A heatwave lasting from July 27 to August 20, 2026, resulted in approximately 817 excess deaths in France, according to a report released on September 16 by Santé publique France. This was the longest heatwave ever recorded in the country, affecting nearly 90% of the population. While this third heatwave of the summer was less deadly than the previous two, it added to the total number of excess deaths recorded during the season. Earlier heatwaves had caused an estimated 5,764 deaths between June 17 and July 2, 1,243 between July 3 and July 20, and 95 during a brief heatwave in early May. Altogether, these figures total 7,919 excess deaths, though the number may rise as data collection continues and the full summer is analyzed. The monitoring period runs from June 1 to September 15, and the data is still being finalized. Guillaume Boulanger, head of the unit for quality of living environments, work, and population health at Santé publique France, told AFP that the summer of 2026 was "completely unprecedented," with heatwaves occurring almost continuously. Typically, heatwave days make up about 5% of the summer, but this year, the proportion was significantly higher. According to Météo-France, the summer of 2026 was the hottest since 1900, surpassing the summers of 2003 and 2022. The 2003 heatwave had a severe health impact, resulting in around 15,000 deaths and serving as a wake-up call for public health measures. The 2026 heatwaves affected not only France but primarily Western Europe, including Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy. However, comparing mortality figures across countries is complicated by differing counting methods. This summer’s heatwave had a particularly strong impact on older individuals, with 751 excess deaths recorded among those aged 75 and over, representing a 6.7% increase compared to expected mortality. Nearly half of the excess deaths occurred over three days—August 14 to 16—following the two most intense days of the heatwave, which covered the largest area of the country. Except for Normandy and Occitanie, all French regions experienced excess mortality from all causes. Burgundy-Franche-Comté was the most affected, with 140 excess deaths, due to prolonged exposure to heat. Unlike previous summer heatwaves, this year’s excess mortality was not more pronounced at home. Approximately half of the deaths were recorded in hospitals, compared to 25% at home and slightly over 20% in nursing homes or retirement homes. However, some deaths may have occurred in hospitals after initial exposure at home or in a nursing home, so caution is advised in interpreting these figures. The first heatwave of the summer, which occurred in June, had about 4.5 times more excess deaths than the second and seven times more than the third. Possible reasons for this discrepancy include the early timing of the heatwave, when the body had not yet acclimated to the heat, and the high level of activity at the time, including work and school. A final report on the health effects of the summer heatwaves is expected in early 2027. The health impacts of heat are not limited to heatwaves alone, as excess mortality is generally observed when average daily temperatures exceed 25°C.