Seine
The Seine is a 777-kilometre-long (483 mi) river in northern France. Its drainage basin is in the Paris Basin covering most of northern France. It rises at Source-Seine, 30 kilometres (19 mi) northwest of Dijon in northeastern France in the Langres plateau, flowing through Paris and into the English Channel at Le Havre. It is navigable by ocean-going vessels as far as Rouen, 120 kilometres (75 mi) from the sea. Over 60 percent of its length, as far as Burgundy, is negotiable by large barges and most tour boats, and nearly its whole length is available for recreational boating; excursion boats offer sightseeing tours of the river banks in the capital city, Paris.
Some of the key events about Seine
- 52 BCEThe first recorded settlement along the Seine, Lutetia, was established by a Celtic tribe
- 52 BCRoman forces defeated Gallic tribes in a major battle near the Seine
- 885The Seine played a crucial role in defending Paris against Viking invasions
- 885Vikings laid siege to Paris, sailing up the Seine and causing widespread destruction
- 1214The University of Paris was founded on the Left Bank of the Seine
- 1431The ashes of Joan of Arc were scattered into the Seine after her execution
- 1578Construction of the Pont Neuf, the oldest standing bridge across the Seine in Paris, began
- 1795Thousands of bodies were dumped into the Seine during the Reign of Terror
- 1802The first metal bridge over the Seine, the Pont des Arts, was constructed
- 1867The Seine hosted the World's Fair, showcasing technological advancements and cultural exhibits
- 1900The Seine was the venue for the swimming events during the Paris Olympics
- 1910Despite severe flooding, Parisians demonstrated resilience and solidarity in facing the Seine's overflow
- 1910The Great Flood of Paris caused the Seine to rise 8.62 meters, devastating the city
- 1944German forces destroyed bridges over the Seine during their retreat from Normandy
- 1961Dozens of Algerian protesters were killed and thrown into the Seine by police
- 1976A severe drought caused the Seine's water levels to drop dramatically, impacting navigation
- 1991UNESCO designated the banks of the Seine in Paris as a World Heritage Site
- 1999An oil tanker spilled 250 tons of oil into the Seine, causing significant environmental damage
- 2002The annual Paris-Plages event was inaugurated, transforming the Seine's banks into temporary beaches
- 2018The Seine flooded to near-record levels, forcing evacuations and causing millions in damage
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