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French President Francois Hollande is expected to announce a state of “natural catastrophe” after the Seine river in Paris reached its highest level in 35 years and swathes of the country were flooded.

The Parisian waterway swelled to 1.5ft above average levels overnight after heavy flooding across the country.

More than 17,000 homes were left without power this morning, while attractions including the Louvre and Grand Palais were closed.

Major artworks including the Mona Lisa were being moved yesterday to avoid the rising waters, which have finally started to slowly recede.

But residents of Paris are being warned it could be over a week before the water returns to is normal level.

“We evaluate the situation for all the buildings nearly hour-by-hour," said culture minister Audrey Azouley, speaking to journalists outside the world-famous Louvre yesterday.

Nearly a week of heavy rain has led to serious flooding across a swathe of Europe, leaving 15 people dead and others missing.

Traffic in the French capital ground to a halt as flooding blocked roads and several Paris railway stations shut down.

Basements and homes in the capital's affluent 16th district began to flood on Friday afternoon as the river kept rising, and authorities were preparing possible evacuations in a park and islands on Paris's western edge.

In addition to the Louvre, the Orsay museum, home to a renowned collection of impressionist art on the left bank of the Seine, was also closed on Friday to prepare for possible flooding.

The Louvre said the museum had not taken such precautions in its modern history - since its 1993 renovation at the very least.

Additional reporting by the Press Association