Flooding in central Paris has swelled the Seine river to a level of 6.0 metres (20 feet) with a peak of up to 6.50 metres expected later, the environment ministry said Friday.

"The high-water level in Paris is expected tonight at around 6.30 metres, perhaps 6.50 metres in a worst-case scenario. I should add that this is more of a plateau than a peak, since this level will remain relatively stable for the whole weekend before receding," the ministry said in a statement.