SOUNDBITE) (English) TOURIST FROM JAPAN, SHINAKO FUJII, SAYING:

“So actually, I'm from Japan and this is like same likely as Japan - very hot and warm. So it's about the same temperature as Japan for now. But I didn't expect that it is very warm in Paris. So I'm very surprised.”

14. SUN BEHIND BRANCHES

15. VARIOUS OF TOURISTS RESTING ON SHADED LAWN WITH UMBRELLAS