Infographic on the Seine in Paris: key figures, notable facts

In the collective imagination, this river is inseparable from Paris. Who has not dreamed, during a visit to the City of Light, of spending a magic time with a lunch or dinner cruise on the Seine? But you know practically nothing about his river, except that it crosses Paris and runs alongside its most beautiful attractions. Discover, in an infographic, all of the secrets, figures and notable facts about the Seine.

The Seine river from Burgundy to the Channel

It is born in the town of Source-Seine, in the Côte d'Or department in Burgundy.  The Seine, 482,8 miles long, flows into the Channel not far from the city of Havre. It is at the origin of the serpentine stream in the middle of the valleys and prairies which, swollen by numerous river flows such as the Oise, the Aube and even the Marne, fill until they progressively become the giant river that we know.  

The Seine welcomes a vast variety of life, in its waters as in its riverbanks. Improvement in water quality has promoted biodiversity: from 5 species of fish listed in 1960 in Paris, we now have more than 25 different species, including catfish that can reach 7,54 feet and 198,4 pounds: great catches for talented fishermen!

Paris and the Seine river in a few figures

Paris only represents a short flow of the river, which flows for a length of 18 miles. Majestic, its width reaches 656,2 feet and its depth 10 to 20 feet in some places. 

When it is controlled, the Seine becomes  a place for walks and entertainment for Parisians and vacationers.  But sometimes, it can be come a fearsome waterway. In 1910, it overflowed its banks during a hundred year flood, reaching a height of 26 feet. If you go by the Pont de l’Alma, remember that the level of the river has reached as far as the statue of Zouave.

We stroll on the banks of the Seine to bargain hunt for books in the 245 book stalls. Since 2002, in summer, one can bask in the sun during Operation Paris Plages (Operation Paris Beaches). There are also cruises on offer on the Seine, where you can admire the beautiful sites of Paris or share a romantic moment for two. Paris Seine, with 4 boat restaurants, welcomes 100,000 passengers per year. 

The City of Paris sits astride the two banks of the Seine and the river flows gently through it.  The figures speak volumes: with 37 bridges in the capital, 12 metro lines, with three elevated stations, it is easy to  get to one of the two banks, the Île de la Cité, or the Île Saint-Louis.