Heavy snow in the French Alps has left 15,000 drivers stranded, prompting officials to open emergency shelters and urge travellers to stay home.
The snow and ice hit as a rush of holidaymakers were heading to or leaving ski resorts in the Savoie region in southeastern France, where authorities set up shelters in at least 12 towns.
The snow and freezing rain caused the death of a 27-year-old man whose car slid into a ravine in the Belledonne mountain range.
France's Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve urged drivers "to exercise the utmost caution" and asked those who could delay their trips to do so.
The country declared an orange weather alert on Saturday - one step under the maximum red - in 19 districts.
France's meteorological service said it expected more snowfall and "significant re-freezing" on Saturday night, and warned of slippery roads.
Elsewhere in France high winds wrought havoc for holiday travellers.
Storms packing gusts of up to 160 kilometres an hour forced the temporary closure of the Channel port of Calais and the suspension of ferries to Britain.
Strong winds also forced the closure of the gardens at the chateau of Versailles near Paris.
Snow caused disruption in Britain too, leading to power outages in more than 100,000 homes and to airport delays.
The heaviest snow was in Leek, in the Midlands, where 11 centimetres fell.
Flights to European destinations were delayed at Manchester, the third biggest airport in Britain.
Forecasters predict temperatures in Britain could drop to minus 10 degrees Celsius next week.
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