Vedettes du Pont Neuf Paris Seine cruise

We just got back from Paris last Thursday and rode the Vedettes du Pont Neuf. On the timed tickets, there is only one line for boarding. We arrived about 15-20 minutes prior to get in line and we were in the front. The advantage of buying a timed ticket is that you are guaranteed a seat.

Can’t comment on the timing for the Eiffel Tower as we went on the cruise during the daytime. We did a vintage Citroen tour that started at 9:00 and we reached the Eiffel Tower about 10, just as it was shimmering. I would look up the schedule for the Eiffel Tower to see if your timing works. With the Vedettes tour, you reach the Eiffel Tower about 1/2 way through your ride.

I would go for the 9:45 PM cruise. My grandkids and I were in Paris in early April this year and took the evening cruise. We booked tickets for the 8:15 pm cruise, and sunset was at 8:30 pm that evening. We arrived at the Eiffel Tower around 8:45 pm, in time for the sparkles and shimmering lights.

Therefore, if sunset is at 10 PM while you are there, then booking the 9:45 PM cruise should give you that same allotment of time.

Also, I agree with SandyO about the tickets. We bought our timed tickets a few hours earlier, and got to the bridge around 8 pm, and there were already people starting to line up, and there was only one line. In fact, the couple ahead of us did not have tickets, so one of them went off to buy them while the other kept their place in line.

You do want to get in line early for boarding so you can get good seats on the upper deck.

The wait in line is not onerous nor long (not like the Louvre for instance) as the departures are frequent. Be in line to get tickets on top for the best views. Remember to bring a wrap if the weather is cool in the evening.