Dramatic pictures show flames and massive clouds of smoke from an inferno ripping through woodland near the upmarket French resort of Saint-Tropez. This was the scene in the hills of Gigaro in La Croix-Valmer near the glamorous town
Dramatic pictures show flames and massive clouds of smoke from an inferno ripping through woodland near the upmarket French resort of Saint-Tropez. This was the scene in the hills of Gigaro in La Croix-Valmer near the glamorous town
A huge fire has hit the French Riviera with the blaze forcing residents to flee homes in the Saint Tropez region.

Photos shared on social media show large plumes of smoke above the hills above the posh beach resort region.

One resident, Paul Adieannsens, tweeted: "Big fire in La Croix Valmer.

"Just made it to escape from our house!"

The location of the fire has been described as southeast of the main St Tropez township near the town of Ramatuelle.



A raging fire is sweeping through woodland in the hills of Gigaro in La Croix-Valmer near Saint Tropez
A raging fire is sweeping through woodland in the hills of Gigaro in La Croix-Valmer near Saint Tropez
Water-bombing helicopters were said to be urgently flying over the area in a bid to put the flames out.

"Mega fire close to St. Tropez," Mirjam vanden Broeke tweeted.

"With a lot of wind at the moment, so things seem pretty bad out there."

Emergency: Dramatic pictures showed huge forest fires near the exclusive L'Escalet area of Saint Tropez in southern France
Emergency: Dramatic pictures showed huge forest fires near the exclusive L'Escalet area of Saint Tropez in southern France

Fire fighting aircraft drop water over a fire near Carros, southeastern France on Monday. A number of fires have been causing chaos across the region
Fire fighting aircraft drop water over a fire near Carros, southeastern France on Monday. A number of fires have been causing chaos across the region