The forecasts reflect that almost the entire national territory will cope with more than 35 degrees, up to 36 expected in Paris and the worst scenario predicted for the regions of Occitanie, Aquitaine and Pays de la Loire.

The blistering heat present since early this week forced forecaster Meteo France to set up a red alert, the largest in the country, starting at 14:00 hours, local time, in 12 departments on Friday.

Charente, Charente-Maritime, Haute-Garonne, Gers, Gironde, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne, Deux-Sèvres, Tarn, Tarn-et-Garonne, Vendee and Vienne are the territories that will pass to red alert, while 25 are or will turn to orange alert.

Only the French east seems less threatened by the heatwave, which has triggered in recent days the measures to protect the most vulnerable and the calls to stay hydrated and in cool places, avoid heavy physical exercise and care for the elderly and chronically ill persons.

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