Loire Floods: Maine-et-Loire Hit by Exceptional Flooding in February 2026

The Loire Valley, a region renowned for its majestic châteaux and picturesque landscapes, recently faced significant flooding in February 2026. This event, exacerbated by persistent rainfall and the storm Nils, led to evacuations and disruptions, highlighting the increasing vulnerability of the region to extreme weather events.

On February 11th, the city of Saumur prohibited parking along the Loire riverbanks as the Thouet river began to overflow, inundating nearby football fields. Roads in the Angevin lowlands, including those in Briollay and Juigné-sur-Loire, were closed due to flooding.

Residents in Béhuard, accustomed to the Loire’s fluctuations, prepared for rising waters, with the mayor noting that significant flooding only begins when one needs boots or waders.

On February 14th, concerns escalated when a section of the levee between Les Ponts-de-Cé, Mûrs-Erigné, and Saint-Jean-de-la-Croix collapsed under the water pressure. Authorities advised the 400 residents in the area to evacuate, though many chose to remain. The Pierre et Lumières troglodyte museum in Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent was flooded by rising groundwater.

In Angers, residents of newer buildings along the Maine river experienced flooded basements and inoperable elevators. The arches of the old Pont de Verdun were threatened, leading to the closure of the bridge to vehicular traffic and suspension of the nearby tram service.

To mitigate the pressure on the tunnel walls, the departmental council released water onto the riverbanks, a tactic not employed since the major flood of 1995. The situation drew media attention, with some referring to a “tourism of the flood” as observers flocked to the area.

On February 18th, the situation worsened with the arrival of storm Pedro, prompting Maine-et-Loire to be placed on red alert. Access to the hospital center in Angers was restricted, and train service between Angers and Nantes was disrupted. Over forty roads were closed.

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In Cheffes-sur-Sarthe, residents were ordered to evacuate as the floodwaters rose. Despite warnings, some residents chose to stay, while others sought safety. The village was entirely submerged.

A kayaker was rescued by bystanders in Rochefort-sur-Loire, while a 53-year-old man was lost after his canoe capsized near Chalonnes-sur-Loire, his body remaining unrecovered. Hardware stores experienced a surge in demand for sandbags and pumps as residents attempted to protect their properties.

Did you understand? The Loire Valley experiences seasonal fluctuations in water levels, but the February 2026 floods were described as exceptional, surpassing levels not seen since 1995.

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Geographer Magali Reghezza-Zitt notes that climate change is intensifying precipitation, leading to more frequent and intense extreme weather events.