I have heard that an evening cruise on the Seine is a must-do with the lights being fabulous at night. Which cruise is best? Is there a good one available without having to pay for an expensive dinner in which the food is not that good?
Posted by
WA State
3961 posts
A number of years ago we got the 48 hr pass on Batobus for both day & eve. We were not interested in a dinner cruise. We saved our evening cruise for a memorable last night in Paris. It was magical! https://www.batobus.com/en/homepage
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
1322 posts
My 10 year old granddaughter and I went on a really nice cruise through Vedettes du Pont Neuf
Posted by
Panguitch, Utah
2550 posts
The best nighttime dinner cruise is Ducasse sur Seine. The food is exceptional, the experience very memorable.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6533 posts
I'd also recommend the Vedettes du Pont Neuf, for a convenient schedule, good narration, good value. No need to pay for dinner or be distracted by eating. Look for a seat on the upper deck. No need to reserve ahead so you can fit it in with the rest of your schedule and the weather. So inexpensive you can do it twice, daytime and evening, if you want.
We liked the Batobus but it's not narrated and all the seats are inside. It's basically public transportation, like Venice's vaporettos. You can get on and off at any stop, or buy a one-day ticket that gives you as many rides as you want. I'd say the Vedettes are a better experience.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4891 posts
We have also enjoyed our evening cruises on les Vedettes du Pont Neuf. And IIRC, they have a bar at the dock, so you can enjoy a take away beverage as you cruise along.
Posted by
Columbus, OH, USA
2026 posts
And, a few years ago, I think we got a discount by reserving online. We did enjoy the ride with Vedettes. The young man who served as narrator was terrific and announced that ours was his last cruise as he was returning to university to complete his studies in French Literature. I’m not much of a tipper, but am a retired educator and I gave him 5 euro. If you had him the next evening please don’t tell me.
Posted by
Atlanta
4873 posts
Another vote for Vedettes du Pont Neuf. We've taken them a couple of times and throughly enjoyed them both. Your thinking is good about not taking an expensive dinner cruise. Much better, in my opinion, to have a nice dinner somewhere else either before or after the cruise.
Posted by
OP
23 posts
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and advice! We now look forward to cruising the Seine.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area
5697 posts
If you are staying in the Latin Quarter, Marais or Ile St Louis, Vedettes de Pont Neuf is an easy stroll from your hotel/apartment.