Record heat hit France on Tuesday with temperatures nudging 40°C – the hottest day on record this June.
With only 25% of homes, schools and hospitals fitted with air‑conditioning, the nation faces a stark decision on how to keep its population safe.
Politically, Marine Le Pen is urging a subsidised nationwide rollout while Greens say cooling may become inevitable and are moving away from their earlier stance against 'climatisation'.
The debate underscores the clash between environmental concerns and urgent public health needs, as France grapples with rising temperatures and the urgent need for cooling solutions.
