Extreme Heatwave Across Europe Prompts Warnings, Closes Eiffel Tower
As Europe in summer heats up earlier and hotter, it’s becoming more common for tourist attractions to shut down.
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An extreme heat wave in France has forced the closure of the top level of the Eiffel Tower for today (July 2, 2025). All tourists without pre-purchased tickets to enter the bottom levels of the Eiffel Tower are being told to say away and will not be permitted inside at all.
According to CBS News, temperatures are expected to reach 104 degrees Fahrenheit in France, forcing not only the Eiffel Tower to close but more than 1,000 schools across the country, as well. In Brussels, the Atomium closed early on July 1 and will close early again today – only the second time the attraction has modified its hours because of extreme heat. (The first time was in 2019.)
Across much of Europe, this past June is expected to be among the five hottest on record, and heat warnings are still in effect for several countries including France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Belgium, and the Netherlands, among others.
In Barcelona, soaring temperatures resulted in the hottest June in more than a century. Madrid reported temperatures as high as 102 F and the southern province of Huelva in Spain recorded a new high mark for June of 114 F.
In Portugal, the Portuguese weather service confirmed the highest single temperature ever recorded for June in mainland Portugal at 115 F.
This is not the first time extreme heat has forced tourist attractions to close. In 2023 and 2024, the Acropolis shut down in July for several days.
Travel advisors should remind clients visiting Europe to stay hydrated and out of the sun during the middle of the day as much as possible.
