- Title: Seine river in Paris being closely watched as floods hit southwest France
- Date: 17th February 2026
- Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (FEBRUARY 17, 2026) (REUTERS) RIVER SEINE AND NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL RIVER SEINE FLOWING POSTER READING (French): "DANGER ! HIGH-WATER PERIOD, RESTRICTED ACCESS" PEOPLE WALKING ON RIVER BANKS RIVER POLICE ON BOAT EIFFEL TOWER WITH STATUE STATUE KNOWN AS "LE ZOUAVE DU PONT DE L'ALMA", TRADITIONALLY USED TO SEE HOW HIGH THE RIVER SEINE IS SCULPTED FACE ON BRIDGE
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: Floods River Seine
- Location: PARIS, FRANCE
- City: PARIS, FRANCE
- Country: France
- Topics: Disaster/Accidents,Europe,Floods
- Reuters ID: LVA001617217022026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: EDITORS NOTE: PLEASE SEE FOOTAGE OF FLOODING IN 6166-EUROPE-WEATHER/FRANCE-FLOODS
Several sections of riverbanks along the Seine in Paris were closed to the public on Tuesday (February 17) as water levels rose following recent rainfall.
The Seine, which flows through the heart of the French capital, appeared swollen but had not yet reached the feet of the famous 'Zouave' statue on the Pont de l’Alma, a popular informal gauge for Parisians who traditionally consider the river to be in high-water conditions when the water touches the statue’s feet.
France’s national weather forecaster Meteo France issued a yellow flood warning for Paris, but authorities said levels were expected to recede in the coming days.
Trees along the riverbank stood partially submerged, and water lapped at the lower steps leading to the quays.
Watching from the river’s edge, language student Thebisigan Sivasuthan, 19, said he had hoped to sit along the bank but was surprised by the flooding.
“I wasn’t expecting that, and I’m a little disappointed, but I’m just admiring the magnificent view,” he said.
(Production: Lucien Libert) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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