8 Best Seine River Cruises

The Seine is the soul of Paris, the landmark that gives the city its magical touch. A cruise on the Seine is the best way to see its main monuments at a glance.

If you want to start your trip to Paris with a bang, there's nothing better than dinner on a cruise along the Seine while you admire the city lights. With this dinner cruise with live music, you'll have three hours to enjoy good food, live music and the best views of places like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. An experience to take your time with and enjoy Paris to the full.

This is one of the most recommended cruises if you're looking for a different kind of night out in Paris: an elegant but relaxed atmosphere, haute cuisine French dishes and a perfect route to make you fall even more in love with the city.

Where it departs from

Boarding takes place at the Bateaux Mouches building, located next to the Pont de l'Alma, in the heart of Paris.

Points of interest along the route

When to do it?

This cruise departs every day at sunset, an ideal time to see the city begin to light up. Boarding begins at around 8 pm, departure is at 8:30 pm and the return to the dock is scheduled for around 10:45 pm.

This boat trip on the Seine is the most affordable option. The tour begins at the Bateaux Mouches pier and lasts approximately one hour and ten minutes. It is a great alternative for children, as they receive a discount on the ticket price, and it is also perfectly adapted for wheelchair users and travellers with reduced mobility.

Where it departs from

In all cases, the departure point is also from the Bateaux Mouches pier; you will recognise it because it is the first one you will come across when walking from the Eiffel Tower towards the Louvre museum.

Points of interest along the route

When to do it?

If you choose this option, I recommend choosing the last departure time so you can see the city lit up. In high season (April to September), departures are every 30 minutes from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. In low season (October to March), boats depart approximately every 40 minutes from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Imagine enjoying a delicious French crêpe while sailing down the River Seine. This iconic experience is possible thanks to this cruise with crêpe tasting. You will sail aboard a comfortable boat for an hour and admire the Parisian monuments before finishing with the ultimate Parisian dessert.

Points of interest along the route

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When to go?

Any time is a good time to enjoy a French crêpe with chocolate, sugar, jam or your favourite topping. Will you be able to resist?

If, in addition to sailing along the Seine, you want to complete your tour of part of Napoleon's canal system in the Ancien Régime, I recommend this comprehensive 2½-hour cruise. Passing through locks and swing bridges, you will travel along the Canal Saint-Martin, created to bring drinking water to the city of Paris.

Thanks to the commentary provided by an expert guide on this cruise, you will learn about the history of this canal and the entire network of tunnels that criss-cross the City of Light. You will also have the option of moving between the upper deck and the interior cabin of the cruise boat.

Points of interest along the route

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When to do it?

You can choose between morning or afternoon times when you make your booking, depending on your travel plans.

For the more romantic, there is also the option of a moonlight cruise with a glass of champagne. Make the most of your trip to Paris to spend some time with your loved one, and what better way to do so than by toasting with champagne on board a boat on the River Seine with the illuminated Parisian monuments in the background...

Points of interest along the route

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When to do it?

The special thing about this hour-and-ten-minute cruise is that it takes place at night. You'll enjoy the best possible views of the City of Light.

This is the VIP option for those who want more than just a simple boat trip to see Paris. This type of cruise is designed for total relaxation, allowing you to enjoy the experience without a care in the world. It is a two-hour VIP cruise on the Seine, starting at 8:15 pm and including music on board, a three-course dinner and pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in central Paris.

The price of this cruise is higher than other options, but that's because the experience is much more exclusive; it's not so much a tourist attraction as a way to celebrate a special occasion. One of the advantages of this option is that there are many details you can customise, such as the seats you want to sit in or the menu you want to eat. All menus include three courses prepared by the chef on board and drinks.

Points of interest along the route

Take advantage of a cruise on the Seine to enjoy a delicious Parisian-style lunch. If you are visiting Paris with your family, the evening cruise with dinner may not be the best option, so you also have the possibility of booking a boat trip with lunch and live music. You will have the opportunity to discover the main monuments while sampling authentic French cuisine.

Points of interest along the route

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When to go?

Personally, I would recommend this excursion to those who don't want to miss out on the experience of sailing the calm waters of the Seine and taking the opportunity to enjoy a multi-course meal in the Parisian sunshine. The two-hour tour with commentary on the monuments visible from the river also offers the option of adding a glass of champagne to make the experience even more authentic.

If you're also planning to visit the Louvre Museum during your trip to Paris, another must-see that will leave you with the best memories of art in the city, I recommend joining a cruise with tickets to this art gallery. By combining both activities, you'll also save money.

The cruise

The cruise will give you the best possible views of the Eiffel Tower, the Alexandre III Bridge, the Musée d'Orsay and Notre Dame Cathedral, the most representative buildings on the boat trip.

The Louvre Museum

The monumental Louvre Museum awaits you, ready to dazzle you with such important works of art as Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa and Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People, among many others. As for sculptures, you can admire the beautiful Venus de Milo and the spectacular Winged Victory of Samothrace, to give you just a taste of everything there is to see at the Louvre Museum.

Booking tickets in advance is important

Regardless of the type of cruise you choose, it is advisable to book your tickets in advance to secure your place on the day and time you have chosen for the tour. The operation of these cruises, regardless of what each one includes, is very similar: once you have made your online reservation, you will receive a voucher via email that you must present at the point indicated on the day and time you have chosen for your cruise.

About the guides and commentary

Most cruises on the River Seine in Paris include audio commentary on board in several languages, but not all of them include a specialist guide. If this is important to you, make sure you check the services included in the cruise before booking your ticket. In any case, with or without a guide, most of the commentary is very good and you will always learn something about the points of interest included in the tour.

Photographs

You can take as many photos as you like from the boat, but if the weather permits, be sure to choose one without a roof for better views. If you can, stand next to the water for a better angle, and if you have a zoom lens, you can use that too. However, I won't lie to you: the photos you take from a cruise on the Seine are not the best; this experience is more about enjoying yourself than taking photos.

If you have a tourist card, check to see if it includes any cruises. The Paris Pass, for example, includes a free cruise on the Seine, so you won't need to book it separately. Many children also get a discount on tourist cruises.

The Paris Pass is highly recommended if you want to make the most of your trip by visiting as many attractions or museums as possible, as this tourist card gives you the best possible prices. I have written an article on Paris Pass and Other Tourist Cards for Paris where you can find out whether or not the Paris Pass is right for you, when and how to use it, and how to get the most out of it.

Before booking your cruise on the Seine, you should know:

How much do Seine tours cost?

You can enjoy a cruise on the Seine in Parisfrom €17. This price can rise to €120 depending on the services included: tasting of a French crêpe, aperitif, gourmet dinner, lunch or live music; if it is a special tour, for example along the Canal Saint-Martin, or if it is a combined ticket with another place of interest, such as the Louvre Museum.

How long does a boat trip on the Seine last?

Tours on the Seine last approximately one to two hours, although the time may increase depending on whether dinner is included or it is a special tour such as the Canal Saint-Martin.

Where can I board for a tour of the Seine?

The boarding point will depend on the company you choose for your tour of the River Seine. In general, they are as follows:

• Bateaux Mouches: Port de la Conférence, between the Pont de l'Alma and the Pont des Invalides, in the 8th arrondissement. How to get there: Alma-Marceau station (line 9) or Pont de l'Alma station on the RER C.
• Bateaux Parisiens: Port de la Bourdonnais, next to the Eiffel Tower. How to get there: Trocadéro (line 9) or Bir-Hakeim (line 6).
• Vedettes de Paris: Port de Suffren, next to the Eiffel Tower, in the 7th arrondissement. How to get there: Bir-Hakeim station (line 6) on the metro and Champ de Mars - Tour Eiffel station on the RER C.
• Vedettes du Pont Neuf: Square du Vert-Galant, on Île de la Cité, next to Pont Neuf. How to get there: Pont Neuf metro station (line 7).

In addition, for the Canal Saint-Martin cruise, the boarding point is the Bassin de la Villette. To get there, the nearest stations are Jaurès or Stalingrad (line 5) or Crimée or Riquet (line 7).

When is the best time to take a boat trip on the Seine?

When booking a cruise on the Seine, you have to decide whether you prefer a daytime, sunset or night-time cruise.

• Daytime cruise: recommended for families and those who want to take photographs and enjoy Paris in natural light. There are also fewer tourists at this time of day.
• Sunset cruise: this is one of my favourite options, as the warm, golden light that characterises this time of day allows you to admire the city in all its unique beauty. What's more, the trip is very romantic.
• Dusk cruise: what better way to admire the "City of Light" than under the night-time lights of major monuments such as the Eiffel Tower or the Alexandre III Bridge. This type of cruise can also include dinner, and on key dates such as Christmas, New Year's Eve or Bastille Day, they may include special dinners or fireworks.

Similarly, depending on the season you visit, you should take a number of factors into account:

• Spring and summer: the days are longer and these are two excellent times to enjoy the boat's outdoor terrace.
• Autumn: this is an ideal time because there are fewer tourists and you can enjoy the experience in comfort.
• Winter: there are fewer tourists and you can enjoy the air-conditioned cabins on some boats. What's more, if your trip coincides with Christmas, you'll be amazed by the experience.

What does a dinner cruise on the Seine include?

Dinner cruises on the Seine include a gourmet menu (starter, main course and dessert) typical of French cuisine, prepared by a professional chef. Depending on the company, drinks may or may not be included, and a welcome glass of champagne may even be offered. Vegetarian and vegan menus are also available.

There are also cruises with live music and even a professional photographer. I recommend booking this dinner cruise with live music on the Seine, where you can choose between two types of four-course menus, with the option of including wine or champagne in one of them. It's very comprehensive.

Are cruises on the Seine accessible for people with reduced mobility?

In general, tours on the River Seine are accessible for people with reduced mobility. In addition, the facilities are adapted with access ramps for entering and exiting, accessible toilets and adapted lifts that allow access to the different levels of the boat. Furthermore, the crew is trained to assist passengers during boarding, disembarking and the cruise.

However, it is always advisable to contact the company to confirm all the details about the adaptation of their facilities.

Cruises on the Seine are a comfortable way to see the city and learn about it, but they are not the only way. Personally, I recommend two other experiences that will allow you to see a large part of Paris:

• The first is the tourist bus with panoramic views. You can read more in the guide Paris Hop-On Hop-Off Buses. From the boat, there will be monuments that cannot be seen, and that is a problem that the bus solves without sacrificing comfort and saving time when travelling distances.
• The second option is guided walking tours of different areas of Paris. On the one hand, getting to know a city on foot is a special way to experience it, and on the other hand, I have always learned stories on these tours that have made me love the city even more. If you want a selection of the best tours in Paris, you can read 10 Best Tours in Paris.