One view from the Seine, with the Grand Palais in the distance
When Experienced Travellers yearn for something nautical, they buy a one-day ticket on the Batobus, Paris’ water-taxi. You can ride the circuit, or get on and off at different stops and sightsee. Batobus gives you city transport while you rest and admire Paris from the river. How splendid!
The romantic Pont Neuf, near the tip of the Ile de la Cite
There are 37 bridges in Paris spanning the Seine. The oldest of them is the Pont Neuf. Completed in 1607 during the reign of Henry IV, it has a reputation as the most romantic bridge in Paris. But before it became a romantic venue, it was a center of petty criminal and commercial activity.
In this century, the artist Christo wrapped the Pont Neuf in sand-colored fabric. This might qualify as either criminal or commercial activity, depending on your point of view.
An address to admire: the Ile St.-Louis in the center of Paris
The Ile St.-Louis is a most prestigious address, and a very good retirement plan if you’re lucky enough to call it home. At one time, it was used to graze cattle. Today the most popular grazing is at Berthillion – arguably the best ice cream in Paris.
Why do I think George Clooney has a home in the Ile? Well if he does, he is in stellar company. Baudelaire, French poet, essayist and notable laudanum addict was briefly a resident here. And Proust placed Charles Swann’s home on the Ile.
In addition to quiet wealth and aristocracy, there’s also shopping. The Rue St. Louis-en-Ile is lined with boutiques, food stores and small designer clothing shops.
Shopping on the Rue St. Louis-en-Ile
Our Batobus comes upon Notre Dame from the west, where the Ile St. Louis almost nudges the Ile de la Cite.
This makes anyone a photographer. You can't get a bad picture with this kind of material
The banks of the Seine are justly famous as the perfect place for a rendez-vous with a certain someone. As always in France, the tradition continues. This couple was occupied with La Gloire as we waited for the next Batobus.
With the Louvre as their backdrop, this couple carries on a deep intellectual conversation
As the boat pulled alongside the Eiffel Tower stop, we were glad we remembered the Batobus and had a day of riparian delights on the banks of the Seine.
The trinket sellers will drive you made, but a view of the Eiffel Tower is on every ET's list.
You don’t have to take an expensive Bateau Mouche dinner cruise to enjoy Paris from the Seine. I feel in my bones that this is somehow “found money”, but I need to make a few calculations to confirm this.
From my archives - The Concergierie towers on the Ile de al Cite
Julie's Paris 