© Stephane De Sakutin / AFP / Getty ImagesA photo taken on 23 January shows flooded banks of the river Seine, which has overflown after torrential rain has battered Paris
Parisians have been urged to use "extreme caution" after the River Seine burst its banks and water levels rose at least 3.3 metres above the normal level.
Authorities closed several roads near the French's capital's City Hall and cancelled boat cruises as forecasters warned that the water is expected to keep rising in the coming days.
Expected to reach its peak later this week, fears are mounting that it could surpass the water level recorded in 2016, when the worst flooding seen in Paris for decades led to the closure of several monuments and tourist attractions including the Louvre.
Railway company SNCF said that six train stations running alongside the Seine will close for several days.
Tourists express disappointment at some of the closures, but were on the whole understanding about the closures.
"We are disappointed because we thought we were going on a cruise on the Seine," said Costanza Della Cananea, an Italian tourist visiting Paris.
"It was the first time we were going to do it."
Marina Franchi, a visitor from the southern French city of Marseille, regretted not being able to make a dinner cruise.
"It is a part of our heritage. It would have been nice to visit Paris by night on the Seine," she said.
Comment: According to The Local France, 29 departments in various parts of France were place on orange alert by Météo France earlier this week for the risk of flooding, downpours and avalanches.
In eastern France the Doubs and Jura were placed on red alert - the highest level of warning - for dangerous flooding. Météo France advised residents to remain in doors and avoid all unnecessary travel. "If people have to make a journey they must take all necessary precautions and follow any road diversions that have been put in place," Météo France says. The warning is due to the river Loue, which runs through both departments, having burst its banks.
The map below shows the other areas of France on orange - the second highest warning level - for flooding, which include Normandy as well as Paris and the surrounding Île de France region. Swathes of south west and north eastern France were also on flood warnings as downpours continued throughout Monday across much of the country.