By OLIVIA KENNARD, GRACIE OWENS, GRACIE DYKES

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

French Market Organizer Thomas Boutn, 52, places decorations on the festival stage. He is preparing the stage for this year’s music performer, who traveled from France to provide entertainment at the festival (Photo/Gracie Owens). 

PRAGUE, Czech Republic – Prague local vendors near the Charles Bridge note a slower-than-expected turnout at the beginning of annual French Market in Kampa Park, pointing to the heatwave as the likely culprit keeping visitors away from the open-air stalls. 

According to BBC News, temperature highs are predicted to range from 23*C to 29* C during the length of the festival. Locals note that it feels hotter than previous years. 

“I think there are less people out to be honest. [The heatwave] seems to be reducing tourism,” says Kryštof, 17, a wine vendor at the annual French Market Festival. “If I was a tourist I would not come to Prague.” He declined to provide his last name. 

Prague, as a whole, had nearly 8.3 million visitors in 2025. When it comes to market attendance, sellers seem unphased by the sweltering weather, claiming it’s the tourists who can’t handle the heat. 

Claire Rouse, 18, a student visiting from New York City, USA, notes that she believes the hardest part of the heatwave as a tourist is the lack of ways to lower body temperature. “I just feel like everyone from here is so used to it. Those of us not from Europe are used to other ways to cool off…Prague does not even have as many water stations as other parts of Europe.” 

Despite appearances, the natives are not entirely immune to the current weather. As consumer attitudes are being impacted, sellers are the ones to feel the backlash. 

“The heatwaves are not welcome,” says French Market Organizer Thomas Boutn, “because when there’s too much heat, then people are not very hungry.”

Vendors at the market are mostly specialized importers of French based food in Prague. Czech locals enjoy the transformative atmosphere, noting it feels as if they’re traveling on holiday. Due to its location, many tourists discover this “French corner” during their morning of sightseeing. 

Boutn, born in Paris, France but a 23 year Prague resident, states his belief that the mix of Praguers and visitors is what “brings life to the event.” 

Today, July 14, marked the 19th annual edition of the festival. With it being the first day of this year’s event, it is uncertain that this trend will stick throughout the week as temperatures continue to rise until Friday.