The Source of the Seine
The Langres plateau is where several rivers in France have their source: the Marne, the Aube, the Meuse... and the Seine, which springs forth in the territory of a municipality named Source-Seine, at 446 metres in altitude. Located in Côte-d'Or, some forty kilometres north-west of Dijon in Burgundy, the site of the Seine's sources, bought by the City of Paris 1864, is nowadays a listed Natural Area of Ecological, Floristic and Faunistic Interest. Located next to secondary road 103, the landscaped park includes a romantic grotto designed by Baltard during the rule of Napoleon III, where the main source springs forth. A white stone nymph symbolises the river there. Remains of a Gallo-Roman sanctuary dedicated to the Goddess Sequana, after whom the river is named, were discovered on the site. Pilgrims attributed healing properties to these springs: many ex-votos found in the sanctuary are evidence of this. Today, they are on display at Dijon Archaeological Museum.
Take the time to enjoy a stroll in the superb, green park, which has a dedicated picnic area.
Take the time to enjoy a stroll in the superb, green park, which has a dedicated picnic area.