The Seine riverbanks at a glance
The Seine banks are part of the story of Paris. Since 1991 UNESCO has listed "Paris, Banks of the Seine". The listing covers a historic ensemble of river banks and the buildings and bridges along them in the city. It is not a blanket listing of every riverside path, and not of the whole river.
For visitors the banks mean three things. There is the Parc Rives de Seine, a car-free promenade of about 7 km on both banks for people on foot and on bikes. There is Paris Plages, a summer event with beach-style activities. And there are the bouquinistes, the second-hand booksellers whose green boxes line the upper quays.
This is an independent guide. It is not run by the city or by any of the sellers or operators mentioned.
Three ways to use the banks
What each one is and when it applies.
| What | Where | When | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parc Rives de Seine | Both banks, about 7 km in total | For walking and cycling; follow closure signs | Free |
| Paris Plages | On the Rives de Seine | 4 July to 30 August 2026; the next edition is in 2027 | Free access |
| Bouquinistes | Upper quays, about 3 km | At least 4 days a week, except in bad weather | – |
Follow the signs on site, because sections and access points vary. The Jardin Federico García Lorca, at the Port de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, is one access point and closes in strong wind or storms.
Seine boat trips and river tours
See the banks from the water. Compare trips by length, time of day and price.
Walking the quays
What to expect along the river.
The car-free promenade
The Parc Rives de Seine runs along both banks and is meant for people on foot and on bikes. At the Port de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, the Jardin Federico García Lorca has a walkway from the upper quay down to the water, and a Batobus stop lies in the same area. Do not assume every riverside area has the same opening hours.
Paris Plages
This summer event took place on the Rives de Seine from 4 July to 30 August 2026, with free access. The offer described by the city ran from 10:00 to 22:00, but the sports, swimming and food offers do not all keep the same hours. The next edition is in 2027. Check the dates before you plan a trip around it.
High water
The Parc Rives de Seine lies in an area covered by a flood risk plan. Closures ordered by the city or the police must be respected. When the river is high, boat routes can also change. Read more on the best time page.
Paris Plages and the river
Paris Plages is separate from the three supervised bathing sites. For swimming, see the swimming page.
The bouquinistes
The green boxes on the upper quays.
The bouquinistes sell second-hand books from boxes fixed to the parapets. They stretch over about 3 km. On the right bank they run from the Pont Marie to the Pont des Arts, and on the left bank from the Pont Sully to the Pont Royal.
The city requires them to open at least four days a week, except in bad weather. There is no shared opening schedule, so a box that is shut on one visit may be open on the next.
The city's administration lists 240 pitches, almost 1,000 boxes and more than 300,000 books. That counts pitches, not active sellers, so do not read it as a number of traders.
In 2019 the bouquinistes' traditions were added to the French list of intangible cultural heritage. This is separate from the 1991 UNESCO listing of the banks, and the bouquinistes are not a UNESCO site of their own.
Reaching the banks by Batobus
One way to move along the river without walking all of it.
The Batobus is a hop-on-hop-off boat with 9 stops: Tour Eiffel, Invalides, Musée d'Orsay, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Notre Dame, Jardin des Plantes, Hôtel de Ville, Louvre and Place de la Concorde. In 2026 a 24-hour pass costs €23 for adults and a 48-hour pass €27. You can board at any stop, and the boat does not run at night. See the Batobus page.
Next to the banks
Pages that fit a walk along the water.
Île Saint-Louis
A quiet island walk with a bathing site opposite in summer.
Bridges of Paris
Pont Neuf, Pont des Arts and the Pont Alexandre III.
Musée d'Orsay
The former station on the left bank.
On the right bank, the Louvre stands at the water's edge, and the Île de la Cité with Notre-Dame lies along the same stretch of river.
Seine riverbanks: frequently asked questions
Are the Seine riverbanks a UNESCO site?
Yes, "Paris, Banks of the Seine" has been listed since 1991. It covers a historic ensemble in the city, not every path and not the whole river.
Are the bouquinistes a UNESCO site?
No. The banks were listed in 1991. The traditions of the bouquinistes have been part of French intangible cultural heritage since 2019.
How many bouquinistes are there?
The city's administration lists 240 pitches and almost 1,000 boxes. That is a count of pitches, not of active sellers.
When are the bouquinistes open?
They must open at least four days a week, except in bad weather. There are no common hours, so opening varies from box to box.
When is Paris Plages?
In 2026 it ran from 4 July to 30 August. The next edition is in 2027. Check the dates before you go.
Can I walk along the Seine all day?
The Parc Rives de Seine is a car-free promenade of about 7 km on both banks. Parts can close at high water, so follow the signs.