The river that flows through Paris and divides its historic center is the Seine. The river passes between the Left Bank and Right Bank and around the Île de la Cité.
The Seine rises on the Plateau of Langres in eastern France and runs for about 777 kilometers before reaching the English Channel. Paris developed around river crossings and islands, making the waterway central to the city’s growth.
Several famous landmarks stand beside the Seine, including Notre-Dame, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower. The historic banks of the river in Paris were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991.
The Seine is often confused with the Thames because both pass through major European capitals. The Thames runs through London, while the Seine is the defining river of Paris. The name “Seine” comes from the Latin Sequana.