France and south-west Germany have been hit by heavy rains and flooding in many areas. Just one of many news articles:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/31/cars-buried-amid-severe-floods-in-southwest-germany/
If you are heading to Europe soon you might wnt to pay attention to the recovery efforts, and re-check with your lodging providers.
Judging from the article I read (in German) in Stern, the flooding is particularly bad in Niederbayern, along the Inn, and in Baden-Württemburg, around Schwäbisch Hall.
Lola,
I've been following that on BBC and other news sources, and the devastation in some areas is severe. THIS website shows some of the detail and the town of Braunsbach seems to have suffered some of the worst damage. My thoughts and prayers are with those affected, and hopefully they can recover quickly.
This year has not started out well, in terms of disasters. We've also been having "disaster" problems, albeit of a different nature.
DW World's article maps hard hit areas of southern Bavaria as of 01 June:
http://www.dw.com/en/authorities-on-high-alert-after-heavy-rains-swamp-southern-germany/a-19298573
It's pretty bad in Paris - many museums are closed due to having to move artwork out of underground storage, some underground attractions are inaccessible, some Metro stations closed due to water, no cruises on the Seine...
Lots of disappointed tourists with nothing to do but wander around taking photos of the muddy water from the bridges. The river did crest late last night, but the water is expected to remain at its present level for about a week - and maybe longer, if it starts to rain again. Hopefully, things will getting back to normal after that. The main concern are underground electrical cables which have been inundated and will have to be repaired, and the ventilation systems of the affected Metro and train stations which must be completely dried out before anyone can use them.
In addition, there is a transportation strike involving inter-city trains, RER C, and some portions of RER A.
Despite the strike, train service is running, but on a greatly reduced schedule. Expect major delays, and though your ticket may be used on the next train with no penalty, you won't be assured of a seat.
It's not a good time to plan a trip outside Paris - either by car or train - since many highways in any direction are still under water, and the chateaux in the Loire valley and Fontainebleau are inaccessible due to flooding. Getting to Versailles will be difficult, without RER C.
Thank you for your replies, and this post, this is valuable info!
Things are getting back to normal in Paris, and literally tons of tourists are out and about, though some tourist attractions will remain closed for a few more days.
Check the FaceBook or Twitter pages of the attractions you want to visit, to be certain they will be open.
There is no flood water in the streets - and never has been - and though the level of the Seine has decreased greatly, no river traffic is permitted yet.
The companies which run the "bateaux mouches" are hoping that they will be able to begin the Seine cruises in a week or two - first will come insurance claims and cleanup.
