Swimming in the Seine: Paris 2024 Olympics’ Aquatic Challenge
As the 2024 Paris Olympics approach, all eyes are on the iconic River Seine, set to host several high-profile aquatic events. However, concerns about water
Discover the soul of Paris with one of this best-sellers cruises:
A Seine River Cruise in Paris is one of the best ways to explore and see the city’s highlights in a relaxing and fun way. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions for travelers in Paris with more than 4 million people taking cruises each year.
By taking a Cruise on the Seine River, you could see up close Paris’ top attractions like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Musée d’Orsay and many more and explore the historic heart of Paris from a new perspective.
A river cruise allows you to see iconic Paris landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Louvre Museum, and more from unique vantage points along the Seine that you can’t get walking around the city. The river offers beautiful new perspectives of Paris’ architecture and scenery.
A boat cruise is a relaxed, calm way to take in the sights of Paris compared to a rushed walking tour or hectic metro trips. You can sit back with a glass of wine and watch the city unfold along the banks of the river. It’s an easy way to see a lot without wearing yourself out.
A small riverboat cruise offers a quaint, intimate feel that gets you closer to landmarks compared to packed tourist buses or boats. With fewer passengers and open decks, you have space to Admire views and snap great photos as you gently float by each attraction. It feels like a VIP tour around the City of Light.
Select from sightseeing, dining, leisurely riverboat or multi-attraction packages to match your Paris travel budget, timeline and interests:
The most popular type, sightseeing cruises typically last 1-2 hours and journey along the Seine passing by the top landmarks of Paris like the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Louvre Museum, Orsay Museum and more. Most boats have open-air upper decks and some have interior lounge areas. Audio guides in multiple languages are usually available.
If you want to make the cruise more interesting, you can choose the Dinner Cruise which is more expensive cruise and include dinner, drinks, or even sometimes a live music show. These cruises will cost you more than the Sightseeing Cruises, but they take longer (around 2 hours) and do offer some more value to your trip. That is why many travelers choose this option.
The Lunch Cruise allow you enjoy a gourmet multi-course French meal while floating past Parisian monuments. Meal options range from buffets to set menus paired with quality French wines. Many boats have live musical entertainment, some with dancing.
Many cruise companies offer discounted multi-ride packages like a 1-day Big Bus pass with a 1-hour Vedettes du Pont Neuf cruise, making it easy to tour around different Paris neighborhoods.
The Hop on Hop Off cruise allows you to effortlessly visit popular locations such as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Musée d’Orsay, Hôtel de Ville, Jardin des Plantes and more. It offers great flexibility to create your own DIY sightseeing itinerary and transportation around Paris’ most famous attractions.
Guided cruise provide history and cultural insight into Paris and its famous monuments. They can be customized to focus on different topics from art, architecture, WWII history, love stories and more based on passengers’ interests. Private tours for families or groups are also bookable.
Gliding along the River Seine, a Paris river cruise offers views of the city’s most celebrated landmarks – the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Louvre Museum, and Musée d’Orsay glow against the horizon.
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.
Here are the top sights you will see a long the cruise:
Bateaux Parisiens is one of the largest and most popular Seine cruise companies in Paris. It offers sightseeing cruises along the Seine past top attractions like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral. Bateaux Parisiens also provides lunch, dinner, and entertainment cruises on board their fleet of glass-topped boats. The company is a family-owned business founded in 1958.
The oldest and largest river cruise operator in Paris is Bateaux Mouches which was founded in 1949. Bateaux Mouches operates a large fleet of glass-roofed boats departing frequently from Pont de l’Alma. They offer daytime and evening sightseeing cruises with audio guides in 18 languages. The company is especially known for their romantic evening dinner and dance cruises with live music.
Vedettes de Paris provides smaller, more intimate boat tours on the Seine. They are a top-rated company for their personal service, smaller groups, and ability to dock closer to sights. Vedettes de Paris also offers themed cruises like Paris historians and jazz cruises. Their boats have indoor salons and open-air upper decks. It is a family-owned company established in 1945.
Pariscityvision is a large company providing a wide variety of sightseeing tours in Paris, including Seine cruises. They usually market more towards tourists and large groups. Pariscityvision’s boats are completely glazed for better views, and also have interior salons. The company is a great budget option for basic daytime or evening sightseeing boat tours.
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.
Vedettes de la Seine – Fracasse is a smaller boutique cruise company with just 2 to 3 boats. They offer specialized themed musical or Parisian gourmet dining cruises in an intimate setting with attentive service and unique French cuisine onboard.
When taking a Seine cruise in Paris, keeping the weather in mind is important for having an enjoyable experience:
Sunny Day If sunny, an open-top upper deck on the boat would be ideal. You can take in full views of landmarks like Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower while staying protected from the sun in the shade. Sunscreen and hats are still a good idea.
Rainy/Overcast Day Many boats have both enclosed and open areas. If rain is forecasted, opting for a boat with indoor seating or retractable glass covers can allow you to stay dry. Bring lightweight raincoats or umbrellas as a backup. Check the wind direction so you don’t get stuck in the rain when boarding or disembarking.
Cold Weather If cruising in fall or winter months when it’s chilly, dress warmly in layers. Coats, scarves and gloves are recommended. Some boats may have climate controls or provide blankets so check ahead. Sipping hot chocolate or coffee can help keep you warm too!
Windy Conditions Higher winds on the river may impact the boat’s stability. If very windy, consider rescheduling since you likely won’t be able to enjoy upper deck seating.
No matter the forecast, confirming if your specific cruise will run as scheduled is advised. Checking for potential cancellations due to weather can help avoid disappointments. Being prepared for diverse Parisian weather will enable soaking in the magic of the Seine!
Most major boats and tour companies offer cruises throughout the day, typically starting as early as 10am and running as late as 9:30pm in the summer. Schedules vary by company and season with hours being more limited in the off-season between November-March. Lunch cruises are very common, lasting 1-2 hours in the early-mid afternoon. Dinner/evening cruises typically have boarding around 8pm and run for 1.5-2 hours.
Some companies offer flexible boarding times for independent, hop-on hop-off style cruises during the day which allow you to sightsee at your own pace. Smaller tour boats and private river yacht charters may have more flexibility for custom departure times. Cruise frequency ranges from boats departing every 30 minutes up to every 1-2 hours depending on the season, with more time in between departures earlier/later in the day.
Most cruises run for 1-2 hours in duration, many including boarding time and allowing time for commentary. Some full meal cruises can last 2+ hours. In summary – typical Seine cruise hours range from morning through evening, with greatest flexibility and frequencies through midday and early evening. But exploring your specific cruise company’s schedule is the best way to confirm details. Let me know if you have any other cruise operation questions!
When taking a Seine River cruise in Paris, you’ll have options for different durations to suit your schedule and interests:
The most common cruise duration is 1-1.5 hours. This allows you to cruise along the Seine at a comfortable pace while seeing top attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Louvre Museum, and ornate bridges from unique vantage points. Cruises of this length will have running commentary to point out photo spots and give history.
Two hour lunch or dinner cruises are also very popular. These allow more relaxed dining and take in wider views between the Paris landmarks, heading both downstream and back upstream. Meals are served on board these cruises.
Some companies offer half-hour to 45 minute compact mini-cruises. These offer a quick glimpse at the Seine highlights if you’re short on time. The pace and route is more direct.
At the longer end, some full-day and multi-hour cruises are available for those really wanting an immersive experience. These may include multiple stops or activities like museum visits in addition to the Seine sightseeing.
River yacht charters can potentially customize cruise durations, but usually run in the 1-3 hour range. Private boats allow you to fully control the timing.
So in summary, first-timers may want to opt for a classic 1-1.5 hour river cruise, while return visitors could consider a longer or meal-inclusive option. Checking different company offerings for duration and scheduling will ensure the best Seine cruise fit.
The departure point for your Seine River cruise is an important piece of planning, as major cruise companies use various docks along the river. Most boats leave from ports near the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame Cathedral given their convenient locations.
Common Eiffel Tower embarkation docks include Port de la Bourdonnais, just east of the landmark, and Port de Suffren to the west. Using these ports, your boat can head straight under the Eiffel Tower shortly after departure for great views. Another top departure point is Port Saint Paul by Notre Dame in the heart of Paris near lively shops and cafes. Cruise companies like Vedettes du Pont Neuf and Bateaux Parisiens use Port Saint Paul.
Depending on your specific cruise’s route, you may also embark at locations like Musée d’Orsay, the Louvre, Jardin des Plantes, or further east at Bercy Village. Check your tour information carefully for the meeting location. Third party sellers may use docks across from the islands in the Seine like Ile de la Cité. Arriving early is wise to account for walking time to your departure dock.
Maps of the Seine will display the various port names to confirm where your cruise embarks once you’ve booked. Central meeting spots like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame make getting on and off boats convenient as nearby transit options abound. But no matter which dock you start from, gorgeous river views await!
Here are some of the best insider tips for taking a cruise on the Seine River in Paris:
What is the best time of day to take a cruise?
Early morning and sunset cruises are peaceful with smaller crowds. Afternoon offers the most frequent departures. Illuminations cruises at night showcase lit-up monuments.
What is the average length of a cruise?
Most cruises are 1-1.5 hours. Two hour lunch/dinner cruises are also popular. Some are just 30 minutes while full-day options are available too.
Which side of the boat is best for views?
If possible, sit on the right side heading downstream from the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame for iconic landmark views.
Can you bring food and drinks on board?
Yes, on most cruises you can BYO snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. Some boats have food/drink for purchase.
Is there inside seating?
Many boats have both indoor and outdoor seating options. Open air top decks provide the best views.
Do boats have restrooms?
Yes, Seine cruise ships are equipped with clean restrooms.
Is narration/commentary provided?
Most standard sightseeing cruises include engaging audio commentary to point out photo spots and discuss sites along the route.
What language(s) are tours offered in?
English and French commentary is typical. Some also offer Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese or Chinese narration.
Is the cruise wheelchair and stroller accessible?
Many boats have wheelchair ramps and space for strollers. Confirm accessibility needs when booking.
Can you bring a dog?
No, pets are not allowed onboard cruises. Service animals may be accommodated.
Is the cruise child-friendly?
Yes! Seine cruises can be great for families and kids with commentary to entertain and windows to see sites.
Will the boat make stops along the river?
Most standard sightseeing cruises do not stop, allowing you to stay aboard. A few may disembark at sites like the Eiffel Tower.
How big/crowded are the boats?
Boat sizes and capacity ranges from small yachts to multi-level ships holding hundreds. Cruise at less crowded times or pick smaller ships.
Should I make reservations?
Yes, it’s strongly recommend to book tickets in advance online for your preferred date/time. Walk-ups may have long waits or sell out.
Can I choose my departure dock?
Tickets are generally tied to specific departure docks. But getting to the dock is fairly quick from central Paris locations.
Is tipping customary?
Tips are not required but you can tip 10-15% for exceptional service. Some meal cruises may include gratuity.
What should I wear/bring?
Dress for weather. Layers, hats, sunscreen, jacket and comfortable shoes are good. Umbrella if rain is forecasted.
Is there an onboard bathroom?
Yes, fully equipped and clean restrooms are available on all standard public sightseeing cruise ships.
Do boats run year-round?
Many operators sail all year, but services are reduced November-March. Some small boats pause cruises in winter months or harsh weather.
Can cruises be cancelled due to weather?
High water levels or storms may rarely cancel. Reach out directly regarding weather concerns over your booking date.
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