France imposes water restrictions in 67 departments amid drought

Nearly 70 percent of France is now under water-use restrictions as successive heatwaves and severe drought intensify pressure on the country’s water supplies. Authorities said Monday that 67 of 101 departments had reached the highest crisis alert, while two-thirds of groundwater reserves were below normal levels. Another heatwave is expected to spread across the country this week.

The restrictions mark a sharp escalation in France’s struggle with climate change. The country has seen five heatwaves so far this year, double the average for this time. Drought has gripped large parts of Europe since last summer, but France’s situation is worsening faster than expected. Farmers are reporting crop losses, river levels are falling, and some nuclear power plants—relying on river water for cooling—have had to reduce output. Wildfires have broken out in the south, including in the Gironde region, which saw major blazes last year.

The crisis is rooted in long-term trends. France’s average temperature has risen by about 1.7°C since pre-industrial times, above the global average. The government has acknowledged that water management policies, built for a cooler climate, are now outdated. Last year, it pledged €1.4 billion in drought-prevention measures, but critics say enforcement is inconsistent. Reservoirs in the south, like those on the Durance and Garonne rivers, are dangerously low. Meanwhile, urban areas are under pressure as tourism spikes during heatwaves, increasing demand.

What happens next could reshape France’s approach to water. The government is expected to announce tighter national guidelines this week, possibly banning non-essential water use such as car washing and lawn watering in affected areas. But experts warn that without deeper changes—like modernizing irrigation, investing in desalination, and rethinking urban planning—the country will face repeat crises. With no significant rainfall forecast, the situation is likely to worsen before it improves. This isn’t just about restrictions. It’s about whether France can adapt to a hotter, drier future.