Monday, April 1, 2024

5 Best Seine River Cruises in Paris: Your Ultimate Guide

paris river cruise seine

If you depart from near Notre Dame then there is live commentary provided by a live guide in 3 languages (including French and English). This is a more intimate and fun Paris Seine cruise, and it is set in a Belle Epoque atmosphere. Your sommelier will also share stories about the monuments you see along the cruise while you enjoy the breathtaking view of Paris from the water’s edge.

Bateaux Parisiens

Finally, we were not interested in any sort of meal or specialty cruise and the no-frills cruises provided by this company was a good fit for us. For my first Seine River boat tour in 2012 with then partner Ethan, we prioritized location, followed by price, and then narration. After researching the options ourselves, we personally chose Vedettes du Pont Neuf for an evening cruise along the Seine for a few reasons. Les Vedettes du Pont Neuf operates a small fleet of small and medium sized boats and have been operating tourist cruises since the 1960’s. The company offers some of the least expensive Seine River cruises. The main Seine River sightseeing cruises are 2 hours long and combine a canal cruise with a Seine River cruise.

paris river cruise seine

Seine Cruise Types

In general, this Seine River dinner cruise gets good reviews for its food, drinks, and kind staff. The 3-course meal comes with different starters, main dishes, and dessert options, and all the proposals include a glass of champagne. Some boat companies offer two Seine River dinner cruises a day, the first starting around 6 pm and the second starting at 8.30 pm or later. Paris Canal specializes exclusively in 2-hour Paris canal boat tours versus Seine tours. Their small electric boats go through charming lesser-known waterways and locks providing a unique perspective of Paris gardens, bridges, and houseboats compared to major monuments. As well as dinner, Bateaux Mouches® also provide lunch cruises or simple boat tours to explore Paris from the Seine.

Restaurant Cruises

To secure your spot, check rates and availability here and book in advance. Deciding on the best Seine river cruise can feel like navigating a complex maze of options, each more tantalizing than the last. If you are short on time in Paris and interested in seeing a lot of highlights in one day (and do a Seine River cruise), we recommend this full day walking tour. It includes a Louvre tour, visit to Eiffel Tower, Seine River cruise, view of Notre Dame, and visit to Montmartre.

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Marin d’Eau Douce allows you to do just that, taking to the open waters on your very own rental boat. Short hires are restricted to the Bassin de la Villette – Paris’ largest artificial lake – but opt for a longer session and you can explore the various canals that are connected to it. Boats fit five to 11 people and no sailing experience is required. Be aware that lunch cruises on the Seine are highly sought after and tables fill up quickly.

There are a number of departure points depending on which cruise you take, so it is important to check which is right for the cruise you choose. Step-free access via a ramp is available only at the Eiffel Tower stop, and the bottom floor of the boats is wheelchair accessible. However, many of the other stops require steps or have cobbled walkways. Wheelchair accessible toilets are available near their Eiffel Tower dock. If you depart from near the Eiffel Tower, narration is provided through individual audio devices available in 14 languages on the lower part of the boat.

paris river cruise seine

The Canuaxrama boats vary a bit but all have a closed bottom deck and an open-top deck. Most of the boats they use for sightseeing cruises have lower enclosed decks and an upper uncovered deck. First, most Seine cruises last about an hour in duration and stop and end at the same point unless otherwise noted. They also all complete approximately the same circuit although you can check for the exact map for each by going to the companies’ websites.

Seine River Lunch Cruises

The all-inclusive menu offers 3-5 different options (depending on the chosen menu) of starter, main dish, and cheese or dessert, and there’s always at least one vegetarian option for each course. On the bus, you will pass by iconic sites like the Eiffel Tower, the Invalides, the Alexandre III Bridge, the Petit Palais and Grand Palais, the Champs-Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe, and more. This is the best Paris River cruise for a more local experience. It is possible to get on the Batobus Paris as often as you want over a specified period of time without buying new tickets. They are the big double-decker boats with orange seats sailing on the River.

Seine River Dinner Cruises in Paris

In summary, the sightseeing cruise was well-organized from start to finish, with no next to no inconveniences during my experience. The main deck has numerous 1-step stairs scattered around, and there’s limited space to maneuver with a wheelchair. Bateaux Parisiens and its boats are top-notch — they have spacious decks, 360° panoramic views up top, cozy seats, vending machines and clean restrooms.

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Take a look through our complete list of trips, tours, activities and other sources of distraction in the French capital. The standard 1h Seine River Cruise with one of the Bateaux Mouchesstarts at €16. You may be wondering what sights you’ll encounter on your Seine River Cruise and whether it’s worth your time and money. This budget-friendly option allows you to view Paris’s most celebrated landmarks from the comfort of your seat—no extravagant add-ons, just the essentials.

It can be too cold or windy to sit outside during the winter months. If you have a flexible schedule, I’d try to go on a day without rain forecast. But if you have a more specialized dietary preferences or allergies (e.g., gluten-free, vegan, etc.), you will want to check in advance to make sure it can be accommodated. The company only operates cruises between April and September and does not offer them daily. Live narration is provided by real guides; however, both sound quality and guide quality can vary.

You also have the option to download the commentary in advance and listen to it during your trip with your own smartphone and headphones. If you are looking for the cheapest Seine River tickets, Vedettes du Pont Neuf is probably the best choice if you take advantage of their online deals. They also offer a great central location if you are going to be near Notre Dame. Narration is provided by live guides who give commentary in both French and English. You can also download the company’s free app that provides commentary in French, English, Spanish, Italian, German and Portuguese.

If you’re not in the mood to sift through endless options and prefer a quick guide to the best choices, you’re in luck. Below, I’ve distilled the wide array of Seine River Cruises down to an essential shortlist—featuring the top 3 most popular and highly recommended experiences in Paris. Searching for the perfect Seine River Cruise in Paris, but overwhelmed by the choices?

Check the wind direction so you don’t get stuck in the rain when boarding or disembarking. Neoclassical buildings grace the banks from the Alexander III Bridge to Les Invalides. In under an hour, iconic Parisian history and architecture comes alive on the water. Since the Seine River flows through Paris, many cruises on this waterway pass by or near the Eiffel Tower. At the foot of the Musée d'Orsay, enjoy a unique gastronomic experience with refined, home-cooked cuisine prepared by our chef. The cruise ship, though slightly dated, accommodates 500 passengers and features a double-decker design.

You can even craft your own River Seine cruise by chartering a boat for you and your crew! Go on reading for the best Seine River cruises Paris has to offer, with our best tips to help you decide. Early morning and sunset cruises are peaceful with smaller crowds. Alternatively, you can join a cruise with live narration in English and French. If you're looking for a more intimate, cozy, and smaller-scale cruising experience, Vedettes de Paris is the perfect choice compared to sightseeing cruises, which handle massive crowds daily.

Some cruises also do not have the same start and finish points. The Port de Paris-Arsenal is a bit further from the center of Paris than most of the other companies, but this may end up being great for those staying closer to the 12th arrondissement. There are no wheelchair-accessible toilets on board or near where the boats are docked. Access to the Canauxarama boat boarding points require going up or down several steps and sometimes cobbled walkways. There are also steps (up to 6 steps) on some of the boats that passengers would need to be able to climb. Tickets can be purchased online, by phone, or at the ticket offices near the boats.

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