The river Seine peaked about 4m above its normal level in Paris this morning, with rising waters, which have forced hundreds from their homes around the capital, now threatening towns downstream.
Experts said the level in Rouen could surpass that of 2016, the year that brought the worst floods in recent memory.
In Paris, the Seine reached 5.84m, compared with 6.10m in 2016 and 8.62m in 1910, which is the highest since records begun. The river is expected to start going down in the capital tomorrow, but officials gave warning that it could take weeks for the floodwaters to dissipate.
About 1,500 people have been evacuated from their homes in the Paris region because of the flooding and a similar number are without electricity.
The RER C commuter train line that runs close to the Seine has been closed until February 5, and the Louvre’s department housing Islamic artworks remains shut to the public.
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Many residents have been told that they will be unable to return to their homes for at least a month.
Jérôme Goellner, director of the Regional Department for the Environment and Energy, said: “If we are talking about a complete return to normal conditions, then you’d better count in weeks.”