At least three people have died after violent storms and torrential rainfall swept through southern France, unleashing chaos across the French Riviera since Monday.
An elderly couple was found dead in the resort town of Le Lavandou, swept away while trying to flee their home amid rapidly rising floodwaters. A third victim died in Vidauban after their car plunged into a ditch on a submerged road — only one of two occupants could be rescued.
Le Lavandou officials described the destruction as “a violent, incomprehensible phenomenon,” with mayor Gil Bernardi noting roads ripped apart and bridges destroyed. The town was inundated by 256mm of rain in just one hour, knocking out power and water supply, and leaving the main access road under water.
In Vidauban, Mayor Claude Pianetti confirmed that a passer-by heroically rescued one person from the flooded vehicle but was unable to save the other.
Emergency services in the Var region received over 500 calls, deploying hundreds of rescuers, including reinforcements from Cannes. More than 600 homes remain without power, and several regional trains were halted overnight due to track damage.
The Bordeaux–Toulouse rail line has also been affected, with cancellations expected to continue for days.
Though weather alerts for thunderstorms and flooding were downgraded Tuesday, the aftermath of the disaster continues to grip the region in crisis.
