‘This is the only time we’ll ever be able to see the river like this!’ exclaims French star chef Alain Ducasse, in awe at the empty Seine, as we glide along silently on his electric floating restaurant. Except for our boat, the water is empty – a contrast to the usual hive of activity. Without visitors, the bateaux mouches, various vedettes and cruise boats are all docked in a lifeless clump clinging to the banks, their rows and rows of shiny orange plastic seats spookily empty.
