The Seine, an iconic river, has given its name to several departments such as Hauts-de-Seine and Seine-Saint-Denis, as well as many cities like Neuilly-sur-Seine and Asnières-sur-Seine.
Yet its name might actually be… a mistake. In hydrography, when two rivers meet, the one with the greater flow is supposed to give its name to the smaller one. However, at their confluence, it is the Yonne that has the higher flow. Technically, the Seine should therefore have been called… the Yonne.
So why does it bear this name? The answer dates back to ancient times. The name “Seine” is believed to come from Sequana, a Gallic goddess associated with water and springs. Known for her healing powers and her ability to grant wishes, she was worshipped near the river’s source, whose waters were considered exceptionally pure—even miraculous.
A fascinating legend… though we wouldn’t recommend testing its powers yourself!
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