Bridge over the Seine River, Paris, France

The Seine River passes through Paris, France, and is pivotal in this ancient city's history. In the 3rd century BCE, a Celtic tribe called the Parisii decided to settle on an island between the Seine's banks on what is known today as Ile de la Cité. Over the following centuries, the river played a central role in the city's development into a global hub for commerce and culture.
© StockByM/Getty Images