Photo Walk by the Seine, Paris

In this post, I want to share, through photos, the walk that I often took after getting to Paris, by Seine, in the center of the city. I would get off at the stop Saint-Michel after taking the Metro 4 from Gare de l’Est (I lived in the suburbs where I worked as an assistant teacher). Walking by the Seine is a different experience altogether, and if you allow me to be a little dramatic, it’s downright enlightening. Sometimes, I would finish my classes and take the train to Paris in the evening, just to do this seemingly short walk. Then, I would stop by at a bakery to pick up a tart and coffee, and head back home. How very European of me.

The Notre-Dame

If you’re like me, you’ll start the walk at the infamous cathedral. The following picture was taken before the fire of 15th April 2019. Luck’s been on my side, as I was able to visit the church many times before it closed to the public. I also have many pictures of myself in its gardens during cherry blossom season (you need to do it for the ‘gram)!

Right by the Notre-Dame, hidden behind a thicket of trees is the popular bookstore Shakespeare and Company. It is impossible to get into on the weekends. I once had to wait in line on a Saturday on a cold February afternoon because people were still interested to have a look while freezing at its doorstep.

I can’t blame them, it lives up to its hype.

Quai Saint-Michel

Walking ahead from the Notre-Dame, you will reach Quai Saint-Michel. To your right, there is a beautiful square, but ahead, there are gorgeous views.

Walking further down by the river, you will realize that it’s always a good idea to look back.

Pont Neuf

This bridge is called the “New Bridge”, except that it’s the oldest bridge in Paris, dating back to 1607. Since it was the first bridge in the city without any houses built on it, it got this name. You’ll be able to hear more tidbits about Parisian history on the Seine cruise, the boats for which leave from under this bridge. Tickets cost € 14 for adults, and the boats leave usually leave every half an hour.

And while these photos are taken during the day, I’d suggest going on the Seine cruise at night. The bridges, and Paris itself, is a sight to behold at night.

And once again, you want to look back to see what architecture the city has to offer.

Pont des Arts

Since you can’t take a picture of the famous lock bridge – with barely any locks now – from the bridge itself, you have to stand at a distance as it spans out in front of you.

On the left, the Eiffel Tower is just peeking out, and on the right, the Louvre awaits you.

The building with the flag flapping on it is a part of the Louvre museum, which you can now enter. Don’t worry, the Seine will be by your side the whole time, just out of reach.

The Louvre

Just one picture isn’t enough. Especially when the light is right.

Jardins des Tuileries

Going through the courtyard of the Louvre, you’ll reach the Tuileries gardens. My favourite spot is this one, where the obelisk of Place de la Concorde and the Arc the Triomphe align.

To your right, separated by the Seine, is Musee d’Orsay. Letting you in on a little secret: I much preferred Orsay to the Louvre. But that’s probably my bias of contemporary art talking. While you’re in the gardens, you can bask in the sun by its fountains:

And realize that the best time to come here is Spring, when the sun is shining. And everything is green, not dreary like this one winter tree in the picture that didn’t get the memo.

I wanted to add pictures of Pont Alexandre III, the most beautiful bridge in Paris. But on this day, I was too tired to take more pictures. Usually, I headed back on the banks of the Seine and walked till that bridge, and sometimes I would just walk all the way to Champs-Élysées. But on this day, I took a turn to Rue de Rivoli, got on the main road and went to Eric Kayser. Their coffee is quite good, but their tarts are even better.

If you want to see more pictures of wonderful Parisian locations, you can find the ones I took at Montmartre here. For more photos of Paris, follow me on Instagram here.