Working in France During Record Summer Temperatures
With France facing another record-breaking hot summer, with temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F) in some areas this June, working in such extreme heat has become more than just uncomfortable. For many, whether in an office, on a construction site, in a hospitality or delivery role, the heat can pose serious health risks.
In response, France implemented stricter workplace safety rules, requiring employers to take concrete measures when high temperatures endanger their staff. If you own a business, manage employees, or live and work in France, here’s what you need to know.
No Maximum Legal Working Temperature
Unlike certain countries, French employment law does not set a specific maximum temperature that automatically halts work. Instead, the French Labour Code imposes a legal obligation on employers to ensure employee health and safety.
When temperatures pose a danger, employers are required to evaluate the risks and implement necessary measures to mitigate them. Essentially, if heat makes working conditions dangerously unhealthy, employers are expected to modify the workplace to address the issue.
New Heatwave Rules Introduced in 2025
Since July 2025, new regulations have strengthened employers’ responsibilities during periods of intense heat.
The new rules are linked directly to Météo-France‘s official weather alert system, meaning workplace measures become progressively more stringent as heat warnings increase.
Green Alert
Normal seasonal conditions with no particular precautions or specific risk beyond standard workplace safety requirements.
Yellow Alert – Heat Spike
Employers should begin preventative measures, including:
- ensuring adequate ventilation
- checking the availability of drinking water
- preparing adjustments to working hours where necessary
Orange Alert – Heatwave
Additional measures become necessary, including:
- adapting working hours to cooler parts of the day
- increasing the frequency of rest breaks
- limiting strenuous outdoor work, particularly during the hottest hours between approximately 11 am and 4 pm
Red Alert – Extreme Heatwave
Under the highest alert level, employers may need to:
- reorganise work schedules entirely
- reassess daily operations
- suspend particularly exposed outdoor work
- introduce widespread remote working where practical
- move shifts to very early morning hours
Basic Employer Responsibilities
Regardless of the weather, French employers already have legal obligations that become particularly important during periods of extreme heat. These include providing:
- free access to fresh drinking water
- adequate ventilation in enclosed workplaces
- workplace risk assessments that specifically include the dangers associated with high temperatures
The INRS (French National Research and Safety Institute) considers heat to present health risks from approximately:
- 28°C for physically demanding work
- 30°C for sedentary office-based work
Construction Workers Receive Additional Protection
Employees working in construction and public works (BTP) are subject to additional rules because they spend extended periods outdoors. Employers must provide:
- at least three litres of drinking water per worker per day where mains water is unavailable
- shaded or sheltered rest areas
- appropriate arrangements for breaks
Periods of officially recognised heatwaves may also allow construction companies to claim compensation when work must stop because conditions have become unsafe.
Can Employees Wear Shorts at Work?
Many visitors to France are surprised to learn that there is no nationwide dress code in hot weather. French employment law typically allows employees to choose their own clothing. Nevertheless, employers can enforce reasonable restrictions if there are justified reasons.
Health and Safety
Workers required to wear protective equipment, such as safety boots, fire-resistant clothing or other PPE, cannot simply replace them with shorts or sandals.
Professional Image
Businesses with employees who interact directly with customers, like banks, hotels, or luxury retailers, might need stricter dress codes, as long as the rules are fair. In practice, many French employers now take a more relaxed, practical approach during intense heatwaves, permitting smart Bermuda shorts when suitable.
Vulnerable Workers Receive Extra Protection
Certain employees require additional consideration during periods of extreme heat. These include:
- workers under the age of 18
- pregnant employees
- staff with chronic medical conditions
Employers should prioritise adjustments to working conditions wherever necessary, often in consultation with occupational health professionals, and review their professional insurance coverage.
Can Employees Refuse to Work?
French law grants employees the right to withdraw from work (“droit de retrait“) if they reasonably believe they face a serious and imminent threat to their health.
For example, if an employer fails to provide drinking water or adequate ventilation and employees begin to show symptoms such as dizziness, dehydration, or heat exhaustion, they may leave their workstations after notifying their employer. As long as these conditions truly pose a serious danger, employees should not face disciplinary measures or loss of pay for exercising this right.
Practical Advice for Working Safely During a Heatwave
Whether you are an employer or employee, a few simple precautions can significantly reduce the risks associated with extreme temperatures. Health authorities recommend:
- drinking water regularly, even before feeling thirsty
- wearing light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing where possible
- protecting your head from direct sunlight
- reducing physically demanding tasks during the hottest hours
- taking frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas
- eating lighter meals
- avoiding alcohol during working hours
- informing your employer immediately if you begin feeling unwell
What to do in a Heat-Related Emergency
If you or a coworker start feeling unwell in hot environments, prompt action is crucial. Signs like extreme tiredness, dizziness, headaches, confusion, nausea, or excessive thirst can indicate heat exhaustion or, in severe cases, heatstroke.
Those showing these symptoms should promptly notify their employer, supervisor, or a work colleague.
First Aid Steps
If someone becomes unwell because of the heat:
- Move them into the shade or a cool, well-ventilated area.
- Loosen or remove excess clothing.
- Cool the person gradually using cool water, damp cloths or gentle fanning.
- Encourage them to drink water if they are fully conscious and able to swallow.
- Never leave the person alone, and continue to monitor their condition.
If the person loses consciousness, becomes confused, develops a very high temperature or their condition does not improve quickly, call the emergency services immediately.
Emergency Numbers in France
Although we’ve written about emergency numbers in France before, keep these important numbers handy:
- 15 – SAMU (medical emergency service)
- 18 – Fire and Rescue Service
- 112 – European emergency number (works throughout the EU and can be called from any mobile phone)
During extreme heat periods, the French authorities run the Canicule Info Service at 0800 06 66 66. This free helpline is accessible from landlines across mainland France from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Renovating a Property During a Heatwave
If you’re renovating a home in France, expect builders to sometimes arrive at dawn or finish early in the afternoon. During periods of high heat, many contractors shift their working hours to cooler parts of the day to safeguard their teams and comply with French safety rules.
For larger projects such as roofing, masonry, and landscaping, progress may slow or pause during official orange or red heatwave alerts. Construction companies may halt unsafe activities and, in some cases, may be eligible for weather-related compensation under France’s construction regulations.
Although these safety measures might occasionally extend your project timeline, they help prevent heat-related illnesses. If you plan to renovate during summer’s peak, consider adding some flexibility to your schedule and discussing backup plans with your contractor beforehand.
France is Adapting to a Hotter Future
Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common across France, and what was once considered exceptional is gradually becoming part of everyday summer life.
For employers, these regulations show that extreme heat is a serious workplace safety issue, not just an inconvenience. For employees, knowing these rights helps keep everyone safe and businesses running during hot days.
Whether you are renovating a home, running a small business, working on a construction site or managing a French château estate, adapting to higher temperatures is likely to become an increasingly important part of living and working in France.
