FRANCE and western Europe were bracing for a new record-breaking heatwave Tuesday that is forcing the temporary shutdown of a French nuclear power station and will test competitors in the legendary Tour de France cycle race.

The French city of Bordeaux has hit its highest temperature since records began. On Tuesday, Meteo France registered 41.2 degrees Celsius in the southwestern city, breaking a 2003 record of 40.7 degrees Celsius.

Forecasters predict a record-breaking run across Europe this week, including Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.

Much of France has been issued with an orange alert — the second-highest level of warning.

Meteo France said Paris temperatures might hit new highs today. The record, set in 1947, stands at 40.4 degrees Celsius.

The mercury is also expected to climb to 40 degrees Celsius in a string of countries.

In an unprecedented move, Belgium has issued a code red weather warning for the whole country

Spain declared a red alert in its Zaragoza region, which was hit by devastating wildfires last month. To limit the heating of water used to keep its nuclear reactors cool, French energy firm EDF said it would be shutting two reactors at the Golftech nuclear power plant in the southern Tarn-et-Garonne region.

(SD-Agencies)