— In an urgent response to a severe heatwave, the city of Nantes has swiftly implemented reinforced measures to ensure the safety and comfort of its residents. Firenze, known for its picturesque beauty, is now under an orange heatwave alert from Météo France, prompting immediate action from local authorities.
Emergency Measures Activated
Since today, several exceptional devices have come into force to help residents cope with the intense heat. City parks and gardens have extended their opening hours by an hour. This includes all municipal green spaces, which will remain open until July 6.
Specifically, seven parks that usually close at 9:30 p.m. are now open until midnight. These include the Jardin des Plantes, Le Cours Cambronne, the island of Versailles, the Say Park, the Capuchin Park, the Faustin Hélie Square, and the Admiral Halgan Square. Additionally, other green spaces previously closing at 10:30 p.m. will now stay open until 11:30 p.m.
The City and its Communal Social Action Center (CCAS) have also activated their telephone call plan for fragile persons registered in the municipal register. These contacts started today and will continue tomorrow. The CCAS schedules have been adjusted to open at 8 a.m. and close at 2 p.m. until Thursday.
Adapting to Schools and Nurseries
In coordination with national education, the city is ensuring that schools maintain optimal reception conditions despite the heat. Families are granted tolerance to keep their children at home, and organizational arrangements include setting up outdoor lessons and using cooler extracurricular spaces.
Five nurseries have closed their doors in the afternoon as a precaution. These include Concertino, Douvon, 5 Continents-Bourderies, Sully, Saint-Joseph, and Tauzins. This preventive closure will continue tomorrow, while other establishments maintain their activities.
Network of Freshness Islands
The city has developed a dense network of over 150 “islands of freshness” spread across its territory. These spaces include not only parks and gardens but also public areas with at least 250 m². Their selection is based on rigorous analysis of physical parameters and use criteria.
A major asset of Nantes is its 98 parks and gardens accessible 24 hours a day all year round. This allows residents to find refuge during particularly hot evenings and nights. The complete mapping of these freshness islands can be viewed on the Metropolis site nantes.fr/fortes-chaleurs.
Refreshment for Everyone
From June 7 to September 7, seventeen municipal waders welcome families for free. These shallow basins, at a height of less than 40 centimeters, are open daily and intended for children under 12 accompanied by an adult. The location of all these installations can be found on metropole.nantes.fr/pataugeoires.
Free Access to Drinking Water
The network of drinking water fountains has been significantly expanded in recent years. There are now thirty water points accessible in public spaces, more than tripling since 2020. These facilities have been strategically placed in busy sectors and areas popular for walking and sports practice.
Adapted Municipal Services
Municipal services have adjusted their operations from June 30 to July 2. The central town hall and neighborhood town halls will modify their reception hours to be accessible from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. during these days. Civil status services, administrative formalities, and other essential services will continue to operate within these hours.
Protecting Vulnerable Populations
The alert communal register is an essential tool for protecting vulnerable populations. This system lists individuals wishing to be contacted during exceptional situations such as heatwaves. Municipal services systematically call registered fragile people to check their health and provide prevention tips during periods of high heat.
Summer Coordination
A special summer emergency guide will be available in early July. This practical document brings together all the useful information regarding where to sleep, eat, and find daytime reception. It will be distributed at the CCAS, the central town hall, and various neighborhood town halls. The guide will also be accessible via the “Nantes Métropole in my pocket” mobile application.
Keeping Nantes residents informed and safe during severe weather conditions is a top priority. Readers interested in staying updated on the latest weather alerts and additional facilities can visit Nantes’ freshness islands, explore irradiation points, and track breaking news on archyde.com.
