On 21 January 1910, heavy rainfall throughout France caused flooding across the country, with the Paris region being one of the most affected. In Paris, the Seine broke its banks and caused significant damage. On 28 January, the water levels under the Austerlitz bridge rose to 8.62 metres and, on the Alma bridge, the statue of the zouave soldier, which was a popular means for Parisians to measure water levels, was submerged up to its neck.

Our branches felt the full force of the flooding. In Paris, some of them suffered significant damage, primarily in the strong rooms, which were at basement level. Emergency evacuations and removals were carried out. The Faubourg Saint-Honoré branch managed to save the contents of all its strongboxes but the branch on boulevard Saint-Germain was not as fortunate: despite the presence of three pumps, 60 compartments were flooded. The branch on rue de Lyon was under two metres of water, resulting in the loss of its furniture and fittings and requiring the complete renovation of the offices.

Faced with these events, the Group’s employees took action and organised operations to build barriers and pump water in a bid to save the most valuable items and documents. At the head office, the securities under custody remained out of the water’s reach, but only just. After the flood, the management decided to transfer the central custody service to a safer place. As of 1911, it moved to the Trocadero building where the securities were kept in a tower with thick concrete walls.

In the suburbs bordering Paris, the Levallois, Clichy, Asnières, Ivry and Vitry branches were all flooded, with their services transferred to neighbouring branches.

The floodwaters started withdrawing in mid-February. The Board of Directors decided to offer a bonus to employees involved in salvage operations. In addition, 50,000 francs were allocated for special loans to employees who had lost the most in the flood.

The 1910 flood has gone down in history. After it was over, 3000 postcards were printed to illustrate the events. The Group’s Historical Archives division is in possession of several of them featuring our branches, and which reflect the full extent of the flooding.