Seine river, Paris

Seine River, which has origin near Dijon in Northern France, meanders through the city of Paris before it meets the English Channel. It is a major commercial waterway as well as a tourist attraction for the travelers coming to Paris. Entering Paris at the southeast corner, Seine River flows through the center of the city, thus

visiting most of the arrondissements, meaning administrative districts of Paris. During its course, it arches northwards and leaves the city in southwest direction.

Facts About Seine River

 

• The name Seine is said to be originated from Latin Sequana, which comes from Celtic Sicauna, meaning sacred river. According to other proposed etymology, the latin Sequana comes from Gaulish Isicauna which can be diminutive of Icauna. Icauna was the Gaulish name of the Yonne River. The ancient Gauls thought Seine River to be a tributary of the Yonne. Further downstream, Seine River was called Rodo or Roto.



• With around thirty six bridges over it within Paris and many more outside the city, the Seine River is bordered either by expressways or cobbled quays. One can enjoy a ride on boat and view the lovely cityscape at the right bank and left bank called La Rive Droite and La Rive Gauche respectively.
  Between Gare du Nord and Chatelet, the densely populated right bank stands as the heart of modern city and the left bank is quieter, historic with many institutions like universities, ministries and hospitals.

• The banks of Seine River, La Rive Droite and La Rive Gauche are now acclaimed as World Heritage site by UNESCO.

 

Some of the important bridges on

the Seine River within the city are Pont Louis-Philippe and Pont Neuf. Outside the city, Pont de Normandie is one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the world linking Le Havre to Honfleur. Some of the bridges are century old like Pont Neuf which was build as early as 1607.

 

Stories Associated With Seine River

 

• It is said that the ashes of Joan of Arc, after she was notoriously burnt down in 1431, was thrown in the waters of Seine.


• Napoleon wished to be buried on the banks of Seine River but unfortunately his request was not granted.


• Seine has been witness to the tragic Paris massacre of 1961 when unarmed Alegerian demonstrators on the road of Paris were beaten up mercilessly and were thrown into the river.


• Seine has been the inspiration behind many of the beautiful paintings by Pierre Auguste Renoir, Carl Fredrik Hill, Claude Monet and many more. The average depth of Seine River is around 8m making it a slow moving river.

It was in the 1800s that locks were introduced to artificially raise the water level and the level of water is tightly controlled. Nowadays, strict laws are imposed to protect Seine River from pollution and commercial shipping barge and leisure cruises are seen floating along the river.

 

If you are looking for panoramic view of the whole of Paris with its old and modern buildings, monuments, trees and gardens then take a leisurely trip in a boat and have a nice time.