An orange winter weather warning is in effect in 26 departments in western France. The unusually heavy snowfall has caused major traffic disruptions in Normandy and the Paris region, among other places.
But some choose to look positively at the snow.
In Paris, residents and tourists have gathered at the Sacré-Coeur landmark in the Montmartre district. On a thin layer of snow, they sled and ski down the hill surrounding the church, according to images from the AP news agency and others.
Other images show people dancing in ski gear in the middle of central Paris - and a police officer protecting himself from snowballs with his riot shield.
