The Seine on Canvas

Walk along the Banks of the Seine near Asnières

This print, titled Walk along the Banks of the Seine near Asnières, was painted by van Gogh in 1887 when he lived in Asnières.

Asnières is a suburb 5 miles out of the center of Paris and was a popular artist's commune at the turn of the 20th century. Many impressionists, including Gauguin, Renoir and van Gogh, flocked to this idyllic community along the Seine to live and set up their easels.

The Seine on Canvas

Banks of the Seine, Vétheuil

Depicted here by Claude Monet, the Seine has countless landmarks along its banks. Notre Dame Cathedral sits along its shore, as does the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Grand Palais, Musee d'Orsay and the Hotel des Invalides. Monet, one of the founders of French Impressionist art, painted many of his most famous works when he lived along the Seine in Argenteuil.

The Seine on Canvas

Bougival 1876

The Seine is captured here by the artist Alfred Sisley, depicting one of the more than three dozen bridges inside the city that cross the river. Some of the most famous include the Pont Louis-Philippe and Pont Neuf, the latter which dates back to 1607. Dozens more span its waters outside of the city. Some examples include the Pont de Normandie, one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the world.

The Seine on Canvas

The Seine at Asnières

The Seine is arguably the heart of Paris. Its waters have flowed in and out for centuries, and it was the main route of transportation and protection for Paris. Tours by boat are highly recommended (especially at night) for a new and charming perspective of the city of lights.

Above is the Seine as painted by Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

The Passerelle Simone-de-Beauvoir

The Passerelle Simone-de-Beauvoir is a beautiful addition to the city and the 37th bridge crossing the Seine.

The bridge, designed with the curvy lines of a woman in mind, is meant for cyclists and pedestrians only, and is dedicated to the French author/feminist Simone de Beauvoir.

Where does the bridge lead to? The French National Library, bien sûr.