Italy limited work outdoors, France shut schools and Turkey battled wildfires on Tuesday in a European heatwave that meteorologists said was "exceptional" for striking so early this year.

Paris extended a red alert for high temperatures on Tuesday, with the top of the Eiffel Tower shut, polluting traffic banned and speed restrictions in place as a searing heat wave grips Europe.

French authorities imposed precautions nationwide in anticipation of peak temperatures on Tuesday, with some areas bracing for highs of 41C in a heatwave that has gripped all of Europe.

France and the rest of Europe are still in the grips of the first major heat wave this summer even as conditions began to improve in some parts of the region

Schools were partially shut in France, iconic monuments closed to tourists, and cities across Europe put on high alert as a record-breaking early summer heat wave spread across the continent Tuesday.

As a heat wave scorches most of Europe, the Eiffel Tower announced it will be closing early on Tuesday with France expected to hit triple-digit temperatures. With temperatures in Paris expected to reach 38.