Flooding in the French capital has choked roads and closed stations.

Aerial footage of the Paris region shows communities inundated by the high water levels.

French troops were deployed on the streets of the Parisian suburb of Villeneuve Saint Georges after days of flooding and heavy rains. French President Francois Hollande said a "natural disaster" will be formally declared next week for the worst affected areas.

Environment officials said the River Seine would reach its maximum level later in the day, as rainfall across the country begins to taper off.