Seine River Walking Tour With Optional Musée d'Orsay and Seine Cruise

Get to know Paris from the river that gave rise to it — the glorious Seine.

This Seine river walking tour covers the history, highlights, architecture, and so much more of the Seine bridges and sights.

We’ll begin our tour at the Henri IV statue in the middle of the Pont Neuf, the first Parisian bridge built in stone. As you survey Île de la Cité around you, you’ll learn a secret about this island.

Leaving the bridge, continue to the southern bank of the Seine until you reach the Pont des Arts. This bridge dates to the 19th century, but what you’ll love most here is the incredible views. 

At the Pont du Carrousel and Pont Royal, listen to the stories of the Rive Gauche and the Rive Droite — two very different sides — and you’ll understand an important part of Paris’s identity. You’ll also see a familiar icon on the northern bank: the Louvre itself!

Our tour ends outside the Musée d’Orsay. If you’ve upgraded for your skip-the-line museum ticket, you can continue inside this majestic building to see many of the Impressionist paintings France is famous for. Don’t miss Monet’s “Nymphéas bleus” or Renoir’s “Bal au Moulin de Galette.” And there is so much more here to enchant you — not only the paintings but also sculptures, decorative arts, photographs, and a beautiful, sunlit interior. We recommend at least two hours, but art-lovers may want to spend longer!

Tip: Don’t skip the terrace of the museum. It has lovely views of the Seine and the bridges you just explored.

Another optional upgrade is the lovely Seine river boat ride. Cruising down the river you just learned so much about is the perfect complement to this walking tour. Take in the charm of Paris from the water. Your ticket is good for a year, so feel free to enjoy your cruise the same day as your tour or come back later.