Paris on flood alert amid fears over Louvre artworks

Hundreds of people have been ordered from their homes in Paris amid a flood alert as officials prepare to evacuate priceless artworks from the Louvre Museum.

It comes after the River Seine reached more than 18ft on Thursday evening at the Austerlitz bridge in the east of the city and burst its banks.

It was expected to keep rising, reaching 20ft by Saturday – as high as the June 2016 flooding when authorities were forced to close several monuments, including the Louvre Museum.

Hundreds of people have been ordered from their homes in Paris amid a flood alert

Meteo France revealed that exceptionally high levels of rain this winter were to blame for the floods, with rainfall in Paris twice as high as normal

Meteo France revealed that exceptionally high levels of rain this winter were to blame for the floods, with rainfall in Paris twice as high as normal

Paris police said in a statement on Thursday that 395 people have been evacuated protectively from their homes along the banks of the river in the Paris region.

Meteo France revealed that exceptionally high levels of rain this winter were to blame for the floods, with rainfall in Paris twice as high as normal.

In addition to the capital, where the Seine river is expected to keep rising until Saturday, other regions are threatened in the north and east of the country.

Paris police said in a statement on Thursday that 395 people have been evacuated protectively from their homes along the banks of the river in the Paris region 

Paris police said in a statement on Thursday that 395 people have been evacuated protectively from their homes along the banks of the river in the Paris region 

During this month's floods, seven departments in central France have been placed on alert for snow and ice

During this month’s floods, seven departments in central France have been placed on alert for snow and ice

Thirteen departments across France remain on alert for floods as heavy rainfall continues to batter many areas.

During this month’s floods, seven departments in central France have been placed on alert for snow and ice.

The Louvre Museum remains open for now but the lower level of the department of Islamic art has been closed to the public until at least Sunday.

Thirteen departments across France remain on alert for floods as heavy rainfall continues to batter many areas.

Thirteen departments across France remain on alert for floods as heavy rainfall continues to batter many areas.

Two years ago, the Louvre was closed for four days due to flooding and 35,000 artworks were moved to safe zones. This year's floods are pictured 

Two years ago, the Louvre was closed for four days due to flooding and 35,000 artworks were moved to safe zones. This year’s floods are pictured 

Two years ago, the Louvre was closed for four days due to flooding and 35,000 artworks were moved to safe zones.

‘Since then, a large number of reserve collections has been packed to ensure their rapid evacuation in the event of flooding, and staff have also been trained,’ the Louvre said in a statement.

The situation was far less severe than during the 1910 Great Flood, when the Seine water level rose to more than 28ft, forcing many Parisians to evacuate their homes.



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