Seine River Cruises

We've always preferred les Vedettes du Pont Neuf. I think you can buy tickets online, but we've never bothered. Just showed up and bought tickets for the next sailing. Nothing beats an evening Seine cruise. Try to time it so you can see the ET sparkle (after dark).

I would only caution you that the run-of-the-mill affordable cruises (e.g., Bateaux Parisiens) tend to be overrun with the "ugly tourist" where pushing and shoving, getting out of one's seat to crowd the windows, and other discourteous behaviors can occur. I am just passing along an honest observation as on our cruise the guide had to stop several times to tell people to get back in their seats. So, if you want a lovely romantic evening on the water you will probably need to choose one in an upper price bracket.

I can recommend a nice traditional French restaurant in the Latin Quarter, if that's the kind of thing you have in mind. See Le Volcan http://restaurant-levolcan.fr/?lang=en

There are multiple choices but I'd recommend the Vedettes du Pont Neuf. They leave from the Pont Neuf quite often, you don't need to make any advance arrangements so you can do it when the weather is good. Their standard cruise lasts an hour. They also have champagne cruises weekend evenings, and their website also links to dinner and other specialized cruises (I think offered by other companies). These would probably have to be pre-reserved.

At least one other company offers one-hour cruises from near the Eiffel Tower. Although you're looking for "something special and romantic," I wouldn't recommend a dinner cruise simply because your attention will be divided between what you're seeing and what you're eating. Maybe a champagne cruise would do the trick.

Happy anniversary!

We also used Vendettes du Pont Neuf and liked it very much. The evening cruises are quite nice. The first time I was in Paris in 2013, I went on a day cruise with Bateau Mouches and I prefer the Vendettes du Pont Neuf because they are smaller boats & less crowded.

Best wishes, may you love long and prosper. We've take several with different companies. Les Vedettes du Pont Neuf is by far the best in my book. Don't book ahead because you never know what the weather will do. Just show up. The advanced tickets don't save that much as I recall. Do it after sunset as the lights of the city are great - especially the Eifel Tower.

Also enjoyed Vendettes du Pont Neuf. In May 2016; no reservations, no problems. Did the evening cruise that they time to catch the Illumination of Eiffel Tower. Don't pay for a dinner cruise. Have a nice meal in the nearby neighborhood, before or after. You'll want to enjoy the sights vs. a menu and dinner on board.

(Just notice that Dick made the same comments; sorry for the repetition.)

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! Good advice to not book ahead because of the weather!

If you purchase tickets online, you can use them when you wish. I'd suggest you take the sunset cruise - which will be around 10:30 PM.

No it isn't Chexbres. You are thinking about summertime. The poster will be going in April and sunset in Paris, even at the end of April, is around 5:45. It will be really dark by around 6:20.

Depending on the date in April, sunset will be between 8:20 and 9:04.

https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/france/paris?month=4

I also took Pont Neuf. You can buy your tickets online right before you head for the boat and save a few euros per ticket. No reservations needed. I'd recommend Pont Neuf, they have a nice top deck to sit outside. If you are staying near the Eiffel Tower, there are very similar boats that start there, so it's probably not worth making the trip for Pont Neuf. Go after dark after taking a sunset stroll. The river is below Paris ground level and best when the city lights are already on.