Rivers of France: description and characteristics. The Seine River as a symbol of Paris and all of France Ile de la Cité: between two banks

Many people know where the Seine River is located, but the history of the water flow will not be described. Seine is attractive because it is located on Paris. The city was built around a water trade and transport route. The early tribes of Paris were attacked here and driven off by the Romans. What was conquered then turned into what was especially desired. Seine was previously called Sequana. It continues to be the main trade route.

The length of the Seine River is 776 km. Basin - 78.65 thousand km 2. The channel goes to the northwest. The source starts in Burgundy (a historically known zone in the eastern part of France), height - 471 m. The greatest European river, the network of which serves almost entirely the inland water transport of the state. Where does the Seine River flow? To the English Channel.

½ of the water used by Parisians comes from the Seine. You need to forget about this fact when you see where the Seine River flows, or garcon will give water.

Today on the embankments you can see sunbathers, tourists taking photos of the Seine River, cyclists, mothers walking with babies in strollers, and athletes. The embankments roughly divide the city in half: into a highway and paths for pedestrians and cyclists. The area was called "Paris Beach". They equip the resting place with palm trees, sun loungers, and tons of sand.

On the coast there are luxurious restaurants, noisy discos, and reasonably priced bars. Ordinary benches will delight travelers who want to fill themselves with a piece of bread and cheese while looking at the Seine. Floating households can be seen from the right bank.

The embankment walls made of stone are the language of the Seine's past. If desired, it is possible to examine different water levels that appeared after floods, huge iron rings used to tie barges, a cast iron grate or a door to an underground passage, an old sewer system, and entrances to the subway. The embankments are protected by UNESCO and are World Heritage Sites.

River bridges

The Seine River in France is partially covered by 32 bridges. The oldest is Pont Neuf, seen in the works of masters of words and brushes.

The structure can be seen in films of the last century. There is an attractive small island near the bridge, with pleasure boats mooring to it. In the warm season, it is pleasant to sit on a bench or take a sunbath on the sloping embankment. The road leads to the equestrian statue of Henri the Fifth, then you need to go down the steps to the docks. The view will appeal to those who like to watch drifting boats.

Pont Des Arts is a metal bridge for pedestrians only. From here you have a magnificent view of the French capital. Some bring drinks and food, others bring guitars, and it turns out to be a celebration.

The estuary is crossed by the long Normandy suspension bridge, 2350 m long. The central span is 935 m. The width is 23 m. The traffic is four-lane. Started working in 1995.

Information for tourists

Relatively recently, the river was considered unsuitable for swimming and fishing, but thanks to the efforts of environmentalists, the Seine was cleared of sewage. Now Atlantic salmon is caught here, which is a positive trend, but no one has canceled the presence of increased concentrations of heavy metals in the water. This is not an obstacle to river travel; France offers many other privileges for spending time on the beach. In the Parisian environs, during the summer heat, artificial beaches are made from imported sand, here you are allowed to sunbathe and have fun (namely, have fun, don’t swim).

At the mouth of the Seine there is the botanical garden of Honfleur. Butterflies, exotic birds, and flora will delight you. You can enter with a ticket costing up to 9 €. The Buccle de la Seine Normand protected area is located near the exit from Le Havre; there are zoological and entertainment parks on the Rouen borders.

In addition to river cruises, vacationers are invited to boarding houses and campsites located outside industrial zones. There are establishments on every kilometer (you just have to find the Seine River on the map and see for yourself). Bistros, gas stations, and car rentals are nearby. There are yacht clubs in the seaside part. In the capital, you can temporarily use (not for free) a barge standing on the embankment to relax, like in a hotel, on a mini-terrace. This pleasure costs approximately 200 euros per day (if up to 5 people are relaxing).

Romantic and mysterious, stylish and elegant – this is exactly what the most famous European capital looks like. The grandeur of the buildings, monuments and monuments impresses even the most experienced tourist, and legends about their beauty are known far beyond the borders of France. Paris has the uniqueness of its ancient streets, embankments and buildings, from every corner of which history speaks.

The main river Seine in Paris gives the city a special atmosphere, which can be felt during a leisurely walk alone with the river and its story about the centuries-old history of the city.

The Seine River in Paris, its ports and embankments

“Seine” got its name from the Latin “Sequana”, which literally means "sacred river or spring". The Seine River in Paris is the main attraction that nature gave to the French. The river originates in eastern France. Its length is 776 km, the cities of Rouen, Le Havre, Troyes and others are also located here. The source of the Seine is located on the Langres plateau.

Near Paris, the river is winding and makes a large number of turns, creating a unique terrain on its way, numerous islets and islands, the most famous of which is the Cité. The river's waters are replenished by rain and melt water, as well as tributaries.

Since ancient times, the Seine has been considered the heart of Parisians; even the tribes that settled here in the 3rd century BC were engaged in fishing in its waters. From these tribes, called Parisaemes, the name of the modern French capital comes.

Almost along its entire length, the Seine is a shipping route; every day a huge number of cargo and passenger ships deliver goods and products along its waters. Along the entire perimeter of the river there are ports, the main ones of which are:

• Paris,
• and Le Havre

Additional canals built by engineers solve the problems of transporting goods and connect other rivers with the main waterway of the country.

Today, the main river in Paris, the Seine, is a key aspect in the development of the city; Parisians themselves unofficially call it the 21st arrondissement. Conditionally the French capital is divided river on two sides:

• right bank where the business and trade life of the city takes place
• And left Coast– the leisurely and measured life of Parisian bohemia, cultural monuments, architecture and much more are located in this part of the city.

Seine River - left bank

The French call the left bank of the Seine La Rive Gauche. Geographically, the Left Bank has six counties, and for Parisians he is also center of cultural life.

Many great geniuses, artists, writers and poets who lived in Paris at one time chose this part of the city, among them Hemingway, Picasso, Matisse and the list goes on and on.

About infinity.

Historical attractions"left bank":

• Sorbonne;
• Boulevards Saint-Michel and Saint-Germain;
• and many others.

Interesting fact is that the left bank in Paris has long ceased to be only a geographical component, now it is also a lifestyle, a way of dressing and a unique unique appearance of the residents living in its districts.

Seine River - right bank

This part of the city has long been a favorite place of residence for Parisian moneybags. Today the situation has changed significantly and the right bank has taken an active position as the business and financial center of the city.

The French call the right bank La River Droite. Geographically, the Right Bank is divided into 14 counties.

Interesting fact: Most of the popular Parisian attractions are located on the Right Bank, and tourists, knowing this, try to find housing in this part of the city, but thanks to the city's metro, both banks of the Seine are connected to each other, and housing on the Left Bank is sometimes much cheaper. You can save a lot of money this way.

Historical attractions"right bank":

• Triumphal Arch;
• etc.

Boat excursions and walks along the Seine in Paris

The current river has not changed at all, fast water still flows in its bed, which remembers many historical events, but life around it has become a little different. Every year modern events are held on the banks of the river. music and art festivals, shows and performances, designed for both adults and children. More than 150 small ships with permanent residents on board are moored in its waters.

The winding river in the center of Paris has created a relief island in the shape of a ship, which is called L’îlede la Cité (Island of Cité). The Ile de la Cité in Paris is considered the heart of the French capital.

In Paris, a boat trip on the Seine is carried out river ships and steamships, where in addition to the traditional excursion, you can order lunch or dinner. You can take a river trip at any time of the year - Paris is wonderful in any season!

While walking along the Seine in Paris, you will notice many bridges of varying styles and designs. While taking a cruise along the Seine in Paris, all the nuances of the famous Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Holy Chapel and other architectural structures become open to the eye. A tour of the Seine in Paris is a unique, unforgettable experience.

• Paris, on the waves of the Seine. Tour price from 65 euros.
• Sights of Paris, Eiffel Tower cruise. Walking price from 14 euros.
• Cruise “Secrets of the Seine. Paris". The price of an exciting and educational cruise with a walk along the Seine embankment in Paris from 14 euros.
• River excursion "Cruise from Notre Dame" and "The Magic of Paris". Walks for the youngest travelers and tourists will help children find out which river flows in Paris and its name. Excursion price from 13 euros

The name of the river in Paris, the Seine, gives unforgettable memories. Going for a walk in cool weather It is recommended to take with you:

• a blanket for comfortable and cozy privacy,
• on hot summer days - a hat to protect from the scorching sun.

Photos of the Seine

The waters of this river reflect the life of Paris and its inhabitants. You can verify this by looking at the following photos.

The Seine begins in Paris. Not symbolically, but literally. The key of the river “unlocks” the earth in the spruce forest of Paris and rushes on its way - from Paris - to Paris - to the English Channel, to the ocean...

290 kilometers from the capital of France, on the Burgundian plateau of Langres, there is a tiny part of it - the same spruce forest, the cradle of the Seine, which in 1864, by decree of Napoleon III, became part of Paris. Could it have been otherwise? If there were no Paris, who outside of France would be particularly interested in the Seine? However, Parisians think differently: without the Seine, Paris would not have appeared.

Parisians and Seine

Paris began on the islet of the Cité Seine. Here was the Celtic town of Lutetia (“swamp”), inhabited by Parisii. Some trace the name of the capital to the name of this tribe, others - with the Trojans who fled from Troy and founded the city of Parisia - “insolence” in one of the most fertile places in Europe. There are other versions, but the conclusion from them is the same - the area has attracted people since ancient times with its fertile lands, calm and deep river, which became the trade artery of Europe from its very heyday.

Parisians still count the space from the heart of Paris and the Seine - Cité. At the stone bulk of Notre Dame de Paris, Notre Dame Cathedral, built on the island from 1163 to 1345, a bronze slab depicting a compass is placed in the pavement. This is the “zero point” - point zero, all distances from Paris are measured from it, here for Parisians it is the center of the world, the universe.

Main street of Paris

That’s what the residents and guidebooks call it, that’s what the Seine really is. Rue Seine begins in the southeast of the city, flows solemnly to the north, then bends smoothly, drawing on the map either a crooked medieval saber or a beauty’s eyebrow 14.5 kilometers long - both of which suit Paris.

Instead of ordinary houses on this street there are barges and bridges. Not those cargo barges that float past the embankments at 3 o'clock, when the water is like ink, and only the buoy opposite the Ile de la Cité flashes with a green Morse code light, sending signals to someone in the dead of night. Along the banks of the Seine there are moored real house barges, restaurant barges, psychiatric hospital barges, workshops, galleries, shelters for the homeless, like the barge “Fleuron Saint-Jacques”, where the homeless will be fed and given lodging for the night with the money of the Order of Malta. Yes, it still exists and has a more serious influence than the average person believes.

The happier ones go to the floating restaurant “Chalif” - an oriental fairy tale of the Seine. And the happiest ones go to a floating house-barge: relatively recently, such housing cost a penny and did not require any obligations. But fashion, fashion - it is born in Paris! Now residential barges give real registration in the capital and cost like crazy.

Bridges are the main witnesses to the history of the river and the city. There are 37 of them in Paris. The Cite and the shore are connected by the Pont Notre-Dame - the Notre Dame Bridge, 105 m long. The most exciting walking tour of the city begins along it, but it itself is worthy of special attention. In its place, as if on the site of churches, many bridges were visited, destroyed and built, first by the Parisians, then by the Romans. In 1413, by decree of Charles VI, a typical medieval bridge was erected, built up with merchant shops and houses according to the customs of that time. As often happened, the bridge eventually collapsed. Instead, new ones appeared in 1660, 1786 and 1853. The latter had five arches, which barges constantly collided with, for which the bridge was nicknamed the Devil's. In 1919, the bridge was renewed, the central 3 arches were demolished even earlier - since then it has retained its appearance. Tourists rush along it, young people meet, roller skate, artists and cartoonists are waiting for you or for fame, which is always wandering somewhere in Paris.

Ironically, the oldest bridge over the Seine is called New - Pont Neuf. It also connects with its two wings the Parisian heart of the Cite with the shores. Construction of the New began in 1578, when, as they solemnly write, Henry III - the last Valois - laid the first stone. In fact, he just threw it into the water. Such negligence on the water is always fraught. Therefore, the bridge was completed already under Henry IV - the first Bourbon. The new bridge was incredible for its time: there were no buildings blocking the horizon, its width - 28 m - exceeded all European streets, so it was immediately “populated” by jesters, jugglers, singers, booksellers, doctors and prostitutes. On the Place du Pont Neuf you can pay respects to Henry IV, through whose work the most romantic bridge in Paris adorns the capital to this day.

But divers consider the New Bridge to be sad. Every day at 9 am they put on their suits to inspect the bottom. Near Novy, from which the Palace of Justice is very close, they find dozens of wedding rings: after the divorce, people often go to the bridge and throw the much-desired, but disappointed jewelry into the water.

Another painting under the Pont des Arts is the Pont des Arts, the first iron bridge in the French capital, connecting the Louvre and the French Academy. The Pont des Arts is hung with copper locks with the names of lovers, and the bottom underneath is strewn with keys to the locks.

And we have the right to be proud of the most beautiful bridge in Paris. This is the Pont Alexandre III between the Champs Elysees and the Invalides. The beauty and elegance of the building, opened in 1900 before the World Exhibition, was appreciated by the Parisians themselves and recognized as outstanding. The bridge is decorated with nymphs, angels, pegasi, allegorical figures of Science, Art, Industry and Battle. The arched center of the structure is the nymph of the Seine and the nymph of the Neva with the coats of arms of the two states. The twin bridge of Alexandria in Paris is the Trinity Bridge in St. Petersburg, which was built simultaneously according to the design of French engineers.

Shores

Bridges are banks. For a long time, the left bank of the Seine (La Rive Gauche), which includes 6 districts, was the center of bohemia, cheap and free life; the names of Hemingway, Matisse, and Picasso are associated with it.

Here, on the left bank, the Seine approaches the Eiffel Tower, the Orsay Museum, which houses masterpieces by Gauguin, Van Gogh, Degas, Monet, Cezanne, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Munch. Near Orsay - Sorbonne, Latin Quarter, Tuileries Garden, Rodin Museum. It is difficult to imagine such a center in any other place on the planet, on the banks of another river.

On the left bank, the Saint-Jermain quarter stretches along the Seine - the most arrogant, luxurious, branded and other similar Parisian quarter. It is interesting to look at it as a comedy of manners; it is not for nothing that one of the darkest sons of shining France, Sartre, loved it so much. If you don't want to look at people, admire the architectural masterpieces of old centuries with which Saint-Germain is so lavishly decorated.

The right bank (La Rive Droite) has always been rich, respectable, conservative. There are 14 districts of the capital here. Here are the Champs Elysees, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, the Tuileries Garden, the Picasso Museum.

To get around everything just mentioned, you need to live in Paris for a long time. But you can’t miss something - there’s nothing like it in the world. Therefore, it is better to board something similar to a water bus at the Eiffel Tower and go along the Seine - the great river will show you everything that it has “grown” on its banks. The pleasure boat will stop at Notre Dame, the Louvre, the Champs Elysees and the Jardin des Plantes, and will proceed under the Royal Bridge (Pont Royal), on the support towers of which the levels of all floods are marked. The last terrible flood happened in 1910, the Seine flooded the metro, squares, streets, 20 thousand houses, killing dozens of people.

On the boat you will sail under the Bridge of Concord (Pont de la Concord), the design of which is the stone of the destroyed Bastille, you will see on the shore the Luxor Obelisk from Egypt, the Grand Palais - a magnificent example of modernism in architecture, the Bourbon Palace (Palais Bourbon), embankment Voltair, where Voltaire lived and died in the Hôtel de Villette mansion.

On the Bercy embankment you can compete in a salsa or tango tour - on warm evenings they organize real dance marathons there. In the summer, the Pompidou opens a beach lined with real palm trees and strewn with sand.

The embankments of the Seine are Paris. They are unique in every sense - both spiritual and physical - so much so that they are included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Parisians call them the 21 arrondissement of the capital - the main and beautiful one.

People here are delighted, go crazy, fall in love, throw themselves off bridges, draw, sell and buy something, and only the Seine, like thousands of years ago, flows calmly and majestically, as befits a river that, like a cornucopia, has gifted the world.

The Seine River is 485 miles (780 kilometers) long and its tributaries cover an area of ​​approximately 78,700 square kilometers. It is the greatest historical river in Europe, and its water network serves almost all of the country's inland water transport. From the early Middle Ages to this day, the Seine has been the main waterway of Paris.

History of the Seine

Many people know in which country the Seine River is located, but they cannot say anything about its history. It is no coincidence that the city developed around this trade and transport route. No wonder the early Parisian tribes were attacked here and overthrown by the Romans. Later, the won place became especially desirable. At that time, the river bore the Latin name Sequana. It still represents the main trade route today.

Half of the water used in Paris still comes from the Seine. Try not to think about it when you look at the murky green water flowing under a bridge or when the waiter brings you a glass of plain water.

How to find your way

It is not enough to simply know where the Seine River is or where it flows. Tourists often confuse the terms “right bank” and “left bank”. They walk along the streets with crumpled maps, trying to get their bearings and figure out which side of the coast they are on. The system is very simple and was developed because the tortuous length of the Seine River often made orientation difficult. Remember, if you see that the river is flowing down, then the left bank is to your left, and the right bank is to your right.

If you cannot distinguish the left side from the right, then it is better to take a companion with you. If you can’t tell which way the water is flowing (don’t look at the boats, they go upstream!), then drop a bun crumb or see in which direction it floats. Then you will be able to get to Les Deux Magots cafe on time, and not to La Defense.

Famous bridges across the river

The Seine is crossed by 32 bridges. The oldest is Pont Neuf, which was immortalized in their works by artists and poets. It was even depicted in films of the twentieth century (see “Lovers in Pont Neuf”). Along the bridge is a beautiful little island which is now used as a stopover by pleasure boats. In spring or summer, you can sit on a bench under the willows or sunbathe on the sloping stone embankment near the manicured gardens. To get there, simply walk towards the equestrian statue of Henri V and look for the steps leading down to the docks. This is a great place if you are the type of person who likes to watch floating boats. You won't find a more pleasant corner in all of Paris.

Another popular bridge is the Pont Des Arts, which differs from its other brothers in that it is made of metal and is completely pedestrian. It offers a beautiful view of Paris. Some bring wine and food, others bring guitars, so the atmosphere is almost always festive.

Beaches and river embankments

Below the Pont Des Arts bridge on the left and right embankments you will see hundreds of sunbathers, cyclists, women with strollers, and runners. The embankments run along the entire length of the river and seem to divide the city in half. One part of them is a highway, and the other is pedestrian and bicycle paths. The new mayor called this area “Paris Beach” and turned it into a summer attraction of the city. Thousands of tons of sand are imported along with full-size palm trees and sun loungers to create the only artificial “beach” in Europe. This is strange, but the French are happy with this arrangement.

Interesting fact! The Seine River is a popular place for fishing enthusiasts. The World Fishing Championship was even held here.

On the banks of the Seine there are expensive restaurants, discos and cafes. The free benches are a great option for travelers who prefer to grab their own sandwich with the same view of the Seine. The floating houses can be seen closely from the right bank.

The stone walls of the embankments are a code language of the river’s past. If you look closely, you can see various levels of water created by floods, giant iron rings used to tie river barges to docks, a cast iron grate or doorway leading to an underground passage, an ancient sewer system, subway entrances, unknown catacombs. These stone embankments are now protected by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.

River walks

The best way to feel the river is, of course, to take a boat ride. In Paris you will find many cruise tour operators offering different levels of service - from organizing boat taxis to private dinners. The most famous is the Bautaux-Mouches company. Don't miss the day and evening cruises from tour operator Marina De Paris, which depart from the Orsay Museum. There is another sightseeing cruise on the St. Martin's Canal.

Note: The Batobus sails up and down the Seine from the Eiffel Tower to the Institut Du Monda Arabé, stopping along the main attractions. It works the same as a regular bus. You can buy a day pass or a two-day pass to cruise the river at your leisure. The boats are also good: wooden decks, glass walls and roof.

The most popular hotels near the Seine are the 3-star De Orsay, Hotel Verneuil and Albe. The 3-star Hotel Le Notre Dame, the Aparthotel Citadines Saint Germain Des Prés and the 4-star Les Rives de Notre-Dame are located right on the riverbank opposite the cathedral. All of them are in the Latin Quarter.

Since ancient times, people have settled on river banks. The Seine River in Paris was no exception, where a tribe of Gauls known as the Parisians appeared around the third century BC. It should be noted that an important trade waterway connecting the east with the Atlantic passed through it.

Origin of the name

There are several versions regarding the origin of the name of this reservoir. One of the most common is that the Seine River is named by the Latin word “Sequana”, which means “sacred river”. However, some historians argue that the name is of Gallic origin. They suggest that this is a modified name for the Yonne River, a tributary of which, according to the Gauls, was the Seine. In the lower reaches, on the territory of Normandy, this water stream was previously called “Rodo” - in honor of the plain of the same name.

general description

The Seine River stretches for 776 kilometers. It originates in Burgundy (a province in the eastern part of France), in the area of ​​the Langres plateau, which rises 471 meters above sea level. It flows mainly through the northern French lowland, through the Paris Basin. In the immediate vicinity of Paris, it makes a lot of different winding turns. Not far from the city of Le Havre it flows into one of the bays of the English Channel. The largest tributary river of the Seine is the Oise. In addition to it, the Marne and Aube flow here on the right along the stream, and the Yonne on the left. The total area of ​​the basin is almost 79 thousand km 2.

Be that as it may, the Seine is replenished mainly due to precipitation. The same can be said about other water bodies that are located in France. In particular, the period from November to March is characterized by the greatest rise in water levels. The slope of the Seine bed is just over 60 centimeters for every kilometer. In general, it can be characterized as a deep river with a stable level and a calm flow.

Role for the country

The Seine is now an important shipping route for France. Starting from the town of Troyes, the river has transport status, because from this place ships with a draft of up to 1.3 meters can ply downstream. Ships with a draft of up to 6.5 meters sail to the port of Rouen. From the latter, shipping to the capital has been established; ships with a draft of up to 3.2 meters can pass here. Due to numerous artificial canals, the Seine is connected to other rivers. It should be noted that there are a large number of ports located on its shores. The largest of them are concentrated in the cities of Paris, Rouen and Le Havre. The role of the river for the whole of France is so important that it is unofficially called the 21 districts of the capital (according to the officially approved administrative structure, there are 20 of them).

Geographical location

The Seine River on the map conventionally divides the French capital into two parts, crossing it from southeast to west in a kind of arc. The left bank is considered artistic and bohemian, while the right bank is considered a business center, where numerous administrative buildings, the royal residence of the Louvre, gardens, squares and many other buildings are located. The historical center of Paris, the Ile de la Cité, is also located on the river. Outside the city, this waterway carefully bends around the famous one and then flows towards the English Channel.

Bridges

The city on the Seine River is one of the most popular tourist centers in the world thanks to its numerous cultural sites. Without a doubt, these include local bridges. In total, there are 37 of them stretching across the Seine within Paris. Some of the most beautiful of them are considered to be Notre Damme, Petit and Louis Philippe, built several centuries ago. It should also be noted that on this river, or rather, at its mouth, there is the Normandy Bridge - one of the longest suspended structures of its kind on the planet. Its length is 2350 meters and its width is 23 meters.

Attractions on the Seine

The Seine River has many architectural monuments on its banks. Moving along the current on a boat, you can see the Louvre along with a complex of museums, the Bourbon Palace, the Invalides, as well as the Les Invalides, immortalized by Victor, built between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries. Tourists going down the river have a great opportunity to get a good look at the world-famous symbol of the city - the Eiffel Tower - on the left bank. It should be noted that traffic along the Seine is continuous. You can take a ride and admire the beautiful city using both small yachts and pleasure cruise ships. Unfortunately, this cannot but affect the condition of the river - the water here is heavily polluted.

A large number of interesting historical facts, legends and beliefs are associated with the Seine. In particular, it is believed that the ashes of Joan of Arc, who was burned in 1431, were scattered over her. In addition, the Seine River was so loved by the national French hero Napoleon Bonaparte that he dreamed of being buried on its banks. However, his will was never was fulfilled.

In 1910, there was a great Parisian flood, as a result of which the French capital was almost completely flooded. The cause of the disaster was a rise in the water level in the Seine in January by as much as six meters. Nothing like this has happened here since that time. In 1991, the Parisian banks of the river were included by UNESCO in the list of world heritage sites concentrated in Europe.

There are also unpleasant statistics associated with the Sena. The fact is that it is very popular among suicides, as well as criminals who throw the bodies of their victims into it.