Up to 50 cm (19½ inches) of snow fell in some parts bringing power cuts to up to 50,000 households in the Isere region in the Alps.
“C’est l’hiver avant l’heure;” or ‘it is winter before it should be’, was one local person’s reaction to heavy snow falls which have hit eastern parts of France.
Authorities have issued an “Orange” warning, the second highest alert, and rescue services have been fully mobilised.