Travel down the scenic Seine River, and you’re guaranteed a first-class seat to all the beauty that Paris has to offer. From iconic landmarks to architectural masterpieces, the banks of the Seine provide a view so extraordinary it’s landed a spot on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. Serving as the life and soul of Paris as it winds through the heart of the city, there’s no better way to experience the “City of Lights” than cruising the famous River Seine.
Eiffel Tower
Though visible from almost anywhere in Paris, the River Seine offers some of the best photo opportunities of the famed Eiffel Tower. Impressive enough by day, this popular sight is just as magnificent at night when hundreds of golden lights outline the giant metal structure—don’t miss the lights when they sparkle for five minutes every hour on the hour.
Musée du Louvre
Originally a royal palace, the Louvre is now the world’s largest museum with 38,000 objects dating from prehistory to the 21st century including Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa”. While no trip to Paris is complete without walking the halls of this massive museum, you’ll get the best idea of how grandiose the Louvre is as you sail by on the Seine.
Musée d’Orsay
Facing the Louvre on the other side of the River Seine is another one of its best-known museums, the Musée d’Orsay. Originally built as a train station in 1900, today, the museum houses the largest collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces in the world, by painters including Monet, Renoir, Seurat, Gauguin, and Van Gogh.
Notre-Dame de Paris
Located on a small island in the middle of the Seine is one of the most outstanding cathedrals in France, Notre-Dame de Paris. While the renowned building is temporarily closed for restorations, visitors can still view its incredible Gothic architecture, beautiful stained glass, and the striking gargoyle statues guarding from above.
Historic Bridges
There are a total of 37 bridges crossing the Seine River within Paris joining the Left and Right Banks with beauty, function, and spectacular views. From the ornate Pont Alexandre III to the charming Pont-Neuf, or “New-Bridge”, which is actually the oldest bridge in Paris, dating back from the early 17th century.