Discover the Magic of Paris on a Seine River Champagne Cruise with one of these best-selling cruises:
Paris’s iconic Seine River comes alive with a touch of luxury as various cruise operators offer champagne-enhanced experiences gliding past the City of Light’s most famous landmarks. From intimate tastings to grand dinner affairs, these cruises combine spectacular views with France’s most celebrated sparkling wine.
For those seeking an introduction to French elegance, basic sightseeing cruises offer a bottle of champagne to share while passing under historic bridges and past illuminated monuments. More ambitious oenophiles can opt for specialized tasting experiences, where expert sommeliers guide guests through various champagne styles and production methods.
The evening brings even more sophisticated options, with dinner cruises pairing multi-course French cuisine with carefully selected champagnes. These floating restaurants offer window-side tables for optimal views of Paris’s twinkling nightscape.
The Standard Champagne Cruise – This one-hour guided experience departs near the Eiffel Tower and offers live commentary in English and French. Guests receive one glass of premium Duval Leroy Champagne while cruising past iconic landmarks. The route includes views of the Grand Palais, Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and Notre Dame Cathedral, reaching as far as the Institute of the Arabic World before returning. Audio guides in multiple languages are available, and additional drinks can be purchased onboard. These cruises typically run every 45 minutes and cost around €30 per person.
The Shared Bottle Experience – This 70-minute cruise operated by Bateaux Mouches provides a half-bottle of champagne per two people, with glasses included. The experience features both upper deck viewing with 360-degree views and a main deck with large windows. Departing from Pont de l’Alma, the cruise passes landmarks including the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Eiffel Tower. A downloadable audio guide is available on your smartphone in multiple languages. Tickets are flexible, valid for one year from purchase date, and cost €58 for two people.
The Wine Connoisseur’s Cruise – The Wine Connoisseur’s Cruise by O Chateau offers a sophisticated one-hour tasting experience for €69 per person. Led by an expert sommelier, guests enjoy three different champagne varieties (Brut, Extra-Brut, and Rosé) while learning about wine production and appreciation from a private salon. The cruise showcases Paris landmarks including Ile de la Cité, Louvre, Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, and the Rive Gauche.
Dinner Cruise with Bay Windows and Champagne – The Luxury Dinner Cruise offers a two-hour romantic experience for €155 per person. Available for early (18:45) or late (21:00) dining, the cruise features a three-course gourmet meal with champagne. The late dinner includes two glasses of champagne, while both seatings offer privileged bay window seating adorned with flower petals. The menu includes upscale options like duck foie gras and sea bream, with vegetarian choices available. Complimentary mineral water, coffee, and tea are included, with additional wines available for purchase. The cruise departs from Port de Solférino, offering views of illuminated Parisian landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Musée d’Orsay.
Cruise Type | Price |
---|---|
Standard Champagne Cruise | €30 per person |
Shared Bottle Experience | €58 per couple |
Wine Connoisseur’s Cruise | €69 per person |
Luxury Dinner Cruise | €155 per person |
GetYourGuide stands out as a leading platform for booking Seine River champagne cruises. The website offers clear descriptions, verified customer reviews, and a user-friendly booking interface. With their 24/7 customer support and flexible cancellation policies (usually up to 24 hours before the activity), travelers can book with confidence. The platform also provides instant digital tickets and supports multiple languages and currencies.
Tiqets serves as another reliable option for securing your Seine River cruise tickets. Known for its streamlined booking process and competitive prices, Tiqets offers detailed activity descriptions and honest customer reviews. The platform provides immediate ticket delivery to your smartphone and includes helpful information about meeting points and important details about each cruise.
Both platforms regularly feature special deals and combination tickets that can help you save money when booking multiple Paris attractions together. Their mobile apps make it convenient to manage your bookings and access your tickets on the go.
Timing can significantly enhance your Seine River champagne cruise experience. Evening cruises, particularly those departing around sunset (between 7:00-9:00 PM depending on the season), offer the magical transition from daylight to Paris’s enchanting illuminations. You’ll witness the city’s monuments gradually light up, with the Eiffel Tower’s sparkling display creating a particularly memorable backdrop.
Summer cruises benefit from extended daylight hours and warmer temperatures, perfect for upper deck viewing. However, these peak season times often mean larger crowds and higher prices. Spring and fall offer more moderate temperatures and smaller crowds, while winter cruises showcase Paris’s holiday lights and provide a cozy indoor experience.
For the most intimate experience, consider a midweek booking rather than busy weekends. Early evening departures tend to be less crowded than prime dinner times, and morning cruises offer serene views of Paris awakening, though they’re less common for champagne-specific experiences.
Most Seine River champagne cruises depart from prominent locations near major Paris landmarks. The main boarding points include Port de la Conférence near the Eiffel Tower, Port de Solférino by the Musée d’Orsay, and Port de l’Alma. All are easily accessible by Metro – look for stations Alma-Marceau, Invalides, or Champs-Élysées-Clemenceau.
Arriving 20-30 minutes before departure is strongly recommended, as late arrivals aren’t accommodated and tickets are non-refundable within the cancellation window. While most boats are wheelchair accessible, it’s advisable to confirm this when booking as some vessels have limited accessibility.
Most cruises offer commentary in multiple languages through personal audio guides – bring your own headphones for better sound quality. While smart casual dress is acceptable for standard cruises, dinner cruises often have a more formal dress code. Don’t forget your camera and a light jacket, even in summer, as evening cruises can get breezy on the river.
For those driving, paid parking is available near major departure points, though public transport is recommended during peak tourist season.
Seine River champagne cruises offer various departure times throughout the day. The standard champagne cruise runs approximately every 45 minutes, with flexibility for guests to use their tickets at their convenience.
For the dinner cruise experience, two specific time slots are available: an early dinner cruise departing at 18:45 (6:45 PM) and a late dinner service at 21:00 (9:00 PM). The later slot includes two complementary glasses of champagne with the meal.
The basic sightseeing cruise with shared champagne bottle offers flexible timing, with tickets valid for up to one year from the purchase date. The wine tasting cruise with sommelier operates as a one-hour experience, with specific departure times that can be checked when booking.
For all cruises, passengers are required to arrive at least 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time, as boats maintain strict departure schedules.
Seine River champagne cruises offer varying durations to suit different preferences. The standard sightseeing cruise with a glass of Duval Leroy Champagne runs for one hour, providing enough time to see major Parisian landmarks while enjoying your drink.
The shared bottle experience by Bateaux Mouches extends slightly longer at 1 hour and 10 minutes, allowing guests to leisurely share their champagne while taking in the sights from either the open upper deck or the window-lined main deck.
For wine enthusiasts, the sommelier-guided champagne tasting cruise also lasts one hour, during which guests can sample three different champagne varieties while learning about wine production.
The most extensive option is the dinner cruise, which runs for two full hours, providing ample time to enjoy a three-course meal along with champagne while taking in the illuminated city views through the bay windows.
Seine River Aperitif cruises depart from several key locations along the river. The Bateaux Mouches services operate from Port de la Conférence, which is easily accessible via metro line 9 (Alma-Marceau station) or line 1 (Champs-Élysées – Clémenceau station). Free parking is available just 20 meters from their boats.
The standard champagne cruise departs near the Eiffel Tower from the Vedettes de Paris dock, marked by three large red, white, and blue flags. Passengers can access this point via the Pont d’Iéna or Bir-Hakeim bridge.
For the dinner cruise experience, boats depart from PARIS SEINE LA MARINA at Port de Solférino, located on Promenade Edouard Glissant. This departure point is found at the bottom of the stairs leading to the Seine River.
Each departure point features clear signage and is accessible by public transportation, though specific arrival instructions are provided with booking confirmations.
Arrival & Booking – Arrive at least 20 minutes before departure time – latecomers won’t be accommodated. Consider booking your tickets in advance, especially during peak tourist season. Most cruises offer flexible booking with free cancellation up to 24-48 hours before departure.
Seating & Views – For the best views, position yourself on the upper deck during warm weather, or request window seating for indoor options. The dinner cruise offers privileged bay window seating, which provides optimal views of illuminated landmarks.
Weather Considerations – Even in summer, evening cruises can be cool on the river. Bring a light jacket or wrap, especially if you plan to enjoy the open deck. During colder months, the enclosed main deck offers comfortable viewing through large windows.
Photography – Time your photos during transition periods – sunset or when monuments begin their evening illuminations. The boat’s movement can affect photo quality, so adjust your camera settings accordingly.
Making the Most of Your Experience – For dinner cruises, review the menu in advance to plan your choices. Wine enthusiasts should opt for the sommelier-guided cruise to maximize the champagne tasting experience. Consider the late dinner cruise (21:00) if you want the included two glasses of champagne and the best views of Paris’s nighttime illuminations.
What about Rescheduling and Cancellation?
Most tickets offer flexibility, with some valid for up to one year from the purchase date. Free cancellation is available up to 24-48 hours before departure, depending on the cruise type.
What’s the dress code?
Smart casual is acceptable for standard cruises. For dinner cruises, a more formal dress code is appropriate. Swimwear is not permitted on any cruises.
Are children allowed?
Age restrictions vary by cruise type. Champagne-specific cruises typically require guests to be 18 or older. The standard sightseeing cruise allows children aged 12-99, while dinner cruises welcome all ages but require no ticket for babies.
Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?
Most standard cruises are wheelchair accessible, but the dinner cruise specifically notes it is not wheelchair accessible. It’s recommended to verify accessibility when booking.
What happens if it rains?
All boats have covered areas and indoor seating with large windows, ensuring comfortable viewing regardless of weather conditions.
Can I purchase additional drinks onboard?
All cruises offer additional beverages for purchase, including wines, cocktails, and soft drinks.
What languages are available for commentary?
Commentary varies by cruise type, with options including English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese, either through live guides or audio guides.
We are a group of travelers who love to explore and write about Paris. Over the years, we have gained extensive experience with cruising on the Seine River in Paris. Here, you could find all the essential information you need to know about Seine River cruises, including the different types of cruise, prices, tickets, operating hours, departure points, and many more. Bon voyage!