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.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: PARIS, FRANCE (FEBRUARY 17, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. RIVER SEINE AND NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL

2. RIVER SEINE FLOWING

3. POSTER READING (French): "DANGER ! HIGH-WATER PERIOD, RESTRICTED ACCESS"

4. PEOPLE WALKING ON RIVER BANKS

5. RIVER POLICE ON BOAT

6. EIFFEL TOWER WITH STATUE

7. STATUE KNOWN AS "LE ZOUAVE DU PONT DE L'ALMA", TRADITIONALLY USED TO SEE HOW HIGH THE RIVER SEINE IS

8. SCULPTED FACE ON BRIDGE WITH WATER FLOWING

9. WEEPING WILLOW WITH BOTTOM OF TRUNK IN WATER

10. PEOPLE CLOSE TO RIVER EDGE

11. VARIOUS OF RIVER BOATS

12. LANGUAGE STUDENT FROM PARIS, THEBISIGAN SIVASUTHAN, LOOKING AT RIVER

13. TREES ON RIVER BANK

14. (SOUNDBITE) (French) 19 YEAR-OLD LANGUAGE STUDENT FROM PARIS, THEBISIGAN SIVASUTHAN, SAYING:

"Well, the Seine. Well, I'd actually come to sit on the Seine riverbank, right where the trees are. But when I saw it was flooded, I was a bit surprised. I wasn't expecting that, and I'm a little disappointed, but I'm just admiring the magnificent view. After all, it's Paris, you know, it's always beautiful even with the occasional flood, even if it rains sometimes.

15. VARIOUS OF RIVER SEINE

16. WATER NEAR STEPS

17. SEINE BANK