If you think the cold weather is cause for complaint, and the snow’s pretty but starting to get on your nerves, imagine Paris 100 years ago, flooded like you wouldn’t believe. This new exhibition shows some amazing photos and films from the time…

We shouldn’t keep moaning about the current harsh weather. Imagine Paris underwater, boats in the streets, the Seine high enough to almost flow over its bridges. Well, it actually happened, back in January 1910. One in four building were flooded, 150,000 were hit, 200,000 more from the suburbs (also hard hit) rushed to the city to find shelter.

The exhibition explains why the water rose so far and so quickly, shows the solidarity that the inhabitants of the city showed each other, and documents the long clean up job that followed to avoid a subsequent epidemic, as well as the extensive repairs that were needed. You’ll see 200 images taken from four important collections, as well as two rare films of the huge flood.

Another exhibiton on the same topic is also on offer in the city: La grande crue de 1910. Et aujourd’hui ? (The great flood of 1910. And what about today?) at the Pavillon de l’eau in the 16th arrondissement. It concentrates on explaining the measures taken by the city to avoid a similar catastrophe in the future.

The exhibition Paris inondé 1910 is at the Galerie des bibliothèques (here) from 8th January – 28th March 2010. Open every day except Mondays from 1 – 7pm (late night opening on Thursdays until 9pm). Admission 4€ / 2€

The exhibition la grande crue de 1910. Et aujourd’hui ? is at the Pavillon de l’eau (here) from 20th January – 17th April 2010. Open weekdays from 10am – 6pm and Saturdays from 11am – 7pm. Admission free!