A tornado filmed from Verzeille, near Pomas in southern France, swept through the area on Monday.
The footage shows the funnel forming beneath dark storm clouds before moving across the village.
The storm damaged about 300 homes and injured 39 people, according to local authorities. Two of the injured were in a critical condition. Rescue teams searched damaged buildings, while emergency centres opened to accommodate residents whose homes were unsafe.
The Aude region was under a thunderstorm alert when the tornado struck. Roofs were torn off, trees were damaged and debris was scattered across the affected villages. No people were reported missing.