Eiffel Tower closed as biggest snowfall since 1987 paralyzes Paris, causing a record 700km (430 miles) of traffic jams

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The Eiffel Tower was shuttered to tourists as heavy snowfall snarled traffic in Paris, bringing the City of Light to a standstill on Wednesday. The exceptional snowfall caused chaos on roadways across Paris, with a record 700km (430 miles) of traffic jams recorded on Tuesday evening. Public transportation also was halted. Authorities opened emergency shelters to accommodate stranded commuters.

paris snow, paris under snow, snow paris, snow paris february 2018
via Instagram

The situation is complicated, it’s even quite exceptional. Authorities asked drivers not to use their cars on February 7, 2018.

paris snow, paris under snow, snow paris, snow paris february 2018
via Instagram
paris snow, paris under snow, snow paris, snow paris february 2018
via Camille Fuentes
paris snow, paris under snow, snow paris, snow paris february 2018
via Twitter

46 emergency shelters were opened to homeless people and others caught out in the winter weather on Tuesday night, housing about 1,000 people. Hundreds were sheltered at train stations and airports.

paris snow, paris under snow, snow paris, snow paris february 2018
via Instagram
paris snow, paris under snow, snow paris, snow paris february 2018
via Facebook

Some 2,500 emergency services staff were deployed to restore order as quickly as possible.

paris snow, paris under snow, snow paris, snow paris february 2018
via Daily Mail

But some Parisians braved the snow, with at least a few skiers and snowboarders taking to one of the slopes in the city – Montmartre hill near Paris’ iconic church, the Sacre Coeur. Others shared photos of the wintry scenes on social media with the hashtag #ParisSousLaNeige, Paris under snow.

paris snow, paris under snow, snow paris, snow paris february 2018
via VK

According to the Meteo France weather service, up to 5.9 inches of snow has fallen in the Paris area so far – the biggest snowfall since 1987.

The greater Paris region is among 27 departments that have been placed under alert across the country, according to Meteo France.

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2 Comments

  1. […] The Eiffel Tower was shuttered to tourists as heavy snowfall snarled traffic in Paris, bringing the City of Light to a standstill on Wednesday. The exceptional snowfall caused chaos on roadways across Paris, with a record 700km (430 miles) of traffic jams recorded on Tuesday evening. Public transportation also was halted. Authorities opened emergency shelters to accommodate stranded commuters. Read More… […]

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