Personal Reflections on an Eternal River

Everyone who lives near the Seine has their own relationship with the river. For joggers, it's a companion on morning runs. For lovers, it's the most romantic backdrop in the world. For the homeless, it's often a last refuge. For commuters, it's a landmark that orients their daily journey.

"I've lived by the Seine for 40 years," reflects Thérèse Petit, who runs a flower shop near the Pont Royal. "I've seen the water high and low, clear and murky, frozen in winter and sparkling in summer. The river is like life—always changing but always the same. It teaches you patience, continuity, the long view."

For recent arrivals to Paris, the Seine often provides the first sense of belonging. "When I came from Syria, everything was strange," recalls Ahmad Habib, who arrived as a refugee in 2015. "The language, the food, the customs. But the river—water is water everywhere. Sitting by the Seine, watching it flow, I could breathe. I could think. It was the first place in Paris where I felt peace."