© 2017 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.
The Seine has always played an important role in Paris.
Two Olympic games’ events were held here in the early 1900s.
The river divides the city into the two different areas, the Left Bank (Rive Gauche) and the Right Bank (Rive Droite), both with very distinct personalities.
Beautiful architecture, in the form of bridges, cross many areas of the tributary…some of the most noteworthy are Pont Neuf, Pont D’Austerlitz, Pont St. Michel, Pont Des Invalides, Pont Marie, Pont du Carrousel, Pont Royal, Pont Alexandre III, Pont de Bir-Hakeim.
The Seine provides a means of transportation and entertainment…maritime river vessels transport goods through the city and boats carry passengers on sight-seeing voyages and dinner cruises up and down the waterway.
Every year, millions of visitors arrive in Paris, hoping to see the city from all angles. At some point during their visit, most make their way to the Seine…walking along the river and taking in views of the Eiffel Tower or crossing the river to access other parts of the city.
One of the most popular attractions in Paris are the bateau-mouches, or river boats and there are a few different companies to choose from, including Vedettes de Paris, Bateaux Mouches and Bateaux Parisiennes. Having only cruised on one of these companies, Bateaux Mouches, I really did not have much of an opinion on why one would be better than the others. Same sights, different boats, right?
Recently, my son and I decided to make good on a boat ride. On his thirteenth birthday trip to Paris, we had planned to take a river cruise one evening. It was extremely cold and windy and other activities encroached on our time. Leaving Paris knowing we had missed out on one of the prime ways to see the city, we were quite disappointed. While he was with me in Paris again, we were definitely not going to miss out.
Taking a walk towards the Eiffel Tower, it was almost lunch time. Grabbing sandwiches, our plan was to take the next departure on the closest boat company, Bateaux Parisiennes, and have our lunch on the boat…only, our plan did not work. We just missed the boat and had to eat our lunch while waiting for the next one to depart. Lesson learned…make sure you know the departure times.
Boarding the Bateaux Parisiennes boat, I was quite impressed with the accommodations. Instead of rows of seats, all facing foward, there were small seating areas near the windows and a raised row of seats at the center to accommodate larger crowds, all covered in a nice, light-colored woodgrain. Many television monitors were strategically placed throughout the boat showing upcoming scenery and retractable handsets offered a detailed commentary of the passing attractions. A stairway at the center of the boat led to the top of the boat where benches lined the exterior for those (like us) willing the brave the misty afternoon. There was also a vending area at the rear of the bottom level with soft drinks and snacks available and the boat was extremely neat and clean.
Passing the famous buildings and attractions, we decided to brave the misty weather and go to the top of the boat for a while. Coasting by Jardin des Tuileries, The Louvre, Musee D’Orsay, and finally Ile de La Cité, where Notre Dame presides in all of its glory, we had a prime view of the famous landmarks and the upper deck almost to ourselves as we glided under the beautiful bridges that cross the Seine.
The boat finally rounded Ile de La Cité and began it’s return journey.
As we passed our starting point and admired the Eiffel Tower, I assumed we were on our way to Swan Island to make the turn and view the Statue of Liberty. Sadly, though I remember seeing the Statue of Liberty on previous trips, we did not go that far and returned to our starting point.
After docking, we were free to leave and continue our exploration on foot along the Seine.
When visiting the beautiful city of Paris, grab some snacks and drinks and head down to the Seine. Try one of the river boats and see the city from a different perspective! Or better yet, try one of the dinner cruises on their restaurant boats! Night or day, it’s a lovely way to enjoy the city.
For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.
Bateaux Parisiennes
- http://www.bateauxparisiens.com/english.html
- Address: Port de la Bourdonnais, 75007 Paris, France (just in front of the Eiffel Tower)
- Hours: October-March, 1030-2200, departures approximately every hour. April-September, 1000-2230 (2300, Aug), departures approximately every half hour. Additional departures from Notre Dame from April-November. See website for more detailed information.
- Admission: €15
- Getting There: Metro, Line 6, Bir-Hakeim stop, Line 9, Trocadero stop, Bus 42, 92, RER, Line C, Champs de Mars – Tour Eiffel stop
Wandering along the avenues and pathways within the cemetery and its moss-covered tombs, I soon passed the main gate. Checking the posted map again, I began my search for Jim Morrison’s grave. Walking uphill and minding my steps on the cobblestones in the misty afternoon, I found the masses of gravesites and lack of signage quite confusing. Noticing the number of other people seemingly heading the same direction, I continued my quest. Finally, spotting a large group and their tour guide, one pathway over, I realized that I had found my destination.
Having heard tales of long lines, I was prepared for a bit of a wait, however, being four o’clock on a winter’s afternoon, it was not busy at all. Making our way through the maze of roped off areas and security to the ticket counter, we soon had tickets in hand and were on our way to the elevator and the long ride to the top.
inal documents, period photographs, architectural sketches, construction notes and photos walk visitors through the creation of the iconic skyscraper. It is here where you get your first glimpses of Manhattan from a bird’s eye view through the large windows that line this floor.
Taking the elevator, once again, we reached the 86th floor Observatory. When people imagine visiting the Empire State Building, this is what they think of…the wrap-around deck that gives 360 degree open-air views of the Big Apple.
Since we had been out walking most of the day, we decided that it would be nice to relax on one of the boat tours. Booking a five o’clock departure, we had hoped to be completed in order to have an early dinner. Starting out near the front of Central Station, we cruised along the front of the station and out into the IJ before circling back to our starting point. Finally, we headed into the canals and admired the beautiful pieces along the way.
The pulpit, an elaborately designed piece by Pierre Elysee van den Bossche highlights the left of the structure as well as the 19th century Sauer organ at the rear of the church. The German organ was built in 1889 and attracts large numbers of world renowned organists from around the world during the International Organ Concert Series every summer. These musicians treasure the opportunity to not only enjoy the music from this magnificent instrument, but to perform on it as well.
Watching Banksy Does New York with my children, I was fascinated. People scrutinize the internet in order to find his pieces, located on walls, streets, bridges and self-built prop pieces in cities throughout the world, before they are removed or defaced. Some are just quick stencils on the sides of buildings. Some have moving parts or actually move through the city, but most have strong political and social statements and almost all are quite humorous.
The displays were split between the upper and lower floors of the museum, and was combined with an exhibit on Salvador Dali on the basement floor. Starting on the top floor, first stopping to admire his piece, Forgive Us For Our Trespassing on the staircase landing, we made our way through each of the themed rooms, Anti-capitalism, Laugh Now, Weaponry, There Is Always Hope and CCTV highlighting some of his classics like Laugh Now and Girl with Balloon.
