- Title: FRANCE: French braced for a hot weekend
- Date: 17th August 2012
- Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (AUGUST 17, 2012) (REUTERS) EIFFEL TOWER WITH FOUNTAINS IN FOREGROUND (6 SECONDS) FOUNTAINS WITH PEOPLE BATHING EIFFEL TOWER WITH WATER FROM FOUNTAIN VARIOUS OF PEOPLE BATHING IN FOUNTAINS DUTCH TOURIST SUNBATHING IN SWIMMING COSTUME WITH EIFFEL TOWER IN BACKGROUND HANDS APPLYING SUN CREAM TO DUTCH TOURIST'S BACK (SOUNDBITE) (English) DUTCH TOURIST COBY SAYING: "I knew it, that's why I brought my bikini. (Pointing to fountain) I knew I was going in here!" (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH TOURIST M LEGRAND SAYING: "The heat's come all at once and our bodies aren't necessarily ready. We'd planned to come to Paris this weekend so we've done that. But spending the whole day outside we're looking for shade, we're looking for water, and we're looking for something to keep us refreshed. Hence the fountains." WOMAN IN BIKINI IN FOUNTAIN PEOPLE SITTING BY FOUNTAIN DIPPING FEET IN WATER EIFFEL TOWER WITH FOUNTAINS IN FOREGROUND
- Embargoed: 1st September 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: France
- City:
- Country: France
- Topics: Environment
- Reuters ID: LVA7WJ0QDCIGVSQ8OEZGW0HYON3
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: As France prepares for a heat wave, people in Paris take refuge in the city's fountains in front of the Eiffel Tower
France was preparing for a sizzling few days on Friday (August 17) with temperatures set to soar as a heat wave hits the country prompting the government to issue a health warning.
The situation was particularly acute in the southwest of the country where French weather forecaster Meteo France said it expected temperatures to rise by 5 to 7 degrees Celsius day-on-day to up to 39 degrees, with most of the country above 30 degrees.
Central and northern regions of France will in turn be affected over the weekend and early next week, with the government triggering a level-2 alert on the 1-3 heat wave warning system for 21 of mainland France's 96 "departments".
The heat in Paris on Friday sent tourists visiting the French capital's most famous landmarks scurrying to seek shelter under trees whilst others went to bathe in the city's fountains.
Dutch tourist Coby was one of the happy people sunning themselves in front of the Eiffel tower. She said she had brought her bikini specially for the event although, being pregnant, the weather was a little uncomfortable.
French tourist Mr. Legrand was paddling with his family. He said that sightseeing in the sun was problematic, particularly if you have small children.
"We'd planned to come to Paris this weekend so we've done that. But spending the whole day outside we're looking for shade, we're looking for water, and we're looking for something to keep us refreshed. Hence the fountains," she said.
The heat wave, which Meteo France said should be less severe than during the summer of 2003, when 14,800 people died in France, should last until at least Sunday. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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