In pictures: French floods

1 of 7 Some of the worst storms to hit France in recent years, with winds of up to 150 kilometres per hour, have left large areas in the Rhone Valley under water.

2 of 7 Receding waters revealed a trail of devastation on Thursday, with road, rail and air traffic severely disrupted.

3 of 7 There is a lot of water around, but residents have been warned not to drink tap water - it may be contaminated.

4 of 7 The army was called in to help evacuate thousands of flood-stricken residents into temporary shelter.

5 of 7 Most of the 15,000 evacuees have to camp in schools, gyms and council rooms until the waters recede.

6 of 7 The situation is said to be easing around Marseille, where public workers have started removing mud from the streets.

7 of 7 President Jacques Chirac pledged 12m euros ($14m) in aid for the region, which was declared a natural disaster zone.