Notre-Dame and the Flooded Seine – Long Exposure Photography in Paris
Fine art long exposure photography: rediscover Notre-Dame de Paris from a dramatic perspective, in the heart of a rare event — the January 2018 Seine flood. Urban lights, moving reflections, and timeless architecture come together in a powerful scene captured from the Pont de la Tournelle.
Notre-Dame de Paris, majestic and timeless, stands at the heart of the French capital, illuminated in a dramatic atmosphere. This image, taken in long exposure from the Pont de la Tournelle, reveals the colorful reflections of urban lights on the flooded Seine, in January 2018.
The winter flood transforms the urban landscape. The high water level covers the riverbanks, erasing familiar landmarks. The mirror effect on the surface of the water gives the scene a deceptively calm feel, highlighting nature’s power in contrast with centuries-old architecture.
The image contrasts artificial light with a heavy, cloud-filled sky in a symmetrical, structured composition. The apse of Notre-Dame, with its spire still intact at the time, appears to float in the darkness, towering over an unusually slow and high Seine.
Streetlights, quay lamps, and car headlights draw glowing lines across the water, enhanced by the long exposure. The bridge and the buildings along the Quai de la Tournelle add depth and ground the image in the real Parisian landscape.
In the background, the stormy sky intensifies the dramatic mood, reminding us of how fragile monuments can be in the face of the elements. This photograph emphasizes the interplay between architectural heritage and exceptional weather events in a Paris both frozen and shifting.
For another perspective on Notre-Dame during the flood, also see this long exposure photo, taken the same day.
Buy a fine art print of this photograph, in a limited edition of 30 copies,
from the online fine art photography gallery Une image pour rêver
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About the author: Sebastien Desnoulez is a fine art photographer specializing in architecture and urban landscapes. He explores contrasts between light, matter, and time, especially through long exposure photography. In his work on Paris, he captures the poetry of a heritage in transformation. Discover more iconic photographs of Paris.
All the photos displayed on this website are copyright protected © Sebastien Desnoulez. No use allowed without written authorization.
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