The Seine River: Our Favorite Boat Tours in 2024

The Seine River is the heart of Paris, winding through the city and offering unparalleled views of the French capital's historic architecture and vibrant urban life.

A river cruise is an ideal way to see many of Paris' most famous sights in a short amount of time, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay.

These tours can range from simple sightseeing trips to luxurious dinners or even private boat rentals.

Best Time for a Seine Tour

Daytime Cruises: Offer clear views of the various monuments and an excellent opportunity for photographers.

Sunset Cruises: Combine the charm of Parisian evenings with the beauty of the city transitioning from day to night.

Evening Cruises: Often come with dinner options and are perfect for experiencing the illuminated city.

Below are my preferred Seine Tour Companies:

1. Bateaux Mouches:

Highlights: Bateaux Mouches offers expansive decks that afford panoramic views of Paris’s most famed landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and the Louvre. Their evening cruises are particularly magical, featuring illuminated vistas of the city.

Opt for a sunset cruise to witness the city transition from day to night. Booking in advance can secure better seats for optimal viewing, and considering the dinner option adds a romantic touch to the experience.

2. Vedettes de Paris:

Highlights: This service emphasizes a more intimate setting aboard smaller boats, providing a tranquil ambiance as you float past key sights like the Musée d’Orsay and Saint-Louis Island.

Tips: Choose a cruise at twilight to enjoy the picturesque sunset against the Parisian skyline. The smaller size of the boats allows for a more personal interaction with the guide, enhancing the educational value of the tour.

3. Batobus:

Highlights: Batobus serves as a floating bus service with stops at eight major locations around Paris, including the Champs-Elysées and the Eiffel Tower. It combines transportation with sightseeing, offering a leisurely pace to absorb the scenery.

Tips: Purchase a day pass for unlimited hop-on, hop-off access to explore multiple landmarks without the hassle of ground traffic. It’s a budget-friendly way to navigate the city while sightseeing.

4. Paris Canal:

Highlights: Paris Canal ventures into off-beat routes that include lesser-known but charming districts, providing a glimpse into the everyday life of Parisians away from the typical tourist zones.

For a truly unique perspective, take a cruise that navigates through the historic Canal Saint-Martin. This route often includes going under old Parisian bridges and through locks, which adds an element of adventure to the journey.

5. Bateaux Parisiens:

Highlights: Bateaux Parisiens provides a sophisticated array of Seine cruising experiences that cater to a diverse range of preferences. The fleet includes various boats that host everything from straightforward sightseeing tours to opulent gourmet dinner cruises.

Tips: Especially for dinner cruises, it's advisable to book tickets well in advance as these can sell out quickly, particularly during tourist seasons or around French holidays.

Bateaux Mouches: This service is known for its elegant dinner cruises. The meals are typically French gourmet, with multi-course offerings that might include dishes like foie gras, filet mignon and crème brûlée, accompanied by a selection of French wines.

Vedettes de Paris: This service offers more casual dining options compared to Bateaux Mouches. You can expect light snacks and drinks available for purchase on board. For special occasions, they sometimes offer packages that include things like a glass of champagne or a snack.

Batobus: Batobus is primarily a hop-on, hop-off transport service rather than a cruise experience, so it does not typically offer food or dining options. Passengers can bring their own snacks, or plan their stops to coincide with meals at riverside cafes or restaurants near each of the Batobus stops.

Paris Canal: Similar to Vedettes de Paris, Paris Canal's focus is on the cruise experience rather than on-board dining. They may offer light refreshments and possibly snacks, but for a full meal, passengers would likely need to dine before or after their cruise. The experience is more about sightseeing off the beaten path than gourmet dining.

Bateaux Parisiens: This service offers a sophisticated dining experience similar to Bateaux Mouches. They provide gourmet lunch and dinner cruises with finely prepared meals, often including several courses. Like Bateaux Mouches, dining on Bateaux Parisiens is an integral part of the cruising experience, making it ideal for those looking to enjoy a meal with scenic views.

For the most accurate and specific information, particularly concerning menu updates or special dietary accommodations, visiting the official websites or contacting the services directly would be the best approach.