‘A kind of massive rave’: Paris braces for 2m revellers as Fête de las Musique returns amid heatwave warnings

People dance through the streets of Montmartre during Fête de la Musique in 2023. Photograph: Kiran Ridley/Getty Images View image in fullscreen People dance through the streets of Montmartre during Fête de la Musique in 2023. Photograph: Kiran Ridley/Getty Images ‘A kind of massive rave’: Paris braces for 2m revellers as Fête de las Musique returns amid heatwave warnings Officials expand safety measures as French capital prepares for huge annual street celebration Paris is preparing for a street party of unprecedented scale on Sunday, as more than 2 million people are expected to gather for the Fête de la Musique amid a huge influx of music fans from the UK and warnings of record temperatures. France’s annual free street music festival, which has been running for more than 40 years, has grown into the country’s largest cultural event. What was previously a nationwide showcase for local and amateur talent – from village choirs to classical ensembles and techno acts in the capital – has evolved into a vast international open-air celebration. Last year, Paris welcomed a sudden and unexpected rush of music fans from the UK and other neighbouring countries after word spread on social media, creating an impromptu festival attended by about 2 million people. Lamia El Aaraje, Paris’s deputy mayor, said “calls to all of Europe’s youth to come and party” in the city had transformed the event into “a kind of massive rave”. She added: “Last year there was an impact on the public space, there were excesses, incidents, lots of sexual violence. We had a large clean-up issue afterwards so this year we wanted to mobilise ahead of time to secure the event.” View image in fullscreen The annual celebration, which originated in Paris in 1982, is now celebrated internationally on 21 June as World Music Day. Photograph: Mohammed Badra/EPA After reports of sexual violence last year – including some women and men who reported being pricked with syringes – authorities have adopted a zero-tolerance approach. Special cordoned-off safe spaces for women and disabled people will operate in key locations, including near city hall and Bastille, staffed by specialist support teams trained to deal with sexual violence complaints. Fashion tycoon Bernard Arnault accused of stranglehold over French business press Read more Paris city hall also warned international visitors about the dangers of canals and waterways. Last month, during celebrations after Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League final victory over Arsenal, two people died in the Seine. One had a cardiac arrest after jumping in the river, while another was later found dead. The city is also bracing for the practical consequences of hosting such vast crowds. Last year’s event generated so much litter that refuse teams needed two weeks to clear it. Thousands of additional bins and recycling points have been installed across Paris this weekend, while officials have urged visitors to use the city’s 600 round-the-clock public