Temperature records were broken at at least four weather stations in southern France on Monday as much of the country baked in a new summer heatwave and the government called for vigilance.
In the southwestern city of Bordeaux, the mercury reached 41.6 degrees Celsius at around 4:00 pm (1400 GMT), compared with a previous record of 41.2C on July 23, 2019.
All-time records were also broken at meteorological stations in Bergerac, Cognac and Saint Girons, according to the national weather service, Meteo France.
"The maximum temperatures could rise further," Patrick Galois, a forecaster at Meteo France, told reporters.
A temperature of 41C was recorded in the cities of Toulouse and Carcassonne.
The heatwave, the country's second this summer, began on Friday and was forecast to last at lea