Seine water levels in December

For December 2026 the Seine stands at 13% high water risk at its tightest bridges: moderate. This comes from the live forecast and is updated every morning.

December opens the Seine's flood window: saturated ground, winter storms, and a slow-draining river. What matters is clearance under the bridges, not the riverbed.

Across thirty years of records, December brought high water to the Seine in about 30% of years, 7th calmest of the twelve months. The calmest months here are July and August; the most exposed are March and February.

The last five Decembers, from the official record: 2025 clear · 2024 clear · 2023 8 high water days · 2022 clear · 2021 clear. 2025, 2024, 2022 and 2021 came through December clear; 2023 did not.

On the Seine the risk runs the other way: high water. Too little clearance under the Paris bridges pauses sailings and closes moorings. The river never dries out. It rises.

To turn this into a date-specific answer, use the cruise checker. The wider picture is on the Seine page and in when to go.