In pictures. Snow and ice in Paris and the west: Cold snap settles over part of France

Much of northern France and the Paris region were covered in white on Monday, January 5. In total, Météo-France placed 26 departments throughout the west of the country and around Paris on orange alert until Tuesday morning due to severe weather conditions.

On Monday morning, significant snowfall blanketed parts of Normandy, causing major disruptions on several major highways.

Snow also fell in the afternoon in Paris. Across the rest of France, the weather was not much more forgiving, according to the meteorological service: "freezing, with severe frost and persistent fog."

The Sacré-Cœur basilica in Paris on January 5, 2026. AURELIEN MORISSARD / AP

Snow near Croisilles, northern France, January 5, 2026. LOU BENOIST / AFP