Source of the Seine River, River source in Source-Seine, France.
The source of the Seine River emerges where several underground springs converge in a wooded area of the Côte-d'Or department. Water flows through small ditches and pathways guide visitors through this natural birth point of the river.
The site drew pilgrims in the 1st century BC as a sacred place and later faced closure of its temples in the 4th century when Roman Emperor Theodosius I. sought to end pagan worship. This religious transformation marked a major shift in the area's significance.
A grotto at the site contains sculptures, including a statue of the nymph Sequana, showing how Celtic and Roman peoples connected spiritually to this water source. You can see these carvings today and sense how sacred people considered this place to be.
The site is owned by the city of Paris and features walking paths for visitors to explore the spring area. Information panels guide you through the location and help explain what makes this place the river's true beginning.
The name Seine comes from an ancient Celtic word meaning goddess, which shows how deeply people connected spirituality to this water. Multiple hidden springs meet precisely at this spot to birth the river that flows all the way to the sea.
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