Paris cultural landmarks adjust hours due to severe heatwave

Major tourist sites in Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Orsay Museum, have implemented shorter operating hours due to extreme temperatures. The Eiffel Tower is closing at 16:00 on Saturday and Sunday instead of its usual 00:45. The Louvre museum ceased operations at 16:00 until Monday, while the Orsay Museum closes at 17:00 until Wednesday. Officials stated these measures are necessary to ensure the comfort of visitors, improve staff working conditions, and maintain proper preservation of artwork. The Louvre noted that while parts of its architecture are naturally heat-resistant, the building is not fully adapted to current climate trends. One-quarter of France is currently under a red alert for heat, which has also increased the risk of wildfires during the start of the summer vacation season.