Pictures of Paris Under the Water Through Amazing Vintage Photographic Postcards in 1910

In late January 1910, following months of high rainfall, the Seine River flooded Paris when water pushed upwards from overflowing sewers and subway tunnels, and seeped into basements through fully saturated soil. The waters did not overflow the river's banks within the city, but flooded Paris through tunnels, sewers, and drains. In neighbouring towns both east and west of the capital, the river rose above its banks and flooded the surrounding terrain directly.

Winter floods were a normal occurrence in Paris, but, on 21 January, the river began to rise more rapidly than normal. Over the course of the following week, thousands of Parisians evacuated their homes as water infiltrated buildings and streets throughout the city shutting down much of Paris' basic infrastructure. Police, fire-fighters, and soldiers moved through waterlogged streets in boats to rescue stranded residents from second story windows and to distribute aid. Refugees gathered in makeshift shelters in churches, schools, and government buildings. Although the water threatened to overflow the tops of the quay walls that line the river, workmen were able to keep the Seine back with hastily built levees.

Out the Window and Into the Boat (1910)

Avenue Montaigne (January 29th, 1910)

The Flooding of the Seine (January-February 1910)

A Gallant Officer (1910)

The fall in level of the Seine 1910. Rue Véron - A work crew creating a "trench" to help the draining of the waters.

A rescue by the firefighters, Rue de la Pépinière (1910)

Collapse of the vault of a sewer

Taking a Taxi Home (1910)

Wading Through the Seine (1910)

The floodings in Paris (January 1910). - The arrival of the boatmen.

Transporting People at the Rue Remusat (January 29th, 1910)

Oh That Wretched Morning (1910)

The floodings of January 1910 - A valiant bread porter.

The Flood of the Seine (January 1910). A removal at the Quai de Passy.