Joanna Leggett explores the fascinating historical past of the river Seine and a few of its most magical ports of name…
The River Seine is France’s second largest river, from Supply-Seine to Le Havre is 780 kms and, with its tributaries, it drains an space of just about 79,000 sq. kilometres. And, in fact, it flows by way of the Île-de France, the nation’s heartland and main metropolitan area. A lot of the river is navigable, for the tidal part of the Seine Maritime is adopted by a canalised part the place locks raise river boats as much as the extent of the river in Paris, after which it continues in the direction of Champagne and Burgundy.
River Seine in artwork
The Seine has lengthy had followers – the Impressionists painted it time and time once more. Impressionism was born from a portray of Le Havre harbour by Monet which he named ‘Impression, Dawn’ in 1874. The listing of names is nearly a roll name of among the best on this planet, from earlier works by JMW Turner to Van Gogh, Renoir, Sisley, Monet, Manet and, in fact, Renoir then there have been the Publish Impressionists from Boudin to Matisse. They portrayed altering seasons, river and port actions, Seine-side pastimes and locations the place artists stayed or typically somebody simply rowing alongside the river (as magically captured by Caillebotte) whereas completely attired in prime hat, cravat, waistcoat and striped shirt! Then there may be Seurat’s ‘Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte’ set on an island within the Seine with everybody formally attired with hats, parasols with attire boasting some very spectacular bustles.
The beginning of the River Seine
The Seine really rises an extended, great distance southeast of Paris (it takes an excellent three hours flat out on motorways simply to get there) within the commune of Supply-Seine northwest of Dijon. The spring right here is only a trickle, nevertheless there may be a synthetic grotto which features a statue of a nymph, canine and naturally for good measure a dragon! Apparently on the identical website are the buried stays of a Gallo-Roman temple (in fact the Romans had been right here first!) whereas small statues of the ‘Seine Goddess’ and different votive choices discovered right here at the moment are housed within the museum at Dijon. The identify of the river really comes from the Latin Sëquana, who was goddess of the river.
The route of the Seine
As its path meanders seawards, it leaves the area of Burgundy and enters Champagne above Troyes whereas different rivers be part of alongside the best way, maybe essentially the most well-known of those the Marne which joins simply because it enters Paris!
Troyes is a pleasant medieval city awash with half-timbered buildings, the center of the town coincidentally has the attribute form of a Champagne cork. Right here there are slender streets, grand sixteenth century mansions and exquisite church buildings.
From right here the river winds onwards, previous woods round Fontainebleau till it reaches Paris. Dividing the town in two, in actual fact it borders 10 of Paris’ 20 arrondissements and is the town’s chief industrial waterway. Persons are both on its Left or Proper Financial institution. There are 32 bridges in Paris – the oldest being the Pont Neuf. One other fashionable bridge is the pedestrian Pont des Arts which was as soon as smothered with locks hooked up by trysting lovers – by 2014 these had acquired so heavy a part of the parapet collapsed so now lovers must take a selfie as an alternative, although it’s mentioned when you kiss somebody as you sail beneath the Pont Neuf – you’re sure to return to Paris! There are floating eating places, discos, costly cafés and all types of fantastic locations to discover alongside the banks in Paris.
From Paris the river runs seawards in nice loops by way of Normandy, previous châteaux and Giverny the place Claude Monet lived and gardened. Onwards it flows by way of a collection of locks to the center of Normandy and its capital, Rouen (examine Rouen right here in The Good Life France Journal). It was right here Joan of Arc met her unhappy finish, and it’s mentioned that what was left of her ashes had been tipped into the Seine.
The river passes by way of the traditional and really charming city of Honfleur. Seated at a café with a glass of pommeau (the apple-based apéro conventional to Normandy) beside the Vieux-Bassin lined with historical townhouses watching the solar set, is a type of memorable moments that stick with you endlessly.
Then it flows beneath the Pont de Normandie in Le Havre, one of many longest cable-stayed bridges the world, excessive and extensive sufficient to permit ocean going vessels to go beneath to journey onwards. By this time the Seine has grow to be a large, mighty confluence and right here it empties out into the Channel, it’s journey ended.
Joanna Leggett is advertising director at Leggett Immobilier – you may view their full portfolio of properties on the market in all of the areas talked about in addition to the remainder of France at www.leggettfrance.com
