The neighbouring Alpes-Maritimes Departement has been placed on Orange Alert for high winds, joining le Var, Haute-Corse and le Puy-de-Dome. Conditions are due to worsen after midnight on Thursday, Meteo France warned.

A total of 47 other Departements are on the less serious Yellow Alert.

The local Orange Alert is expected to last through Friday.

Several Departements in the west and north-west of France have been placed under an Orange Alert for high seas and coastal flooding.