-
Photos: four historic French châteaux on sale for under €1 million
Grand abandoned properties are looking for new owners
-
France's Favourite Village 2025: when and how to tune in
We look at the shortlist of 14 villages vying to win the title in tomorrow's (July 2) television announcement
-
One dead after violent storm, mudslide and flooding in Savoie and Italy
‘Worst flooding in 70 years’ cuts rail and road traffic across Alps
Motorists urged to avoid travel as snow turns to ice
Drivers in Île-de-France warned not to make unnecessary journeys as sub-zero temperatures turn snow into ice - but some Parisians found the perfect way to negotiate the wintry conditions

Drivers in the Île-de-France have again been urged not to make unnecessary car journeys after sub-zero overnight temperatures turned settled snow and slush into ice following record-breaking snowstorms.
The eight departments in the region, Paris (Seine), Seine-Saint-Denis, Val-de-Marne, Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-et-Marne, Yvelines, Essonne and Val d'Oise - along with Ariège in the southwest of the country - are on orange alert on Thursday due to the danger of ice, national forecaster Météo France said.
But there was some slight relief on Thursday for commuters who use the rail network to get to work. SNCF has said two out of three scheduled trains would run throughout the day. On Wednesday, one in two services were cancelled.
TGV services were running, but passengers have been warned to expected delays due to reduced speed limits due to the freezing temperatures.
As reported, the record snowfall in the region on Tuesday evening into Wednesday, led to travel chaos, with thousands of commuters stranded in their cars overnight on Tuesday.
Some roads, including the N118 south of Paris remain closed, with about 80 of the 950 vehicles that were abandoned on Tuesday night still to be cleared.
On Wednesday, Mayor Anne Hidalgo admitted Paris had a "problem" with "the … vulnerability of transport networks".
"All public services throughout the region need to be far better prepared for exceptional events," she told French television.
It was not all bad news, however, with social media users sharing some impressive images of the capital under the snow.
Look at that beautiful white coat covering the city! 😍 We love #Paris in the snow. ❄️ Thanks for sharing your snowy pictures 👍 #neige pic.twitter.com/RSJXk6qWpw
— Paris je t'aime (@ParisJeTaime) February 5, 2018
Meanwhile, some Parisians found the perfect way to get about without a car.
Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France
#skiing to work in Le Chesnay, #Paris #France this morning anyone ?? Theses people thought it was a good idea... source; @Meteovilles #neige #ExtremeWeather #ParisNeige pic.twitter.com/dOMkgcJnCA
— WEATHER/ METEO WORLD (@StormchaserUKEU) February 7, 2018
I’ve heard of walking to work but #skiing erm this was this morning from #Montmartre to #Paris #France heavy #snow covered ten ground... #neige #ExtremeWeather video Basile Ducournau report: @Meteovilles https://t.co/j6XzxZ0Hvd pic.twitter.com/IMvPYYIzlz
— WEATHER/ METEO WORLD (@StormchaserUKEU) February 7, 2018
Once in a lifetime! #ski #Paris #TourEiffel. ✅ pic.twitter.com/pZUxAd4Q8a
— Christophe Chenut (@ChChenut) February 7, 2018