The Seine is the natural axis around which Paris has been built for centuries. It originates in Burgundy and stretches for 777 km, but it`s in the French capital that it becomes a true guide to history and culture. The best way to see the city is to take a stroll along its quays or aboard a riverboat.
From the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower
Let`s start on the Right Bank. Here you will find the Louvre – a gigantic museum easily recognizable by its glass pyramid. In front of it lies the Tuileries Garden – a manicured park with fountains, sculptures, and iconic green chairs, perfect for a break between sightseeing.
Moving further along the quay, you will cross the Pont Neuf ("New Bridge") – the oldest bridge in Paris, which serves as a wonderful viewpoint. From here, you have a view of the Île de la Cité and the spire of Notre-Dame Cathedral, which, while being restored after the fire, still stands majestically in the heart of the city.
On the Left Bank, directly opposite the Tuileries Garden, is the Musée d`Orsay. It is housed in a former railway station with a huge clock under its glass vault. Inside is the world`s finest collection of Impressionist works, whose main subjects are Paris itself and its inhabitants.
Continuing west, you will reach the Place de la Concorde. This is one of the largest squares in Europe, featuring an ancient Egyptian obelisk in the center and two impressive fountains on either side. From here, the famous view of the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe in the distance unfolds.
Just a stone`s throw away is the most ornate bridge in Paris – the Pont Alexandre III. It is adorned with golden lamp posts, sculptures of winged horses, and nymphs. This bridge leads directly to two majestic twin buildings on the Left Bank: the Grand Palais and the Petit Palais. The Grand Palais is famous for its grand glass dome, while the Petit Palais hosts diverse exhibitions.
From the Pont Alexandre III, the Eiffel Tower is already clearly visible. But if you walk a little further along the Left Bank, another architectural masterpiece will come into view – Les Invalides. It`s impossible to miss, thanks to its enormous gilded dome. Beneath this dome lies the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte.
The View from the Water
Many of these sights reveal themselves from a completely new perspective during a bateau-mouche cruise. From the river, you can truly appreciate the city`s scale and see how all these iconic landmarks – from the Gothic Notre-Dame to the ultra-modern skyscrapers of La Défense – come together to form a single, cohesive picture.
Thus, the Seine is the simplest and most logical route for exploring Paris. Simply walk along its banks, and you will sequentially discover all the major monuments that make the city so unique.
