Photo : Neurdein / Roger-Viollet
Exhibition "1910… And suddenly, Paris was underwater"
On the occasion of the Bicentenary of photography, the City of Paris unveils unpublished snapshots of daily life during the exceptional Seine flood of 1910 to Parisians.
Paris 4th
About
"The unleashed waters," headlines the newspaper Le Rappel on January 24, 1910, as the Seine flood reaches record levels, up to 8.62 m on the 28th. Exceptional, the event sparks the curiosity of Parisians but also photographers. Professionals and amateurs, the possession of cameras having spread in this early 20th century, immortalize the flooded streets of Paris and, for some, sell their snapshots to the press or postcard publishers.
Caught in the act or posing, victims, rescue workers, or onlookers bear witness to the scale of the disaster and the outpouring of solidarity it inspired. As for the abundance of snapshots, it testifies to the emergence of a new media system where photography, the bicentenary of which is being celebrated this year, is central.
The City of Paris collections, kept in specialized libraries, at the Paris Archives, and in the Roger-Viollet collection, constitute considerable sources. Accessible to everyone, they allow for a better understanding of the history of Paris but also shed light on the environmental challenges of the present. They also offer valuable material to artists, authors, and directors to nourish their creative work and bring new imaginations to light.
The feature film L’Age d'or, directed by Bérenger Thouin, is part of this approach. Presented at the Cannes Film Festival in May and expected in French cinemas in November, it portrays a woman throughout the 20th century by mixing images shot by the team and actors today with old films from the Gaumont Pathé Archives collection, thus offering us a new look at the 1910 flood.
An exhibition proposed by the History Committee of the City of Paris, the Paris Archives, Roger Viollet, Pyramides Production, GoGoGo Films, and Gaumont Pathé Archives.
Our take on this event
Picture the French capital brought to a standstill by the rising tides of the Seine, transforming streets into waterways. This gripping exhibition showcases rare period photographs that capture the chaos and beauty of the great 1910 flood. Dive into this archival journey to see a side of the City of Light that most people never imagine.
Step back in time to explore the historic 1910 Seine flood with the exhibition "1910… Et soudain, Paris fut sous l'eau". From November 3 to December 15, 2026, this photographic collection showcases rare images captured by professionals and amateurs when water levels reached a record 8.62 m. This free event in the 4th arrondissement highlights the solidarity of Parisians and the rise of photography as a major media tool at the turn of the century. It serves as a unique lens through which visitors can examine the environmental challenges of our present day by revisiting this monumental urban catastrophe.
Curated by the Comité d'histoire de la Ville de Paris alongside the Archives de Paris, Roger-Viollet, and several production partners, this exhibition documents the devastating flood that reshaped the city in 1910. Through a rich selection of archives, visitors can observe how both spontaneous snapshots and professional photos captured the scale of the flood and the immediate response of the public.
The exhibition highlights the emergence of a new media landscape where photography began to play a central role in reporting events. It also connects these historical records to modern artistic creation, featuring insights from Bérenger Thouin's feature film "L'Age d'or", which blends original footage with archival material from Gaumont Pathé to offer a fresh perspective on the 1910 disaster.
The exhibition is open to the public in the 4th arrondissement from November 3, 2026, until December 15, 2026. Admission is completely free, providing an accessible opportunity to learn about Paris's history and its environmental legacy.
