France's Heat-Death Prevention System Built After 2003 Still Saw 2,025 Excess Deaths in June 2026

France recorded 2,025 excess deaths during the late-June 2026 heatwave, 530 among people aged 85 or older, despite a heat-response system built to prevent a repeat of the 2003 disaster that killed 15,000. Registries, postal-worker home visits, and public guidance campaigns were all active. Paris mortality rose nearly 65%. France kept its health emergency plan at the highest level.