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Paris flooding and train service interruption

We will be arriving in Paris 2/9/18. We had planned on taking the RERB to our apartment in the 7th. Unfortunately this involves the St. Michel station which was closed. Does anyone have current information regarding train service interruption? I reviewed a site suggested on this forum however my French is not advanced to the point of reading and compretending the information.

Another option I think would be the TGV to Luxembourg Statio. and then bus to our neighborhood. Appreciate any input.
Thank you

Posted by
20000 posts

Just off the top of my head, I think the St Michel RER B station is unaffected. It is the RER C station at St Michel-Notre Dame, which is along the banks of the Seine that is affected by the flooding. When I ask the RATP to get me from CDG to St Michel-Notre Dame tomorrow, it shows no disruption of service.
Edit - Here is the official announcement.

SEINE FLOOD: INTERRUPTED TRAFFIC ON LINE C OF THE RER BETWEEN JAVEL AND PARIS AUSTERLITZ, AVENUE HENRI MARTIN AND PARIS AUSTERLITZ AND BETWEEN VIROFLAY RIVE GAUCHE AND SAINT-QUENTIN EN YVELINES.
7 stations are closed at least until Friday, February 9th included: Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, Orsay Museum, Invalides, Alma Bridge, Champ de Mars, President Kennedy Avenue, Boulainvilliers.
Traffic is interrupted between Viroflay Rive Gauche and Saint-Quentin en Yvelines until Sunday 04 February included.

Note that the RER C platforms are totally separated from the RER B platforms. In fact, it is a bit of a walk between them.

Posted by
8034 posts

Paris is not flooded. The RER B is not closed. The St. Michel station is not closed. The RER C is not running because its location makes it potentially vulnerable not because it is flooding. The Louvre has moved some art up as a precaution (we all remember what happened to Florence in 66 when a lot of their priceless Renaissance heritage was destroyed by flooding and valuables had not been moved to be saved) but there is also no flooding in the Louvre.

The main effect on tourists is that the Seine Cruises are not running because the boats can't get under the bridges and the concrete banks along the Seine in Paris are flooded; these are not the regular roads or sidewalks.

Posted by
9546 posts

Sam and Janet are both correct. You should be fine on the RER B into St Michel.

Posted by
1 posts

Hi Janie. I just took the RERB home from work last night from the south of Paris to St Michel and got off there. The train was still going further on to CDG. It's completely up and running. A portion of RERC is down that runs along the Seine, however, as it's exposed to the elements (not a tunnel) and runs near normal river level, so easily floodable. RERB runs through a tunnel under the Seine, so ok for now. Enjoy your stay in Paris and be sure to bring some thermal underwear. It's incredibly cold here and looks like possible snow when you arrive on the 9th which will make it even more beautiful! Dee Ann

Posted by
776 posts

The RER B has never been out of service during this current Seine flood event.

Posted by
78 posts

Thank you all for your responses. Coming from Florida the cool temps will be bracing so the tip about the thermals is appreciated. We have been following the weather and temps but hoped it would warm somewhat. We do love the city and will enjoy our trip.

Posted by
8034 posts

I always travel with a set of silk long johns except in the middle of summer; when you are out and about and the weather is chilly they are a perfect extra layer and don't get hot and miserable in the overheated indoors. Right now thought the thermals sound also like a good idea. I live in Chicago and my silks were adequate to make my jeans wearable in the 4F weather this past week. The great thing about silks is that they take up no weight or space so you can throw them in without factoring in the space needs of extra stuff; once made Spain in late April in a cold snap more bearable with my tropical clothes on that trip.

Posted by
3580 posts

Consider taking a taxi from CDG to your apartment. The set price to the left bank is 55 Eu and for two people that may seem reasonable.

Posted by
2466 posts

It's extremely cold in Paris, temperatures are supposed to dip to - 4 C. Bundle up.
For that reason, I'd advise a taxi, which will take you door-to-door.

It has now been snowing for the last 2 nights and most of the weekend. Doesn't look like it will stop, either.
Sure is pretty, though - a veritable white-out.