The River Seine has overflowed its banks in Paris, prompting authorities to close several streets and cancel boat cruises. Paris City Hall closed roads along the shores of the Seine from the east of the capital to the area around the Eiffel Tower in the west as water levels rose at least 3.3 metres (nearly 11 feet) above the normal level.

Latest: Interactive before-and-after photos of floods in Paris as River Seine continues to rise

France floods
The Eiffel Tower is reflected in flood waters covering the banks of the Seine Stephane de Sakutin/AFP
France floods
A man looks at a flooded walkway along the banks of the river Seine Ludovic Marin/AFP
France floods
A stairway leading to a flooded walkway along the Seine, with the Pont des Arts in the background Stephane de Sakutin/AFP
France floods
Notre-Dame cathedral is seen behind the flooded banks of the Seine Stephane de Sakutin/AFP
France floods
A a flooded playground on the banks of the Seine in Paris Stephane de Sakutin/AFP
France floods
A duck investigates a flooded playground on the banks of the Seine river Stephane de Sakutin/AFP

Forecasters say the water is expected to keep rising in the coming days and could finally reach its peak on Friday, at a similar level to that of the major flood in June 2016, when it reached 6.10m, a height it had not exceeded for 30 years. Railway company SNCF said that six Paris train stations alongside the Seine will close for several days starting on Wednesday.

Heavy rain in recent weeks is also causing flooding in eastern France. Homes and businesses in the town of Ornans were inundated when the River Loue rose 70 centimetres (27.5 inches) in less than four hours. Residents living along the Rhine and Doubs rivers have also been warned to prepare for flooding.

France floods
People remove water from a bakery in a flooded street in Ornans, eastern France, after the river Loue burst its banks Sebastien Bozon/AFP
France floods
People cross the main bridge over the river Loue in Ornans, eastern France, after it burst its banks causing flooding in the town Sebastien Bozon/AFP
France floods
The river Loue flows through Ornans, eastern France, after it burst its banks causing flooding in the town Sebastien Bozon/AFP
France floods
A man walks in a flooded street in Ornans, eastern France Sebastien Bozon/AFP
France floods
A man looks at a flooded room in his house in Ornans, eastern France Sebastien Bozon/AFP
France floods
A man looks at a flooded room in his butcher shop in Ornans, eastern France Sebastien Bozon/AFP
France floods
Firefighters pull a water pump in a flooded street in Ornans after the Loue river burst its banks Sebastien Bozon/AFP
France floods
A man rides a bicycle in a flooded street in Ornans after the Loue river burst its banks Sebastien Bozon/AFP

Latest: Interactive before-and-after photos of floods in Paris as River Seine continues to rise

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