The 1910 flood of Paris was so bad, this is how people resorted to getting around town. While the flooding we are seeing right now in Paris isn't quiet (yet) this serious, this week has not been a good one for the banks of the Seine. After days of torrential rain, the river is now five meters (16 feet) above normal levels, and it's expected to rain again this weekend. Other regions in France and Germany are hit much harder, but combined with transportation strikes this week (of course), it is not a pleasant time to be in Paris. Interestingly, the city actually held a full-scale flood drill in March to prepare for the possibility of a "centennial flood", which refers not to the frequency of this type of flooding but rather to the fact that every year there is a 1 in 100 chance of a monster flood like the one in 1910. Who knew. I bet the city authorities are counting their lucky étoiles for getting the timing of that drill spot on the money.
A close neighbor of the Seine, the Louvre museum will be closed tomorrow (Friday), and they are starting to move artwork from vulnerable areas to higher ground. The Musée d'Orsay will close early. The RER C train shut down starting this afternoon, which is incidentally is the line we can take home if all else fails with the bus system (as in the case of a transport strike, like today). Here are a few more photos from the walk home from work today:
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AuthorBecause why not get married and move to Paris to really kick off your thirties? Archives
December 2016
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