Which river runs through Paris?

The Seine is the river that runs through Paris. It crosses the French capital from southeast to northwest, passing landmarks such as Notre-Dame, the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower before continuing toward the English Channel.

The Seine rises near Source-Seine in northeastern France and flows about 777 kilometers to the sea near Le Havre and Honfleur. In Paris, its banks and islands helped shape the city's history, commerce and layout. The Île de la Cité, one of the city's historic centers, sits in the river and is home to Notre-Dame Cathedral.

The river is also a major part of Parisian culture and tourism. Numerous bridges cross it, including the Pont Neuf and Pont Alexandre III, while sightseeing boats travel along the central stretch. The historic banks of the Seine in Paris have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1991.

The Rhône, Rhine and Loire are also important French or European rivers, but none is the river flowing through Paris.