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Boat tours of Paris

  • Paris, Ile-de-France, France

Last updated: 10 March, 2024

There’s no better way to see the sights in one magical sweep than by boat along the Seine.

From the filigree girders of the Eiffel Tower to the giant clock of the Orsay Museum and the Mansard rooftops of the Louvre – not to mention the statue-studded bridges – the waterway provides a unique and crowd-free viewpoint for taking in the city’s treasures.

Book a dining cruise on a riverboat, hire your own private boat or opt for the hop-on-hop-off boat-buses. They’re all good, but for extra romance, go at night, when the monuments are lit up and the Eiffel Tower sparkles.

Logistics

Price from: £15
Minimum age: 0
Age suitable: 4+
When: All year around
Duration: 1+ hour

Getting there & doing it

For dinner cruises, Ducasse sur Seine is consistently excellent, offering modern French cuisine and panoramic windows.

Batobus’ hop-on-hop-off service covers nine stops, making it a fun option for sightseeing while getting around town.

But the most dramatic way to do it – with the wind in your hair and rosé in your hand – is with Lakana Paris Cruise, whose captain-commandeered four-person boats give you a bespoke ride along the ripples.

When to do it

Boat trips and dinner cruises run all year round, so check individual websites for times. Spring and autumn are the best times, when it’s hot but not scorching. And at night, when the city twinkles.

Who to go with: organised tours

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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

  • Paris

Combine a glamorous dinner with sights of the must-see attractions of Paris on this evening sightseeing cruise aboard a modern glass canopy boat down the River Seine. During this relaxing cruise, you are seated at a private table and enjoy a 3-course meal (if you choose the Service Etoile or the Service Decouverte) or a 4-course meal (if you choose the Service Privilège or the Service Premier). Choose your dishes from an à-la-carte menu at the beginning of the evening and listen to live music while you pass by the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, ... and savour the delicious dishes cooked on board by the Bateaux Parisiens Chef and his team.

Price €125

Min age 0

Rating 4.38 / 5 [5775 ratings]

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  • Paris

Jean Bruel created “Bateaux-Mouches®” in 1949, introducing a novel activity to the Seine and marking the advent of river tourism in Paris. More than 70 years later, the tradition continues : take a cruise on the Seine and admire the sights of Paris while enjoying a fine dinner ! Glide along the river and see the Ville Lumière from a different angle. Take a seat and relax as the city's iconic landmarks flash before your eyes. The large windows give you the best view while a three-course meal is served. An evening cruise of almost three hours gives you the chance to see Paris from its most beautiful avenue. The illuminated monuments provide a breathtaking backdrop, while a three-course dinner is served, accompanied by an aperitif and a wine of your choice. Choose the Excellence menu and make the most of this fabulous city at night. All cruises also feature live music to accompany your Paris dining experience.

Price €120

Min age 0

Rating 4.44 / 5 [3611 ratings]

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  • Paris

Treat yourself to an elegant lunch in Paris with this 2-hour afternoon sightseeing cruise down the Seine River aboard a modern and luxury glass-canopy boat. Relax over a 3-course meal (in Service Etoile) or a 4-course meal (in Service Privilege and in Service Premier) while enjoying fantastic views of Paris' most iconic attractions including the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Louvre Museum and the Musée d'Orsay. The refined French dishes are cooked on board by the Chef and his team. Choose your dishes from an à-la-carte menu at the beginning of the cruise. A vegetarian option is also available on the spot.You will be seated at a private table where you will enjoy spectacular views as the air-conditioned boat is completely glassed over. In Service Privilege, a window table is guaranteed.

Price €79

Min age 0

Rating 4.63 / 5 [2101 ratings]

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  • Paris

See all of Paris' noteworthy sights in just one day accompanied by an expert local guide. You'll make the most of your time with pre-reserved tickets to the Louvre Museum to see the Mona Lisa and many other masterpieces. Explore the City of Light by foot on city strolls through Montmartre and Ile de la Cité, where you'll see the ongoing restoration at Notre Dame. Head over to Trocadero Square for a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower. Then, pick up a ticket for a Seine River cruise to take in a Paris sunset from the water. With a small group, expert guide, and all the logistics taken care of, there's no better way to see Paris' major sights in one single day.

Price €144

Min age 0

Rating 4.83 / 5 [662 ratings]

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  • Paris

If sipping Champagne while cruising down The River Seine is your idea of heaven, this champagne tasting cruise will be a highlight of your trip to Paris! The Champagne will be flowing as you cruise down the River Seine past some of Paris' most famous monuments. Combining a sightseeing cruise and Champagne tasting, you'll enjoy a champagne presentation by an expert sommelier, held in a private area at the front of the boat while you cruise along the Seine. It's important to ARRIVE BEFORE THE DEPARTURE of the boat because the boat won't be able to delay the departure time that is 6:30 PM. We advise you to arrive between 6:00pm and 6:15pm maximum. THIS TOUR IS ONLY AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH.

Price €69

Min age 0

Rating 4.39 / 5 [539 ratings]

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