Paris wakes up under blanket of snow, as cold spell persists in Europe

Snow and freezing temperatures coated Paris landmarks, snarled traffic and prompted weather warnings, as icy conditions spread across northwestern Europe.

Reuters

6 January 2026

French Republican guards stand on the steps next to the snow-covered courtyard of the Elysee Palace before a summit of the so-called 'Coalition of the Willing' in Paris, as winter weather with snow and cold temperatures hits a large part of the country, France, January 6, 2026.

Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters

Snow blanketed Paris on Tuesday (January 6) as icy weather hit northwestern Europe this week.

Frosty layers covered parts of the Eiffel Tower and Hausmannian buildings around the capital.

Tourists walked on the snow on the Trocadero platform, facing the Eiffel Tower.

France’s weather agency issued yellow weather warnings for the cold and slippery conditions, which are expected to continue into Wednesday (January 7).

The snow caused traffic jams around the Paris region and French media reported at least six people across the country had died in road accidents due to ice.

Production: Katya Skvortsova, Antony Paone, Michaela Cabrera/Reuters