The Seine River is Paris’ most stunning avenue and one of many primary causes to go to Paris. The River Seine in Paris winds its means by means of the guts of town, bisecting it from east to west. One of the crucial well-known French Rivers, the Seine River, is the origin of Paris, and town’s growth is uniquely tied to the River.
A stroll alongside the Seine River banks on a sunny day is a surprise: majestic historic buildings mirrored on its waters, the typical Parisian rooftops, the Seine bridges, each with a singular fashion . . . But in addition the enduring bouquinistes, improvised picnics by locals dangling their ft over the water, and even a loopy seaside space in the summertime!
At sundown, take a Seine night time cruise to benefit from the Metropolis’s high monuments’ nocturnal revival: magical environment assured.
Right here’s all concerning the Seine River in Paris, from its geography and issues to do alongside the River banks to some curious details concerning the River Seine.
Origin of the River Seine
The River Seine is totally related to Paris, however its origin is way from town! The Seine River has its supply at Supply-Seine, in Burgundy, about forty kilometers from Dijon. In 1865, a synthetic cave was constructed by architects Victor Baltard, Gabriel Davioud, and Combaz. Since 1866, the statue of a nymph symbolizing the River has lived on this cave.
The positioning is thought specifically for the stays of the Gallo-Roman sanctuary devoted to the goddess Sequana, from who the Seine River took its title.
The temple is at the moment buried. Nevertheless, the excavation campaigns from 1963 to 1967 have made it attainable to seek out the sacred channeled spring and two basins meant for the ablutions of the pilgrims coming to the sanctuary to deposit their ex-votos there. The objects discovered on the location are displayed within the Archaeological Museum of Dijon.
Seine River Itinerary
Lengthy 777 kilometers, the well-known river in Paris is the second longest river in France. On the supply, the Seine is a small stream. Then, it crosses fourteen departments, meandering by means of valleys and meadows: Côte d’Or, Aube, Marne, Seine-et-Marne, Paris, Yvelines, Essonne, Val-d’Oise, Hauts-de-Seine, Val-de-Marne, Seine-Saint-Denis, Eure, Seine-Maritime, and Calvados.
On the best way, the Seine River grows due to its many tributaries, such because the Oise, the Aube, and the Marne, to regularly turn out to be the substantial river that we all know.
The part of the River that bisects Paris is sort of brief: solely 13 km. Within the French Capital, the most important level is 200m, close to Pont de la Grenelle, and the narrowest level is 30m, at Quai de Montebello.
After Paris, the Seine River additionally baths stunning cities and cities like Auvers-sur-Oise, Les Andelys, and Rouen. Lastly, the Seine flows into the English Channel at Le Havre (and Honfleur on the left financial institution).
The River Seine in Paris:
- How lengthy is the Seine River in Paris? 13km
- How vast is the Seine River in Paris? From 30m to 200m
- How deep is the River Seine in Paris? From 3m to 6m
Rive Droite v Rive Gauche
In Paris, you’ll usually hear about Paris Rive Gauche and Paris Rive Droite, the 2 Seine River banks: when going through downstream, the northern financial institution is to the appropriate, and the southern financial institution is to the left.
Traditionally, the Rive Droite, or Proper Financial institution of the Seine, was the synonym of class and class, whereas the Rive Gauche, or Left Financial institution of the Seine, was the bohemian Paris.
Issues to Do on the Seine River, Paris
Listed below are the primary Seine River points of interest and the perfect issues to do alongside Paris’ most stunning avenue!
1. Watch the Dawn on the Seine
For the early risers, head right down to the SeineRiver simply earlier than daybreak and be rewarded with a spectacular dawn over Paris. The most effective spots to look at the dawn over the Seine River is from the attractive Pont Alexandre III, the place you’ll have the most effective views of the Eiffel Tower.
2. Take a Seine River Stroll
With 2.3 kilometers of car-free walkways proper alongside the Seine, from the Musée d’Orsay to the Pont de l’Alma, Les Berges de la Seine (Seine River banks) is without doubt one of the finest locations for a stroll in Paris. It’s also one of many favourite night locales, providing a few of the finest views of Paris.
Admire the gorgeous Seine River bridges, from the enduring Pont Neuf (the oldest one, regardless of its title) to the Pont des Arts or the magnificent Pont Alexandre iii.
The part near the magnificent Pont Alexandre iii, specifically, is bustling with outside terraces and barge bars, excellent for an after-work apéritif with buddies or a romantic soirée.
Les Berges de la Seine has been listed as UNESCO World Heritage since 1991.
3. Browse the Bouquinistes’ Stalls alongside the Seine
As you stroll alongside the Seine River, you may’t miss the quite a few bouquinistes stalls. These stalls promote varied gadgets, akin to second-hand books, magazines, and paintings. That is the proper place for vacationers to return and buy just a few souvenirs.
The custom of promoting used books alongside the Seine began within the sixteenth century and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.
4. Go to the Islands within the Seine River
Paris has three islands: Ile de la Cité, Ile Saint-Louis, and Ile aux Cygnes.
Ile de la Cité occupies a part of Paris 1 and Paris 4. It is without doubt one of the first settlements of Lutetia – Roman Paris. Later, Ile Saint Louis was the guts of the Civil and Non secular energy in Medieval Paris and hosts high vacationer points of interest like Notre Dame Cathedral, the Saine-Chapelle, and the Conciergerie.
Ile Saint Louis dates from the XVIIth century and occupies a part of Paris 4. Ile Saint-Louis has no nice monuments, however it’s extremely charming and a must-see for each first journey to Paris.
Ile-aux-Cygnes is positioned between Paris 15 and Paris 16, and it was constructed within the XIXth century as a warehouse for the Port de Grenelle. Right now, it’s a charming place for a promenade and hosts one of many Statues of Liberty in Paris, inaugurated for the anniversary of American Independence in 1889. At the moment, it turned its again on america, and it was not till 1937, when the island hosted the middle of the colonies of the Common Exhibition, that the statue discovered its present orientation, going through west.
5. Take a Seine River Cruise
Crusing the Seine River is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Paris, and you’ll find totally different Seine River Cruises to select from. You can even mix a river cruise with just a few drinks, lunch, or a dinner cruise for one thing additional particular.
When you want to see all of the Paris metropolis lights on a Seine River night time cruise, take a look at the sundown instances in Paris throughout your go to (spoiler: fairly late throughout summer time in Paris)
6. Lease a Boat and Craft your Seine Boat Tour
Why observe the vacationer crowds should you can craft your individual Paris Seine boat tour? Lease a ship in Paris and plan a time out admiring town from the water or partying with your pals.
On condition that Paris is a very talked-about vacation vacation spot, there are many boats out there to lease. Have in mind, nonetheless, that throughout the excessive season in the summertime, there are numerous vacationers within the metropolis, so we advocate reserving properly prematurely to seek out the proper boat for you.
To drive a ship in Paris, it’s essential to have a coastal license if the motorboat has greater than 6 horsepower. Furthermore, a license extension can be required to drive on rivers (fluvial). When you don’t have the required paperwork, lease a ship with a skipper.
7. Admire the Most Iconic Landmarks of Paris
Alongside the Seine River, you’ll find a few of the most iconic landmarks of Paris, akin to Notre Dame Cathedral, the Egyptian Obelisk, the Grand Palais, the Tour Eiffel, Les Invalides, and extra.
A good suggestion to go to these to leap on a Batobus, a type of hop-on-hop-off Seine River cruise with totally different stops alongside the River. Batobus tickets are legitimate for the day, so you may cease once you please and hop on the boat once more after the go to.
8. Seaside Time at Paris Plage!
Each summer time in Paris since 2002, the Seine River banks and the banks of the Bassin de la Villette are invaded by colourful umbrellas, deckchairs, and seaside stands. These synthetic seashores in Paris – often called Paris Plages (Paris Seaside) – are the proper place to hold round with household and buddies or drink rosé wine beneath the solar.
This occasion normally takes place from the second week of July to the top of August. For the precise dates, take a look at our fast guides to Paris in July or Paris in August.
9. Go to the Musée des Egouts
One of many metropolis’s hidden gems, the Paris Sewer Museum, particulars alongside 500 m of their tunnels the historical past of consuming water in Paris and the sewer system in Paris, from the previous Roman metropolis of Lutetia to its present installations. The historical past of the sewers is defined in a really pedagogical means, all in parallel with the historical past of Paris.
The museum additionally particulars sewer employees’ function and water remedy strategies.
10. Dance Tango by the River Seine in Paris
One of the crucial romantic locations in Paris is the stretch alongside the Seine’Seine’sin the fifth Arrondissement, primarily due to the attractive views of the south aspect of Ile Saint Louis and Notre Dame. Drift a bit additional east alongside the river, and you’ll come to an improvised dance flooring with the rhythms of Argentinean tangos.
Spend an pleasing night dancing (or simply watching) some passionate tangos by the River Seine earlier than a romantic meal someplace within the Latin Quarter.
Curious Details concerning the Seine River in Paris
Right here’s the listing of essentially the most curious details concerning the Seine River, from quirky findings to massive catches and an imposing river watcher.
The Seine River will not be the one River in Paris
La Bièvre, or Bièvre River, is the second river operating by means of Paris. The Bièvre River flows by means of the present districts of Paris 13 and Paris 5, even when we can not see it! Learn the fascinating historical past of this Paris river and all of the plans to carry it again to the floor.
The Sources of the Seine River are the Property of Paris
Even when the sources of the Seine River are in Burgundy, the French capital has owned the location since 1864. Nevertheless, the Metropolis of Paris appears to have misplaced curiosity, and the plot ought to return to the Burgundy area, which needs to boost the location and its historic ruins.
Technically, Paris is bisected by the Yonne River (not the Seine River)
In line with hydrographic guidelines, the Yonne is the river operating by means of Paris. Theoretically, when two rivers meet at their level of confluence, the one with essentially the most important circulate wins: the smaller is then thought-about to be the tributary of the bigger.
The purpose of confluence of the Yonne and the Seine Rivers is the village of Montereau-Fault-Yonne, within the Seine-et-Marne division, and it’s evident within the image: right here, the Yonne River has a mean circulate of 93 m3/second, towards 80 m3/second for the Seine River.
Subsequently, the Seine River flows into the Yonne, and never the opposite means round!
Why do we are saying the Seine is the river operating by means of Paris? In line with essentially the most generally accepted model, it will merely be a narrative of affect relationship from the Gallic period: the clergymen and druids of the sources of the Seine have been extra highly effective, in order that they imposed the thought of the prevalence of their river!
An Imposing Character Watches over the River Floods
The Alma Bridge (1854-56), inaugurated by Napoleon III to commemorate the victory towards the Russians in Crimea (1854), has 4 sculptures representing the 4 sorts of troopers who participated on this warfare. The Zouave (French soldier from the North African armies) is the one unique statue nonetheless as an alternative and has the unhappy activity of measuring the Seine’s floods.
This isn’t an official measurement system; it’s principally a sentimental factor for Parisians. The entry to the footpaths alongside the river quays is normally closed when the Seine’s degree reaches the ft of the Zouave. When the water hits his thighs, the River will not be navigable. Through the nice flood of the Seine (1910), the extent reached his shoulders (+8.62m).
Strangest Issues Found within the River Seine in Paris
Sometimes, some severely unusual issues seem floating on the Seine River. This is without doubt one of the most curious Seine River details, and here’s a listing of a few of the craziest findings:
- A Nile crocodile hanging out within the sewers across the Seine
- A snapping turtle from North America was discovered floating down the Seine, most likely deserted by its proprietor
- A large python snake, weighing 40kg and spanning 3m lengthy! The snake had no head when it was thrown into the River
Different random objects discovered within the Seine River: a Viking sword, weapons, scooters, wheelchairs, purchasing carts, a child stroller, a tub, a washer…
Are you able to Fish within the Seine River in Paris?
The shores of the French capital are stuffed with fish. The standard of the water improved within the 2000s. Twenty-five years earlier, consuming the product of its fishing was not really useful. Now it’s attainable. Catfish, pike, and carp are the commonest species in Paris and its shut suburbs. The 2 largest catches recorded up to now are a 90 kg catfish and a 118 cm pike.
A brand new, youthful era of fishers is taking on the Seine River banks, reworking a centuries-old custom into an underground l’Ourcq. Through the official fishing season from Could to January, younger fishers meet at sure spots — close to barges stretching for miles alongside the river and beneath which fish shelter, or by the Canal Saint-Martin or Canal de l’Ourcq, the place the water is calmer and hotter than within the Seine.
The fishing federation of the Parisian area has 8,500 members, all of whom purchase an annual license for about 105€ (a number of choices with totally different costs). It’s also attainable to buy a each day license for 12€. You will get your fishing card at Decathlon Paris 19, 203 Boulevard Macdonald.
Are you able to Swim within the Seine River in Paris?
The Seine River in Paris will host some competitions of the Summer time Olympics 2024: open water swimming, marathon swimming, and triathlon. After the Olympics, the Metropolis will outline three areas for swimming within the Seine River in 2025.
All of the water indicators are already grZouave’sthis summer time’s take a look at occasions: the open water swimming marathon (5 to six August 2023) and the triathlon and para-triathlon (17 to twenty August 2023) organized by Paris 2024 beneath the Alexandre III Bridge.
Seine River Paris: Odds & Ends
- 777km whole size, 13km by means of Paris
- 30 m to 200 m giant; 3 m to six m deep
- 3 river islands
- 245 bouginistes alongside the Seine River banks
- 1991 – UNESCO lists the Berges de la Seine as World Heritage
- 2002 – First yr of Paris Plages
- 1910 – final centennial flood. The water degree was 8,62 m (on the top of the Zouave’s shoulders)
- 12 transportation strains cross the Seine in Paris. 9 strains are underground
- 37 bridges over the Seine in Paris and 4 footbridges
- 5 fish species recognized in 1960; 25 fish species recognized at the moment
- 2,30 m and 90 kg for the most important fish fished in Paris (catfish)
