The Seine never stops rising in Paris. This Saturday, while abnormally high heat will affect the capital, the river's flood should reach its peak and "the level of 4.30 m will probably be exceeded on the scale of the Austerlitz bridge", reports Voie navigable de France (VNF) in a press release.
The first to be impacted by these floods, boatmen and “waterway users” are subject to several navigation restrictions this weekend. In particular, they are prohibited - for boats over 110 m - from carrying out "tacking maneuvers" downstream of the Grenelle bridge. Furthermore, navigation is prohibited between the Grenelle bridge and downstream from the entrance to the port of Arsenal.
Read alsoParis trains representatives in the event of a flood of the Seine: “The better we are prepared, the less afraid we are”
Outside this sector, specifies VNF, drivers are invited to take “very rigorous precautions”, in particular because of the “constant variations in the regime of the river” and the presence of numerous bridges, some of which offer a limited gauge.
It is also this delicate passage of bridges which forced the organization of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games to postpone the big rehearsal which was scheduled for Monday April 8. The level of the Seine would in fact prevent the largest boats from passing at normal speed under the bridges. “The current is too strong and too different from the conditions we will have next summer,” a cruise passenger explained to Le Parisien. We don't sail in the same way depending on the current. »
Cancellations and modifications in chaos
While waiting for the flood to recede, the high level of the Seine is beginning to significantly disrupt the progress of events organized in the capital. This is particularly the case for the Paris marathon, scheduled for this Sunday, whose route had to be slightly modified.
“From the Henri-IV tunnel to the Tuileries tunnel, which has become inaccessible, competitors will pass on the high platforms instead of the low platforms,” the organization said in a press release from Friday. The new route will not differ from the route initially planned. »
News which, however, delighted many participants. The sector and its succession of slight climbs is in fact feared every year by athletes. “Maybe I will finish without cramps for once,” smiles Pascal, ready to take on the 42.195 km this Sunday.
On Friday, the Nouvelle Seine, a theater restaurant located on a barge opposite Notre-Dame Cathedral, on the quay of Montebello (Ve), for its part announced the cancellation of its shows scheduled for April 5, 6 and 7. Again due to the river level being too high. “The barge is completely inaccessible because of the water on the docks. I’m crossing my fingers that we can maintain our performance on Tuesday evening,” said Jessie Varin, the artistic director.
As for road traffic, the Georges-Pompidou road, which runs along the Parisian river, has been closed to traffic since Friday morning between Boulogne-Billancourt (Hauts-de-Seine) and into the 16th arrondissement.