France's history is marked by devastating river floods, with recent storms highlighting the ongoing threat. The Seine's flood in January 1910 transformed Paris into "Venice," with water reaching 8.62 meters on January 28th, submerging underground networks and turning streets into waterways for 35 days. Earlier, in May 1856, the Rhône overflowed its banks by over four meters from Lyon to the Camargue, prompting Napoleon III to allocate 27 million francs for repairs. Simultaneously, the Loire rose seven meters, inundating cities like Blois, Tours, and Angers. In contrast, June 1875 saw a rapid, deadly flood of the Garonne in Toulouse, reaching 8.32 meters, destroying 1200 homes and claiming 208 lives. These events have shaped urban landscapes through preventative measures, yet the destructive power of rising waters remains a persistent challenge.