Hi
We (4 of us) are n Paris for a day and a half the first week of July. We definitely want to do a cruise to get to see some of the sites - we are all first timers. We are thinking of just a cruise - not with dinner or anything.
What would be the best time of day to go?
Do tickets sell out?
Are they all the same, apart from extras such as meals?
Thanks for the help.
Try Les Vedettes du Pont-Neuf, leaving from the west end of the Ile de la Cite. They offer a one-hour cruise, starting in mid-morning and repeating into the evening, about a dozen a day in July. You can book ahead and save a little money, but it isn't necessary. Pre-booking means taking a chance on the weather, but July is a good bet. I'd suggest a morning cruise before it gets too hot. The top deck is open, and there's a covered lower deck. The commentary is live in French and English.
There's at least one other company offering the same type of cruise, but departing from near the Eiffel Tower. That may be more convenient depending on your hotel and schedule. I expect the price is about the same.
Take Vedettes du Pont-Neuf recommended above. Go after dark (so 10 pm) to see the Eiffel Tower shimmer. Don’t waste one of your precious Parisian meals on a tourist boat. Buy your tickets in advance. Get in line about 45 - 60 minutes ahead of launch to ensure you are on the top deck.
Bateaux Mouches is across from the Eiffel Tower. We have gone on both cruise lines several times, similar.
Thanks. I heard about the one by the Eiffel Tower. I didn’t know there was another. Good to know that we shouldn’t need advanced tickets. We are there for a Monday afternoon and Tuesday - likely not as busy - I hope.
Ummm, I think the consensus is to buy the tickets in advance? I wouldn't wait.
We are there for a Monday afternoon and Tuesday - likely not as busy -
I hope.
Not busy? In July? The height of tourist season? Don't kid yourself. Paris is one of THE most visited cities in the world. Assume big crowds everywhere. I agree with the earlier sentiment not to waste your extremely limited daytime hours. Take an evening cruise- seeing the buildings and bridges lit up after dark is really beautiful.
Thanks. I’m sure all of July will be a zoo - even Mondays - but maybe a bit less crazy?
I’ll look into buying tickets ahead of time.
What Emily said above. We did an after-dark cruise in 2019 (without dinner) and it was wonderful. Bring a sweater and sit outside (if they have both indoor and outdoor options).
Thanks
I wasn’t sure if you would be able to see that much at night - but I guess it is the city of light.
You WANT to do the cruise at night. The buildings lit up are spectacular. The Eiffel Tour glitters - it is a famous thing and the boats are timed to be right there when it happens.
Monday will be just as busy as any other day. It’s July in Paris - half the world will be there.
I was in Paris in May, and on days I was near the river, I observed those boats being absolutely jammed with people on the top deck, etc.
I am not really big on advance bookings for something outdoors in case of bad weather, but it might be worth it for to book you since your time in Paris is pretty limited to begin with...I agree with others to go in the morning, before it gets too hot...while seeing the Eiffel Tower and other lights along the river at night is great, but you can see those from the land, too, and I would not book something late in the PM myself just for that.
Thanks
I think I’ll try waiting for as long as it can before booking. I’m not sure how jet lag will treat us. We are coming from Calgary. I’ll be sure to either walk the river or do a cruise in the evening. Is there an audio guide that would tell us what we are seeing if we walk?
Hi vega, the one hour river cruise is very nice to do during the day but really excellent after dark! The illuminated and sparkling Eiffel Tower is beautiful! The cruise gives you a different perspective of the bridges, museums, and landmarks. A walk along the Seine is nice, do that during the day. Do the cruise at night. Hope you have a wonderful trip.
PS - we've always done one of the cruises that depart next to the Eiffel Tower.
Thanks for the advice.
I’m looking at pre-buying tickets to do a cruise at night. Bateaux Mouches is closed the day we want, July 4th. Am I reading right that Bateaux Parisiens tickets are for the whole day - not a specific time? That doesn’t sound great if we want one of the last rides.
Vedettes du Pont Neuf lets you pick a time but getting there doesn’t easily fit in with other plans for the day.
How about Vedettes de Paris Seine Cruises?
They leave from the area I want and you can book a specific time.
At least that is what this site and the ticket app are telling me. https://independenttravelcats.com/cruising-the-seine-river-in-paris-how-to-choose-the-best-seine-cruise-boat-tour/
Thanks.
