Haute-Savoie

One torrent of snow came in Val-Cenis, in the south-eastern Savoie region, killing four Norwegian skiers, while a Swiss skier died further north in the Haute-Savoie region, near Chamonix.

The Haute-Savoie prefecture reminded skiers and hikers to exercise caution and follow guidance amid January's high avalanche risk.

The Haute-Savoie region is known for its outstanding Chamonix ski resort, which hosts World Cup races, for sweeping views across glacier fields to nearby Italy, and — some would say more importantly — as a producer of fine cheese.

"We will stick to our fiscal policy. We will continue lowering taxes for households and for businesses", Le Maire said during a visit to the Haute-Savoie department in the French Alps.

Antoine Armand, a lawmaker for the Haute-Savoie area, which includes Annecy, said on Twitter that there had been an “abominable knife attack on children in a playground” in the city.