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The Seine River not only captures our current imaginations: it has
mesmerized and seduced since pre-medieval times. Neatly dividing the
city of Paris into left and right banks (rive gauche and rive droite),
the river has served as a source of sustenance, commerce, and
breathtaking perspectives since a Celtic tribe of fishermen known as the
Parisii decided to settle between its banks, on the tiny strip of land today referred to as the Ile de La Cité, in the 3rd century B.C.
That early settlement, later named Lutetia
by the Romans, was to eventually grow into the sprawling metropolis we
know and revere today. But it's easy enough to forget that the Seine,
now mostly regarded as a source for picturesque photo ops and providing a
route for a constant stream of sightseeing cruises, was the lifeblood
of the population and one of the main reasons early settlers were drawn
to the area to begin with.
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Since 1991, the Seine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protected as an important natural and cultural artifact.
A Few Facts About the River:
- The river runs for 776 km (482 miles) through France and into the English Channel at Le Havre and Honfleur (Belgium). Its source is in the French region of Burgundy, and its mouth is the English Channel.
- In Paris, the banks of the Seine are connected by a total of 37 bridges, including the Pont de l'Alma near the Eiffel Tower, the Pont des Arts, and the Pont Neuf.
- The river's name originates in the latin word, "sequana", which some believe relates to a Gaelic name that would have been attributed by the earliest Celtic settlers. There is no consensus on the etymology, however.
Touring and Enjoying the Seine: Top Things to Do
Most
of you visiting Paris will want to visit and explore the banks of the
Seine during your trip: it's one of the reasons it figures prominently
in our guide to the top tourist attractions in Paris. We especially recommend:
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1. Take a boat tour. Particularly on a first trip to the city, a sightseeing boat tour of the Seine
will give you the opportunity to take in several important monuments
and places in the city while sitting back and enjoying the ride. From Notre Dame Cathedral to the Palais de Justice and the Louvre Museum,
gently floating on the river affords a particularly relaxing and gentle
first experience of the city-- and can also be a great way for visitors
with limited mobility to take in some of Paris's most iconic places.
2. Pack a picnic. The banks of the Seine provide a wonderful setting for a relaxed Parisian picnic,
particularly in the spring and summer months. So stock up on some
baguettes, cheese, and fruit and sprawl out on the riverbanks. Dusk is a
particularly wonderful time to admire the subtly changing colors of the
sky, and the glint of the water as boats creep by...
Stock up on picnic goodies:
- Best Bakeries in Paris
- Gourmet Food Shops and Supermarkets in Paris
3. Take a romantic or contemplative stroll. The riverbanks naturally offer some of the most romantic vantages for a stroll with someone special-- stop off at the Pont des Arts
to add a "lovelock" to add to the collection of metal locks left there
as romantic mementoes by thousands of other couples. The banks are also a
great place for that solitary walk to help you think through a complex
problem or project. I recommend starting near Hotel de Ville, crossing
over a bridge into the Ile de la Cite, and ambling east to west on the
right and left banks (I suggest ambling in whichever direction draws
you).
4. Browse books, posters and memorabilia at the old booksellers. Almost anyone would recognize the green metallic stalls of the old Paris Seine-side booksellers (bouquinistes),
which have appeared in countless films and photos of the city. Whether
you actually want to find an old, charming edition of your favorite book
or just want to browse, it's a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon
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Once you've explored the Seine, consider booking a tour of Parisian canals and waterways:
the former might be the most famous body of water in Paris, but it's
certainly not the only one. You can even book a day trip to tour the
beautiful banks of the Marne River by boat-- something most tourists
never think to do.
