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Stores across the country on Thursday and Friday, after the issue of forecasts of temperatures of up to 40°C, from today (Sunday June 23) well into next week.

Residents have been especially well-prepared this year, shops said, in contrast to buying patterns in previous years, in which people have tended to buy air conditioners and fans at the “last minute” after a heatwave (canicule) has already hit.

A statement from home appliances and electricity group Boulanger : “Following the announcement of the heatwave, Boulanger has already seen a rise in sales by 400% (compared to the usual) in the air treatment category.

"We are also seeing a trend towards clients who are investing more from the start, taking into account the current tendency towards repeated hot weather.”

Olivier Garcia, product director at the Fnac-Darty group, : “The most in-demand products are ventilators, air conditioners, and coolers. Last week, sales started on air conditioners. We are already up 100% compared to last year (2018).

“We are even almost up to 300% for Thursday and Friday.”

Benoît Vincelet, store director at the Castorama branch in Cormeilles-en-Parisis, near Paris, said: “We have seen a peak in sales since yesterday. We sold 80% of our stock of air conditioners in two days.”

Mr Garcia added: “Normally, the French are not very cautious, and generally come to the shops at the last minute, after one or two difficult nights [during a heatwave]. But the media coverage of the heat has been much more widespread, so the public has anticipated it a little more.”