The Seine – 10 Views that Will Capture Your Heart

The Seine river meanders through Paris designing the perfect walking tour. As it winds along its way, it passes many iconic views I love and possibly some that are your favorites as well. Not being able to make the planned trip to France because of the COVID-19 restrictions finds me perusing photos from past trips and walking Paris streets via these photos.

I decided to share a few of my favorites here with you today.

Let’s begin by taking Metro Line 6 to the Passy stop and walking along the quais (banks) back towards the Eiffel Tower. This view of the Seine with the moored péniches (canal boats) and Eiffel Tower in the background is one of my favorites. It is a lovely mix of the daily life on the canal boats and the iconic tourist draw of the Eiffel Tower.

Metro line 6 glides effortlessly over Pont Bir Hakeim as it crosses the Seine. From this metro route, you have a lovely view of the Eiffel Tower. Beneath the metro line on the bridge,  there are avenues for both cars and pedestrians. I love this view of the Seine at night. The bridge and all the canal boats and floating restaurants illuminate the Seine with their lights.

Continue following the Seine keeping the Eiffel on the right, we soon arrive at the historic monument of Pont Alexandre III. Connecting the left and right banks of Paris while it directs  our eyes to the beautiful Grand and Petit Palais Museums, it is an extravagant site.

This view wins the first place award in my eyes.

Let’s Cross that Bridge

At this point, I cross the bridge and wander through the Jardin des Tuileries, enjoying the shade. The next view is as I approach the Conciergerie. During the French Revolution Marie Antoinette was imprisoned here before her rendez-vous with the guillotine. Also imprisoned here was Madame du Barry, the mistress of Louis XV.

Charlotte Corday who was guillotined for killing Jean-Paul Marat, a member of a radical group that had significant role during the reign of terror spent time in this prison.  Later, in the 19th century, Napoleon III experienced a stay here as well.

Decommissioned in 1914, the Conciergerie opened to the public as a national historic monument. On the far right is the spire of Sainte-Chapelle.

There are so many lovely views of the Seine on both sides of the river in this section that the views cross back and forth between the right and left banks.

Pont Saint-Michel spans the river Seine in the foreground above. Behind it we see the  Greffe du Tribunal du Commerce with the lovely dome  and beyond that the Conciergerie again. So much history in one place! (note: I am standing on the Pont d’Arcole.)

Continuing on down the Quai….

I crossed back to the left bank on Pont Marie. Following this delightful little street named rue des Deux Ponts, I crossed Rue St-Louis en l’Ile where a line formed at Berthillon ice cream shop. But, I continued on to my destination of  Papeterie Marie-Tournelle. This tiny shop always has something that I want. I stopped to buy another journal and then crossed the Seine via Pont de la Tournelle.

I love this bridge because of the views of Notre Dame. Pont de l’Archêveche connects this island to the left bank. At the very tip of the island, just to your right as you cross the bridge (seen in the photo) is the Memorial to the Martyrs of the Deportation.This memorial is for the 200,000 people deported from France to German concentration camps in World War II. Don’t miss seeing this (bonus, it’s free!).

A bit beyond the bridge I had another spectacular view of Notre Dame. Cherished photos from the past: I anticipate the completion of the fire restorations so that we once again enjoy these beautiful views.

At the far end of the island, Ile de la Cité, is Pont Neuf with a statue of Henri IV, below. As I continued down the quai, I perused multiple bouquinistes and found a few treasures to take home!

Square du Vert-Galant peacefully rests at the tip of the island.

I’ve enjoyed reminiscing  with this little tour around the Seine and I hope you’ve enjoyed the views! I want to finish with this picture because of the two iconic spires. This photo was taken two weeks before the April 2019 fire at Notre Dame robbed us of her beautiful spire. It is the smaller spire on the right in the photo. The spire to the left, which appears larger because it is closer is the spire of Sainte-Chapelle.

Until we meet again, Paris. I know you will be waiting for us!

[Note: Prints and gift items featuring some of these photos can be found in the Paris Collection of my photography website.]