It was the event film of the summer of 2024 for Netflix in France. ‘Sous la Seine’ (Under the Seine), which imagines a shark attacking the Parisian capital in the middle of a sporting event, has topped 100 million views on the platform. A record for a French production. We take you on a trip along this mythical river, a Parisian symbol par excellence, to discover some of the most not-to-be-missed places, and some of the least-known.
10am: The Seguin and Saint-Germain islands
Île Seguin, Boulogne-Billancourt, France- To start your walk along the Seine, don't head for Paris, but for Boulogne-Billancourt, at the Pont de Sèvres metro station. From there, you can see a strange, round, metal building on the Ile Seguin. Built on the site of the giant Renault factories, it is the Seine Musicale, a concert hall where international artists such as Bjork, The Killers, Woodkid and even Bob Dylan perform. It is also home to the legendary musical Starmania, a pop monument of French culture. Be sure to keep an eye out for the programme at La Seine Musicale when you come to Paris.
- After a quick trip along the riverbank, you're back on the island of Saint-Germain. On this island with its agricultural past, don't miss the Tour au figures, a monumental work by Jean Dubuffet erected in 1988, its many parks, and above all its ‘petit bras’, along which numerous barges are moored. A bucolic setting of intoxicating beauty.
11am: Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower...
Statue de la Liberté, Pont de Grenelle, Paris, France- For the next meeting point, there are two options. Walk along the Seine and make a diversion via the Parc André Citroën. Or take the RER C to Issy-Val de Seine and exit at Javel. This is the start of a well-known stretch of the Seine. Take the Pont de Grenelle, one of 37 bridges along the Seine in Paris, and you'll catch a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty. Or at least a 9-metre-high replica of it, standing at the southern end of Ile aux Cygnes. There are five other Statues of Liberty in Paris, including an original plaster cast not to be missed at the Musée des Arts et Métiers.
- As you walk up the Allée des Cygnes, don't forget to take a look at the Maison de la Radio et de la Musique, the nerve centre of the national radio media. And once you've reached the Pont Bir Hakeim, head down to the left bank and cross the Promenade d'Australie, which offers you a magnificent view of both the Seine and the Eiffel Tower, towering into the sky above the trees. After a last look at the statue of the Roman Cavalier and the Trocadero on the other side of the river, cross the Pont d'Iéna. Slowly, the historic centre of the capital appears on the horizon.
12.30pm: The most beautiful bridges in Paris
Pont des Arts, Pont des Arts, Paris, France- After the remarkable Passerelle Debilly, which offers another original view of the Eiffel Tower, your stroll along the Seine takes you to the Pont de l'Alma. As well as the famous Zouave, a statue that serves as a flood marker, you'll also notice the Flame of Liberty, another reference to Franco-American friendship. This monument was also the gathering point for the tributes paid to Princess Diana after the accident that claimed her life in 1997.
- After passing through the Jardin d'Erivan, don't hesitate to take a stroll over the various bridges in the district, such as the Pont Invalides for a diversion to the urban art centre Fluctuart, or the Pont Alexandre III for a coffee at the legendary Rosa Bonheur. Once you've crossed the Pont de La Concorde, we recommend that you take the time to wander through the Jardin des Tuileries, take a photo of the Louvre Museum, then return to the Quai François Mitterrand to resume your exploration, cross the Pont du Carrousel and make a short diversions to 13 quai Voltaire. Here you will see the narrowest building in the city: just 2.5 metres wide! If you're a fan of his music, the Maison Gainsbourg, recently opened to the public, is just next door, on rue Verneuil.
- A photo a few metres later on the Pont des Arts, and you've arrived in the historic heart of Paris.
3pm: The historic heart of Paris
Île de la Cité, Paris, France- After a well-deserved lunch break in one of the many Parisian brasseries, don't miss the Ile de la Cité: its weeping willow, its Sainte-Chapelle, and of course Notre-Dame Cathedral, which is currently undergoing major repairs. It's also on its forecourt that you'll be able to spot a surprising symbolic element: the Point Zéro des routes de France, from which distances to the capital are measured. The archaeological crypt, also easily accessible from the forecourt, offers a fascinating insight into the history of the island and how it has evolved over the centuries.
- In addition to these must-see sites, there are a few other nooks and crannies on the Ile de la Cité that are well worth a visit. The Queen Elizabeth II Flower Market, with its wrought-iron pavilions and two Wallace fountains listed as historic monuments, and the Conciergerie and its Clock Tower are well worth a visit. It was here that Marie-Antoinette was detained and sentenced to death during the French Revolution.
- Then take the Île Saint-Louis for an ice cream at Berthillon, say hello to Marie Curie's house or relax in the Square Barye. Then return to the Pont de Sully to begin the final chapter of your stroll along the Seine.
4.30pm: from the Jardin des Plantes to the Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand.
Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand, Quai François Mauriac, Paris, France- If you have time, take a trip to the Institut du Monde Arabe, where numerous exhibitions and cultural events are held throughout the year. Alternatively, walk along the Quai Saint-Bernard into the Jardin des Plantes. As well as the Menagerie, the Grandes Serres and the Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle, we recommend you visit the Jardin Alpin, accessible via an underground passage hidden in the garden of the École de Botanique. A fascinating recreation of mountain plants and rock, it's a real corner of paradise.
- Before setting off again for a stroll along the Seine, don't hesitate to have a cup of tea at the Grande Mosquée de Paris, then make your way slowly towards the Cité de la Mode et du Design, where you'll see the highlight of your day: the Passerelle Simone de Beauvoir. From here, you can admire the majestic towers of the Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand, and if you wish, make your way to the soothing gardens and fountains of the Cour Saint-Emilion. It's the perfect way to round off a day spent exploring Paris by water.
- One last tip for this stroll along the Seine: keep an eye on the Seine and its wildlife. There may not be any threatening sharks like in the Netflix film ‘Sous la Seine’, but you might spot some catfish on the surface of the water, as well as seabirds such as gulls and wild ducks. It's sure to be a fascinating encounter!
Tips and recommendations
This itinerary, which takes you up the Seine throughout the day, can seem long. While the banks of the river are well laid out for pedestrians, don't hesitate to opt for public transport if necessary - the RER C in the south-west of Paris, or line 1 in the centre - to reduce journey times on certain parts of the route. The Vélib' self-service bicycle hire scheme is also very practical, thanks to the many cycle lanes!
By The editor
The editorial staff of France.fr follows the trends and news of destinations to bring you stories from France that reveal its innovations and traditions that make you long to (re) discover its territories.
