Since ancient times, people settled on the river banks. The Seine River in Paris was no exception, where approximately in the third century BC, the Gaul tribe, known as the Parisians, appeared. It should be noted that an important trade waterway passed through it, connecting the east with the Atlantic.
Name Origin
There are several versions regarding the origin of the name of this reservoir. One of the most common is that the Seine river is called by the Latin word “Sequana”, which means “sacred river”. However, some historians claim that the name is of Gallic origin. They suggest that this is a modified name for the Yonne River, the tributary of which, according to the Gauls, was the Seine. In the lower reaches, on the territory of Normandy, earlier this water stream was generally 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 along the northern French lowland, through the Paris Basin. In the immediate vicinity of Paris, she makes a lot of all kinds of twisting turns. Near the city of Le Havre flows into one of the bays of the English Channel. The largest tributary of the Seine is the Oise. In addition to her, Marne and Ob flow here on the right and Yonna 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 atmospheric precipitation. The same can be said of other water bodies that are located in France. In particular, the period from November to March is characterized by the largest rise in water level. The slope of the Seine bed is just over 60 centimeters per kilometer. In general, it can be described as a full-flowing river with a stable level and calm flow.
Country role
The Seine is now an important shipping route for France. Starting from the town of Troyes, the river has the status of a transport, because from this place vessels with a draft of up to 1.3 meters can run downstream. Ships with a draft of up to 6.5 meters go to the port of Rouen. From the latter, navigation to the capital has been established, ships with a draft of up to 3.2 meters can pass here. Due to the numerous artificial canals, the Seine is connected to other rivers. One cannot but note the 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 all of France is so important that unofficially it is called the 21st district of the capital (according to the officially approved administrative structure, there are 20 of them).
Geographic location
The Seine River on the map conditionally divides the French capital into two parts, crossing it from the southeast to the west with a peculiar arc. The left bank is considered artistic and bohemian, and the right - the business center, where there are numerous administrative buildings, the royal residence of the Louvre, gardens, squares and many other buildings. On the river is also the historical center of Paris - the island of Cite. Outside the city, this water artery neatly goes around the famous Bois de Boulogne and then flows towards the English Channel.
Bridges
The city on the Seine River is one of the most popular tourist destinations worldwide due to its many cultural sites. There is no doubt that these include local bridges. A total of 37 stretched across the Seine through Paris. Some of the most beautiful are considered to be such as Notre Damm, Maly and Louis Philippe, built several centuries ago. It should also be noted that on this river, or rather, at its mouth, is the Bridge of Normandy - one of the longest suspension structures of this kind on the planet. Its length is 2350 meters and a width of 23 meters.
Attractions on the Seine
The Seine River has many architectural monuments on its banks. Moving with the ship, you can see the Louvre together with a complex of museums, the Bourbon Palace, the Invalides House, the Museum d'Orsay, as well as the Notre Dame Cathedral immortalized by Victor Hugo, built from the twelfth to fourteenth century. Tourists coming down the river have a great opportunity to have a good look at the left bank of the world-famous symbol of the city - the Eiffel Tower. It should be noted that the movement along the Seine is continuous. You can ride and enjoy the beautiful city using both small yachts and pleasure cruise ships. Unfortunately, this cannot but affect the state of the river - the water here is heavily polluted.
Interesting Facts
A large number of interesting historical facts, legends and beliefs are associated with the Seine. In particular, it is believed that the ashes of Jeanne d'Arc 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 fulfilled.
In 1910, a great Paris flood occurred, as a result of which the French capital was almost completely flooded. The cause of the disaster was the rise in the Seine in January by as much as six meters. Nothing of the kind has happened here since then. 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 related to the Seine. The fact is that it is very popular among suicides, as well as criminals who throw the bodies of their victims into it.