Paris along the Seine

It crosses the city from east to west and gives it its soul: the Seine, whose banks are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is arguably the most beautiful avenue in Paris. Follow it, and you discover the capital at its most iconic — bridges, palaces, islands and sunsets.

The bridges of Paris, from one bank to the other

Thirty-seven bridges span the Seine within Paris, each with its own story. The Pont Neuf, the oldest; the Pont des Arts, the lovers’ footbridge; the Pont Royal, facing the Louvre. Crossing them means moving from the Right Bank to the Left Bank, and changing atmosphere each time.

Masterpieces by the water

Along its quays, the Seine lines up some of the greatest museums in the world. The Louvre on one bank, the Musée d’Orsay and its clock on the other, the Orangerie, the Institut de France… You move from one to the next via the bridges, a few minutes’ walk along the water.

The Île de la Cité, the cradle of Paris

In the middle of the river, the Île de la Cité is the historic heart of the capital: Notre-Dame, the Sainte-Chapelle and its stained glass, the Conciergerie. This is where Paris was born, more than two thousand years ago. A walk around the island, along the quays, is worth all the guidebooks.

Cruises, quays and picnics

To see Paris differently, hop on a river cruise: in an hour, you glide past the Louvre, the Île de la Cité, the Eiffel Tower. On foot, the pedestrian lower quays invite you to wander and picnic at sunset. Simple, free, unforgettable.

The Seine at the foot of your stay

From our apartment on the rue de Rivoli, the Seine is a five-minute walk away. Enough to start the day with a walk along the quays and end it with a sunset over the water — all without ever taking transport.

Frequently asked questions

What can you see along the Seine in Paris?

The Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, the Île de la Cité with Notre-Dame and the Sainte-Chapelle, the Pont Neuf and the Pont des Arts, and the Eiffel Tower a little further on. The quays can be explored on foot or by boat.

Is a Seine river cruise worth it?

Yes, especially at sunset or nightfall: in an hour you see the main monuments from the water, from a unique angle. A great classic that lives up to its reputation.

Fancy staying a stone’s throw from the Seine? Discover our apartment on the rue de Rivoli. And for the museum next door, read Visiting the Louvre like an insider.