PARIS — The death toll from the flooding in France has risen to four, officials said Saturday, as the water level of the Seine River in Paris slowly started to decrease after reaching its peak overnight.

Nearly a week of heavy rain also led to serious flooding across Germany, Romania and Belgium. The death toll across all of Europe from the flooding now stands at 17.

Authorities warned it could take up to 10 days for the Seine to return to normal after swelling to its highest level in nearly 35 years, about 15 feet above average.

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the water level of the Seine is now decreasing ‘‘slowly but steadily’’ in Paris and that several ministerial meetings will be held next week to ensure quick financial help to the people affected.

He urged Paris visitors and residents to ‘‘take care to observe safety precautions’’ since many have been walking along the river banks to observe the rare phenomena.

French energy company Enedis said over 17,000 homes were still without electricity Saturday in the Paris region and central France.

Authorities have shut the Louvre museum, the national library, the Orsay museum, and the Grand Palais, Paris’ striking glass-and-steel topped exhibition center.

Several railway and subway stations shut down in Paris city center and drivers experienced traffic problems in and around the French capital because of flooded roads.