Seine cruise – one hour of Parisian eternity
Seine Cruise, in its unique way, provides another beautiful perspective of Paris, using interplay of lights, water, music and marvels of architecture…
Warm charming July evening in Paris. Breeze around Seine river makes it even better, while play of lights puts some magic on top. Over the bridge from Trocadero, I am leaving behind monumental, World Expo palace from 1937. Facing Eiffel’s Tower, washed with lights and dignity, I was closer to the river that gave birth, and shaped the face of Paris.
Pont Neuf and the City Island, Seine River Cruise, Paris
Eiffel Tower seen from Seine river boat
seine cruise is about to start
Seine is somehow quiet, like a shadow of mighty, monumental structures nestled around it. Like a gentle witness of Parisian past and present, and its true heart. I was there, sitting on a river boat, at the foot of the world’s most famous tower, ready for the magical Seine cruise in Paris, willing to discover its outmost beauty.
Paris cafe music started with gentle touch of always present accordion, while unbeatable, vibrating voice of Edith Piaf contributed to a true Parisian mood. Many anchored, refurbished old boats on the right bank could be noticed. They are actually expensive homes of Parisians who were lucky and rich enough, to combine prestigious location with living on a boat. Our boat was already passing under Alexander III bridge. Its beautiful golden decoration was shining, like in times when Russian Czar presented this bridge as a gift and symbol of friendship for the glamorous 1900. Universal Exhibition in Paris .
Alexander III Bridge, Seine River, Paris
Alexander III Bridge detail, Paris
Museums on the Seine river
Just behind the bridge, famous Grand and Pettit Palais, still keep the spirit of industrial revolution, arts and fashion shows. On the left bank, lights were perfectly set to point an old train station with two facade clocks. It was so nicely converted into one of my most preferred temples of art – The Orsay Museum. This is where brush strokes of Renoir, Monet, Manet, Degas, Gauguin, Lautrec and Van Gogh, move you to another, impressionist dimension.
Orsay Museum, Paris
Conciergerie Palace, Paris
Then came a glimpse of Concord Square, where guillotine was installed during revolution. Meanwhile, on the left bank, National Assembly was amazingly lit up, while across the river, people were admiring simple and elegant facade of Orangerie – museum loaded with Monet’s masterpieces. Seems like a nice introduction to stunning facade of the Louvre Museum.
Seine River and Louvre Museum facade
From the river, it looks like an endless monument to the architectural and royal glory. Locals mixed with tourists were already settled on both sides of the river. Some of them were having great time in fancy bars. Others enjoyed Montmartre type – bohemian chill out mode while sitting on a stone wall with a glass of wine or beer. Those cheerful faces were happy to salute every single river boat, with true and honest smile, typical for Parisian way of life. Looking ahead I was aware how deepest history of Paris is coming closer to our boat. We passed under the oldest, Pont Neuf bridge, where last Templars Grand Master ended his life and continued next to the legendary, Ile de la Cite or the City Island.
Seine River and Notre Dame
I admired Gothic pinnacle of Saint Chapelle, where the most beautiful medieval stain glass windows can be seen. Then came Conciergerie Palace – first home of the French kings and a place where Mary Antoinette suffered in a prison, before her final moments. Finally, my sight is captured by proud and beautiful, Notre Dame Cathedral. Its gothic architecture reaches the sky, while elegant flying buttresses look so dignified from the boat.
I wished to keep cruising forever, thinking on Voltaire and Victor Hugo, when dynamic atmosphere of famous Latin Quarter on the left bank, brought me back. One side of the river became famous for its students and Sorbonne University, the other, for its nobility. Just observe layout of streets, and brilliantly preserved, noble, XVII century palaces on the Island of St. Louis. On the way back, I was trying to relax, contemplate and reflect.
Seine river bank dancing show
Feeling that I touched the essence of Paris was so strong. I kept noticing how every facade, corner, bridge, or a person truly belongs to this city. That night, I experienced another world, I would say Parisian world. Seine river cruise simply removed a curtain with a stage being opened for everyone. For all the souls willing to be a part of Parisian eternity.
Notice: article images are made by Jonnie World Walker team.
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Seine River, as the soul of Paris, needs to be explored from all possible aspects. This amazing book offers incredible stories to portrait the river that shaped and beautified the face of Paris
