French authorities welcomed 200 refugees from Syria and Iraq on Wednesday, the first of around 1,000 who are expected to travel to France from Germany over the next three days.

The images below show some 93 Syrian, Eritrean and Iraqi migrants arriving from Germany in Champagne-sur-Seine, to the south east of Paris, before temporarily settling at the Armade student residence. 

They were met by members of the French Red Cross who will provide food and care before they are relocated.

The president of the French Red Cross Jean-Jacques Eledjam said they would be found lodging around the area within the next 48 hours, whether studio flats or three bedroom apartments.

“It will be relatively comfortable given the difficulties they have encountered,” he said.

“The refugees will also be given support so they can gain refugee status within two to four months.”

“
(Journalists film some of the ninety-three Syrian, Eritrean and Iraqi migrants coming from Germany. Photo: AFP)

(A room is prepared for the arrival of around 90 refugees. Photo: AFP)

Refugees looked happy and relieved on their arrival with some saying they were tired but happy.

“In Iraq, life is dangerous, so we want to begin a new life here,” one refugee named Oussama told Le Point news site after arriving in Champagne-sur-Seine.

“At first we wanted to go to Belgium, but when we arrived in Germany they told us France was willing to take us, so we came here.”

Over the coming days around 1,000 refugees will be taken in by France in total, a move aimed to relieve some of the pressure on Germany where thousands have arrived from Austria and Hungary in recent days.

(Some of the ninety-three Syrian, Eritrean and Iraqi refugees are seen here waiting before being directed to their rooms. Photo: AFP)

(Refugees queue for refreshments in a tent of the French Red Cross. Photo: AFP)