Love On La Seine

By: Sylvie Reitman

Love. Without it, we would be lost. Babies wouldn't survive. People wouldn't have any rhyme or reason. We are thankful for love and the many ways we can show and experience it.

Some people exude love, some cities exude love. One such city is Paris; with its ancient reminders of civilizations and love relationships gone by. Emotions long since gone and buried. And, in this city, where old love once bloomed, new love blooms for'er more.timeless and flowing like the River Seine.

The River Seine with its clearly defined path meandering through ancient Paris. Inviting, beckoning, changing.

Hundreds of years ago, this waterway which embraces Paris and its people, was once famous for its delicious water and abundance of fish. Today, there is still some fishing. And some of the Parisian water does still come from the Seine, upriver, where it is also purified. The city's drinking water also comes from springs just outside of the city. The river's depth is approximately 26 feet and moves languidly, as does time, upon the river.

The murkiness of the Seine's water is not due to pollution, but mainly because of the slow movement and silt. The river's waters are known to rise during the winter through early spring months. The slow moving waterway is freight-worthy and opens to the Atlantic Ocean. It is often an inspiring sight to see a working barge and then shortly after to see a group of musical bohemians. The combination of work, song and drink is all very French.

In keeping with the romantic expectation of France and especially Paris, is the ability to tour the city via the Seine, on a bateaux, boat. There are different boats available for touring. Some are larger than others and some serve dinner, lunch, etc., and still others are smaller and simply tour. So, depending on your mood and liking, any type of romance is possible.

The bateaux mouche rides are available mostly from April to November. The ride is breathtaking and the view of the city and its popular sites are spectacular. The centuries old architectural and reminders of battle scars and changing of regimes is ever-present along this waterway tour. The boats glide from well beyond the Ile de la Cite, and around the French Statue of Liberty, viewing everything from a side of Notre Dame, rarely, if ever shown and recognized, to Pont Neuf, and the Eiffel Tower and everything in between.

The activity on the right and left banks seems a world away as the boat glides through the flowing waterway. Life off of the boat stands still until your feet touch the terra firma, once again.

The fresh air, beauty and inspiring history are enough to fill anyone's senses. Add to that the arms of the one you love and time on the Seine will stop, engraving the moment deep within the heart.

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