The extra precautions follow a Europe-wide heatwave in 2003 that killed 20,000 people – 15,000 of them French.
France is taking extra precautions ahead of a “potentially dangerous” heatwave that is set to hit much of Europe this week.
National weather agency Meteo-France has placed 53 counties on an orange warning – the second-highest alert – as temperatures are expected to reach up to 40C (104F) in some areas.
Exams have been postponed from Thursday and Friday, when the heat is expected to peak, after education minister Jean-Michel Blanquer concluded it would be too hot.
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Authorities have also organised designated “cool places” for the vulnerable population, consisting of air-conditioned public places and parks.
Paris-based charities have been handing water to homeless people on the streets of the French capital.
The ongoing Women’s World Cup, which is being hosted in France, could be required to introduce breaks during matches – or postpone them altogether if the heat grows too intense.
The extra precautions follow a Europe-wide heatwave in 2003 that killed 20,000 people – 15,000 of them French.
Many of those who died were elderly people alone in their apartments, or in retirement homes without air conditioning.
In direct response, France implemented a warning system.
French President Emmanuel Macron has encouraged vigilance in protecting the country’s most vulnerable population.
He said: “As you know, at times like these, sick people, pregnant women, infants and elderly people are the most vulnerable.
“So we must be vigilant with them and have prevention measures in place in order to intervene as quickly as possible.”
French health minister Agnes Buzyn said “everything is ready” but warned that there is “always a higher mortality rate” in vulnerable people, despite preparations.
The heatwave, described as “potentially dangerous” by meteorologists at AccuWeather, is caused by hot air moving north from Africa.
It has prompted warnings from other countries, including a yellow warning in parts of Spain and a risk of forest fires in Germany.
