Which Bank is This?

Tourists are often confused about the terms "right bank" and "left bank" and will spend hours on the street corners of Paris with crumpled maps trying to orient themselves and figure out which side of the riverbank they are standing on. The system is very simple and was devised because the Seine's curvy nature often does make orientation difficult.
The trick is to remember when you face DOWNRIVER the left bank is on your left and the right bank is on your right. If you can't tell left from right at this point you shouldn't be traveling alone. If you can't figure out which way the water is flowing (don't look at the boats, they go upstream too!) drop a potato chip or look for some debris and see which way it's floating. Once you're sure of your directions, you'll be able to make it to the Café Les Deux Magots on time, and not end up at La Defense instead.Read more