When most people think of Paris, they think of the usual famous landmarks; the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe or the Notre-Dame cathedral to name a few. There is lots to see and do in the French capital, and many wonders lie in store for each visitor. Of course, while each sighting of these marvels is magnificent and wonderful to behold, Paris has even more to offer!
Paris has one famous river, the river Seine, and the remnants of what was once the river Bièvre, the latter having flowed into the former at one time. Let’s discuss both further below.
A Historic Trail
Before we delve into the rivers of today, let’s first consider the waterways of days gone by. The river Bièvre used to flow strongly and was sourced from Versailles. It is now a shallow stream that trickles by the outlying areas of the capital. Today, Bièvre flows quaintly through the outskirts of Paris and fades away almost completely as it winds its way toward the inner city, thereby heading underground.
Still, it’s perfect for an expedition. The river Bièvre now has a small hiking industry built around it, whereby enthusiasts can follow the trail of where it once was through stunning woodland and occasional tributes. There’s still a lot to see and learn, even if it’s not derived from rushing waves or intriguing barges sailing on past. For example, its natural course has been altered to supply water for an abbey and is now key to the rainwater system too. It’s subtle and understated, but still interesting.
In any event, Paris has a lot to offer in the way of adventure, as proven by the versatility of camping in Paris which allows people to undertake self-catering and mobile home holidays. In the end, while it’s perhaps not quite as impressive as The River Seine, there’s a lot of history the Bièvre can offer. All of which one can map and chart with all the thrill of an explorer.
The River Seine
The River Seine is the main draw for Paris’ water appeal. It flows right through the centre of the city. Restaurant barges and tourist barges frequently sail up and down the length of the 780-kilometre-long (485 miles) river, aptly demonstrating its enduring appeal. It’s also used for travel and trade too, which means it’s just as commercially busy as any road or footpath in a nation’s capital city.
Of course, the Bièvre isn’t prone to flooding these days due to its shallow depth and remote locale. The same can’t be said for the Seine, which flooded the Paris banks as recently as January this year, causing problems all over the French capital. Metro lines had to be shut down and rats were flushed from their nests and saw fit to freely roam the streets. For all its grandeur and appeal, the Seine isn’t afraid to provide a strong dose of reality.
Nevertheless, like the Bièvre, the Seine has a long and varied history, but the main difference is that it’s attracting a great deal of attention even today. After all, it has been the subject of painters and poets for centuries and was even the subject of bustling Roman river trading. It’s as iconic as any famous landmark the city has, and it’s an astounding tourist destination entirely by its own merit.
*This is a collaborative post*
Featured image river Siene Iakov Kalinin/Shutterstock
I had not heard of the river Bièvre before!