This one caught our eye(s). Loosely translated, it reads:
“Emperor Julian, who resided in Lutetia [the name of Paris in antiquity] between A.D. 357 and 360, left us a very nice description of the city:
Julian (d .363), the last non-Christian emperor of the Roman Empire, was elevated to the top job by his troops at Lutetia in A.D. 360.
I was in winter quarters in my beloved Lutetia. It is a very small island, protected by a surrounding rampart, that is only accessible by two wooden bridges. The river, in the middle of which it is situated, glides tranquilly along: its water is so clear that it is very pleasant to contemplate; it is also very good to drink, and so inhabitants of the area come to the river to draw it. Winters are not severe there, and the climate is so clement that you see high-quality [grape] vines growing in the surrounding countryside, as well as some fig trees, although it can get cold enough in the wintertime that those need to be cloaked in straw.”
So… the Seine was once known for its fine water. Wow! Can you imagine wandering over to the embankment these days, dipping your cupped hands in the river, and taking a sip? No thank you. Having said that, the organizers of next year’s Olympic Games in Paris intend to improve the Seine’s water quality enough that athletes will be able safely to swim in it. THAT…will be an environmental engineering achievement.