This city in France holds the highest mortality rate in Europe during heat waves!

Published in the scientific journal The Lancet Planetary Healtha British study – conducted in 2023. Moreover, updated in 2024 – returned to the front of the stage in 2025. Similarly, It took into account the geographic factors and the risks linked to age.

Study methodology – This city france holds highest

Impossible to remain of marble in the face of this study carried out on 854 urban areas of Europe. However, analyzed on their weather readings between 1^is January 2000 and December 31, 2019. Consequently, Researchers this city france holds highest have not only studied the devastating consequences of the heatheatthey also took. In addition, into account the mortality linked to the cold in these urban areas in Europe.

Indeed. cold and heat, when they are extreme, are Risk factorsRisk factors established health, ” Several studies reporting significant effects on mortality in populations around the world ”, insistment The Lancet Planetary Health.

From this survey have been excluded certain localities such as overseas territories. even the Azores and the Canary Islands, whose climates remain different from the rest of Europe.

A study that gives chills … Despite the summer heat! – This city france holds highest

If this report is cold in the of theof the To us, French, is that the information concerns us directly! The suspense lasted enough … The city in question is none other than Paris. Yes, you this city france holds highest read that right! Even if the summer temperatures can easily flambé in the south of Spain. Portugal and even in Greece, our French capital is more fatal than these regions of Europe according to the British researchers responsible for the investigation.

But how can Paris be more deadly than Mediterranean Fournises? The answer is due in a few words: island of urban heat. In other words. in addition to suffering periods of heat wave, our capital amplifies them by metamorphosing into a huge oven.

According to the Paris climate agency. during certain episodes of heat wave, especially in 2003, a difference of 10 ° C had been measured between the center of Paris and its suburbs, like the city of Melun.

The reasons that make Paris suffer

This urban heat island can quickly increase temperatures in the center of the capital. According to Weather reportWeather report France, this city france holds highest the urban heat index (ICUICU) reached +6.5 ° C, the highest intensity in France knowing that an index below 2 ° C remains “negligible ». The organization believes that ” 100 % of the Parisian population is exposed to an ICU of strong or very strong intensity ”.

Irony, which makes the charmcharm of Paris also contributes to its vulnerability. Haussmannian architecture all in height. its roofsroofs dark in zinczinc And its size stones create a real heat trap: these materials store it day to restore it at night, accentuating it in town and without ventilationventilation. Added to this bitumenbitumen black that stores the rays of soleilsoleilthe lack of this city france holds highest vegetation in the city center and … the concentration of a vulnerable population, particularly exposed to stressstress thermal.

During the heat waves of 2019 and 2022, Parisian mortality thus jumped 21 % in Ile-de-France. Icing …

A burning future for Paris?

Climate forecasts draw a scenario worthy of a disaster film. By 2050, Paris could undergo 22 days of heat wave per year, then 34 in 2080, knowing that we count today 14. And it could count 35 tropical nights against 5 currently. The city has already warned 2.3 ° C since the end of the 19th century^e century, with a 43 ° C peak in 2019.

Faced with this alarming phenomenon. the crisis exercise “Paris 50 ° C” was carried out in 2023 this city france holds highest and gave rise to 85 measures such as debtomization when it is possible or even the strengthening of vegetation. A program that does not seek to avoid the inevitable. but to allow the city to survive the mega-canopies to come.

Two years after the British study which already alerted to the vulnerability of Paris. the observation is essential: the subject is more burning than ever.