France's summer heatwave killed a total of 14,800 people, according to official figures released on Thursday.
Unclaimed victims were buried in unmarked graves
The figure covers 1-30 August, including a fortnight of record-breaking heat.
The number is almost 4,000 more than previous Health Ministry estimates.
The heat saw temperatures consistently above 40C in parts of Europe.
France - 14,800
Italy - 4,200
Netherlands - 1,400
Portugal - 1,300
UK - 900
Spain - 100
France was particularly badly hit by the weather, with the unusually high number of deaths putting a heavy strain on mortuaries.
The latest report - by the National Institute for Health and Medical Research - covers a longer period than previous reports, including the week when temperature began to fall.
Women worst hit
It says the death rate was on average 60% higher than usual for the time of year.
In some parts of France, notably central France and the Paris area, it was significantly more than 60%.
And the surge in the death rate was greater among women than among men - 70% higher compared with 40%.
Most of the deaths were among the elderly. The report said it was difficult to determine whether there was an increase in mortality among under-45s.
Correspondents say the report will intensify scrutiny of the
government's handling of the heatwave, which was seen as tardy and
Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin has promised a thorough review of the health service following the crisis.
A report earlier in September concluded that poor communication and the absence of doctors who were on August leave were contributing factors to the deaths.