The Seine River is A Must-See When in Paris

The Seine River is one of the most beautiful views in Paris, whether seen by a long walk along its banks or from one of the excellent tour boats.

The river flows nearly 500 miles from Dijon through Paris and then into the English Channel. Just the short section that flows through the city is enough to see its glory.

As the sun sets, you can see the Eiffel Tower change from cocoa to gold as dusk fades to dark. The lights along the pillars spiraling to a bright peak are one of the many must-see sights from the Seine.

Many famous bridges join the Left Bank and the Right Bank. The oldest is Pont Neuf, though ironically the name means "new bridge." Henry III laid the first stone in 1578. The construction continued into the reign of Henry IV and was finally completed in 1607.

One of its newer cousins, Pont d'Austerlitz, was constructed from 1854 to 1885. Its five cast iron arches span over 100 feet and it rests on four piers and two abutments. It has been widened twice from its original 43 feet to its present 98 feet.

While these two bridges represent age and youth, Pont Alexander represents beauty. Opened in 1900, the Alexander III connects Grand Palais on the right bank to Invalides on the left. The large pillars are decorated by a bronze Pegasus and the large lampposts are surrounded by cherubs; it is among Paris' most artistic public works.

Visitors can enjoy a glass of wine while the lights come on along the Left bank's famous Montparnasse area. Large tour boats also offer lunch or dinner. Flat boats accessible from Pont Neuf offer tours in French and English and several glide as far as the Eiffel Tower and back past Notre Dame.

From the boat tour exit, it's just a short walk to many other tourist attractions. Just a walk down the bank is one of the finest art museums in the world, the MusÈe d'Orsay, with several small shops and galleries along the way.

Be sure to walk down the stone steps to the river itself and see the bridges from underneath as well.