FRANCE: The River Seine in Paris

We are slowing things down a bit and are in Paris for 2 months. 

We “live” a couple blocks from the Seine River and feel like locals.

The Seine is a major waterway in northern France, flowing 777 kilometers (about 483 miles) from the Burgundy region to the English Channel.

The Seine winds through the heart of Paris dividing the city into the Left Bank (Rive Gauche) and Right Bank (Rive Droite) passing by famous landmarks—like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Musée d'Orsay.

The Pont Alexandre III is one of the most ornate bridges in Paris.

The bridge is decorated with lampposts, cherubs and nymphs.

At each of its four corners are tall stone pylons topped with gilded bronze statues of Pegasus (the winged horse) representing arts, sciences, commerce, and industry.

Pont Neuf, another prominent bridge, was constructed between 1578 and 1607. It was the first Parisian bridge without shops built on it and featured paved sidewalks. 

It spans the Seine with two sections across the Île de la Cité. From the centre of the island there are five arches leading to Left Bank (Rive Gauche) and seven arches heading to the Right Bank (Rive Droite), totaling 12 in all. 

 

There are about 381 “mascarons” (grotesque stone faces) decorating the bridge.

Along the banks of the Seine are booksellers, known as "Les Bouquinistes". The name bouquiniste comes from bouquin, an old French word for "book." They are independent booksellers who operate green wooden boxes attached to the riverside parapets. They’ve been part of Parisian life for over 400 years.

One weekend a multi-national retailer had a promotion and decorated the stands with yellow daffodils. It added a bright colourful touch.

There are beautiful buildings along the Seine.

 

 

 

The Pont des Arts is called The Love Lock Bridge. Couples from all over the world would attach padlocks with their initials to the bridge’s railings and then throw the key into the Seine as a symbol of everlasting love. By 2015 the weight of hundreds of thousands of locks was over 45 tons and was damaging the bridge. The city removed the locks and replaced the railings with glass panels to prevent further damage.

 

 

 

Now people have found other places to put their locks.

 

Napoleon left his mark. 

 

 

Peaceful contemplation. 

 

 

 There was music and dancing.  

People picnic along the river's edge. 

As new "locals" we’ve enjoyed picnicking along the banks of the Seine. It makes us feel very Parisienne.

In the summer the sun sets about 10pm and the lighting along the river was very pretty. 

 

 

It was dramatic.  

 

 

 

The Eiffel Tower on the banks of the Seine is lit up at night.

Despite thinking we blend in with the locals, I suspect that is not the case and they can spot us as tourists very quickly.