Seine River Cruise in Paris: Booking & Tips

What is the Seine River Cruise ?

Seine River Cruise is a great way to discover Paris from a new angle. The cruise on the Seine takes you comfortably along numerous landmarks.


For many Paris travelers, especially first-time travelers and families with children, it is an absolute highlight. Even Parisians themselves love to go on a Seine Rive Cruise for special occasions like anniversaries, bachelorette parties, a romantic proposal or team building with colleagues.


The cruise can be taken by day as well as by night. The evening tour is particularly beautiful and romantic, when the City of Lights, as Paris is also called, is illuminated in the most beautiful colors.


The journey takes about 2.5 hours. Champagne and live music are included, French people know how to enjoy live...

Parisian monuments you will see on a Seine River Cruise

  • The three most famous sights, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum and Notre-Dame, are located directly along the waterfront.
  • Besides, you can see the obelisk on the Place de la Concorde, the Musée d'Orsay and the Pont Alexandre 3 bridge, you will cross along the two islands on the Seine, Île de la Cité and İle Saint-Louis.
  • You can admire the Grand Palais and the Conciergerie from the water and, of course, pass by the Seine bridges like Pont Neuf and Pont de Art.
seine river cruise in Paris photos

How to Book a cruise on Seine River in Paris ?

Tickets for the boat trips can be bought directly at the landing stages from the various operators. Most of the Seine tours start at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.

If you would like to book your ticket in advance, simply visit our Paris Ticket Shop online shop and buy it conveniently and comfortably from home. Maybe you are also interested in some combine tickets.

This way, you can avoid long queues and enjoy a stress-free trip on the water.

Types of cruise to book :

  • Most Seine Cruises pass through the city during the day. There are trips of varying lengths, the shortest lasting about an hour. Most cruises offer coffee or tea, but if you want champagne, you have to book it.
  • Those who wish to lunch or dine at the same time will choose a dinner or lunch cruise and enjoy their meal while the sights glide by the windows.
  • A cruise at night is a special experience, because at night Paris, also called the "City of Lights", looks fascinating and seems to be a large film set. Everything is sinking into a huge sea of lights while the ships glide calmly through the water.

Audio Guide: If you want to really enjoy the Seine Cruise and at the same time hear some information about the most important sights you are passing by, then you can benefit from our Audio Guide, which is precisely adapted to the tours. Get your Audioguide.

Tips : There are many different providers of Seine Cruise Tours, the best known being Bateaux-Mouches. There are others, among them Vedettes de Paris, Vedettes du Pont Neuf and Bateaux Parisiens. You won't find much difference, however, as they all sail almost the same route. 

History of Cruise on Seine River

In the past, small boats that transported goods on waterways were called "bateau mouche". They were driven by a propeller.

Jean Bruel was the first to have the idea of offering sightseeing trips on the Seine. He rebuilt a boat from the 1900 World's Fair so that it had a large panoramic deck for passengers. It set off on its journey in 1949. Even then, the tours were commented for the guests. As early as 1950, "Bateaux Mouches" was registered as a trademark.

In the course of time, the fleet was expanded to 15 ships. Today, Bateaux Mouches transports around 2.5 million guests across the Seine every year.

Batobus

Batobus refers to the so-called water taxis. These run at 9 fixed stops on the Seine. Interestingly, the route is almost identical to that of the Seine Cruise Tours. If you want, you can also get off in between, visit the sights from close by and then continue your journey. Of course, there is no audio guide available.

Note : Seine Cruise for Children
Several companies offer special Seine cruises for children, accompanied by their parents of course. But adults will have fun too...

FAQ (Frequently Asked Question)

From where do the boats for the Seine Cruise depart?

Most boats depart at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. 

Where can I buy tickets for a Seine Cruise?

Tickets for the boat trips can be bought directly at the landing stages from the various operators. However, If you want to avoid long queues, you should buy your ticket online. Please visit our shop and decide for an offer

Do the ships operate all year around?

Most providers operate all year round. As the boats have an indoor main deck, the Seine Criuse can also be done when the weather is cold and rainy.


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