Seine River

I flow like a silver ribbon through a city of twinkling lights. I gurgle happily as I pass under fancy bridges, each one decorated with carvings of smiling faces and strong lions. On my shimmering surface, I reflect a tall iron tower that pokes the clouds and a grand old church with beautiful windows. I carry happy boats full of people who wave as they float along with me. They love to watch the city sparkle from my gentle waves. I have been here for a very long time, watching this city grow and shine. My story is the story of this wonderful place. I am the Seine River, and I flow right through the heart of Paris, France.

My journey began a very, very long time ago, even before there were stone buildings or tall towers. Around the year 250 BCE, a group of people called the Parisii tribe found my banks. They saw an island right in my middle and said, “This is the perfect place to build our home.” Their little village grew and grew. Over hundreds of years, it became a great city. In the year 1163, people began building one of the most famous churches in the world, the Notre Dame Cathedral, on that very same island. It was like they were giving me a beautiful crown to wear. As more people came, they needed a way to get from one side of me to the other. “Let’s build strong bridges.” they said. In the year 1578, they started working on a beautiful stone bridge called the Pont Neuf. It is my oldest bridge still standing today. Many years later, in the 1800s, artists would bring their easels and paints to sit by my side. A famous painter named Claude Monet loved to watch how the sunlight danced on my water. He painted me over and over, trying to capture my sparkle.

Today, my life is full of joy and music. I am a happy river, always busy. Big glass boats called Bateaux Mouches float on my surface, taking visitors on tours to see all the amazing sights. People love to walk along my stone banks, which are called 'quais.' They sit and read, eat picnics, and watch me flow by. Along the quais, booksellers open up big green boxes that turn into little shops, selling old books and colorful pictures. My banks are so special and full of history that in 1991, they were named a UNESCO World Heritage site. That means I am a treasure for the whole world to enjoy and protect. I connect the city's amazing past with its bright and busy present. I carry stories in my currents and reflect the happy faces of friends from all over the world who come to say hello.