A PLEASURE RIDE ON SEINE

Pont Neuf (1607)

  Throughout our period of stay in Paris, two things or fascinating sights captured our attention, wherever we went by their prominent position -- the river Seine flowing through the heart of Paris with floating boats and bridges spanned across her length with beautiful statues and designs : the second one, undoubtedly the lofty tower of Eiffel with her unique style of construction overlooking the city. On the last day of our trip we had the pleasure of sailing in a luxurious cruise boat on Seine which has many historic monuments and buildings located on both sides. The trip on the cruise affords a bird's eye view of the city of Paris besides providing the pleasure of viewing the graceful movement of the rippling Seine which ids eight meters deep. We got into the most luxurious glass-walled white-colored cruise at Pont d'Alma near the Eiffel Tower. This boat is one of the nine boats maintained by Bateaux Mouches, the most well-known Parisian tour operator serving tourists since 1949. The boat looked very trim and tidy with orange-colored cushioned seats on two tiers. As we were entering in a line, a photographer clicked photos to capture this lively moment. As the boat moved through brown waters, we listened to the audio-commentary in three languages-- English, French and German-- describing the buildings and monuments that came into our view as our boat chugged along. We passed under many bridges which were built across Seine. Nearly thirty-seven bridges exist across this river. The Pont Neuf is the oldest bridge built in 1607. It connects Ile de la cite and another natural island, Ile St.Louis. Pont Charles de Gaulle is the latest construction completed in 1996. The Pont Alexander III is the most spectacular construction built between 1896 and 1900. It was named after Tsar Alexander III who concluded the Franco-Russian alliance in 1892. This bridge connects the area of Champs-Elysses with those of Les Invalides and Eiffel Tower. Outside Paris Pont de Normandie is one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the world linking Le Havre with Honfleur in Normandy, the northern part of Paris. It was started in 1988 and completed in 1995.  
         

Pont  Charles de Gaulle (1996)

Pont de Alexandre (1900)

                     

Pont de Alexandre 

Sculpture of nymphs on Alexander Bridge

  As we sailed, the lofty Eiffel Tower was seen even from distance dominating the other monuments around. This made us realize how this great city is represented by this Tower symbolically in many aspects. On the right side of the bank (North Bank or Rive Droit-- means right bank in French) is seen the Grand Palaice or the National Gallery of Art built in 1900 to house the major Exhibition. Concorde Square with her artistic fountains greeted our sight as if bidding farewell to us. The Triumphal Arch (Arc de Triomphe) commemorating Napoleonic Wars was seen with her grand arches and stout bastions. On the Left or South Bank (Rive Gauche= left bank in French) the Military Hospital and Shelter for war veterans "Les Invalides" was visible with her long retinue of chambers. The Grand Louvre Palace, now turned into a museum, with her imposing structure stood on the right side.  The Notre Dame Cathedral, the most ancient church of Paris of medieval times, with her twin towers and Gothic construction, shone like a crest jewel with pious radiance. In a brief span of time we were able to look at these magnificent monuments from a distance and appreciate their contribution to this city's charm and tradition. 

Pont Normandie (1995)

View of Seine from Pont Normandie

View of Eiffel Tower from the ferry boat

View of Notre Dame from Bateaux Mouches Ferry Boat

  Our boat took a u-turn and we were sailing back. Many tourists climbed up to the upper deck to feel the cool breeze wafting from the flowing river and to click photos of the panoramic view of Paris with her glorious towers, arches and the row of palatial mansions stretching far and wide. Some others went down to the cafe on the lower deck to feed their children with french candies and cookies availing themselves a chance to sip a hot cup of coffee or some drink. It took nearly one hour and fifteen minutes to have a brief view of Paris  from all sides sitting comfortably in our cruise. As soon as we got down we saw rows of photos displayed on the board. Tourists chose to buy them as cherished keepsakes of this happy trip. The ever flowing broad Seine blew a cool and refreshing whiff of breeze, a sort of flying kiss to bid farewell to her leaving guests. 

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10th July, 2016                                                               Somaseshu Gutala