Marek Kučera 
On July 5, 2025, the picturesque coastal town of Sète, located along the French Riviera, experienced a historic heatwave, reaching a blistering 37.4°C. This marks the highest July temperature ever recorded in the city, surpassing all previous records and highlighting the intensifying trend of extreme summer temperatures in southern France.
A Historic Heat Record Broken
Sète, known for its beautiful canals and Mediterranean charm, is no stranger to hot summers. However, this new peak of 37.4°C shattered the city’s previous July high, standing as a stark reminder of the region’s increasing vulnerability to heatwaves. The combination of dry inland winds, intense solar radiation, and subsiding air from a dominating high-pressure system created perfect conditions for the record-breaking temperature.
Heatwave Grips the French Mediterranean
This heat spike in Sète is part of a broader heatwave sweeping across southern France, including areas such as Marseille, Nice, and the Languedoc region. Several other towns have reported temperatures above 35°C, with alerts issued for fire risks, dehydration, and public health concerns, especially for the elderly and chronically ill.
Authorities have activated heat emergency protocols, opening cooling shelters and advising residents to limit outdoor activities, stay hydrated, and monitor vulnerable family members.
Climate Change and Future Outlook
Meteorologists and climatologists point to climate change as a significant contributor to the increasing frequency and intensity of these heat events. The French Riviera, typically tempered by coastal breezes, is now experiencing more frequent heat anomalies, disrupting tourism, agriculture, and daily life.
With more heat expected in the coming days, experts warn that this could be one of the hottest summers on record for the region.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Riviera
Illustration picture: https://tourhub.co/tour/ramble-worldwide/gardens-of-the-french-riviera/50250-523641
