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Cruises on the Seine

We would like to travel by boat on the Seine, but not a dinner cruise. Any suggestions as to which company to use, where to embark and in which direction to go? We've heard that late afternoon/early evening is the best time.

Thanks,

Maureen

Posted by
477 posts

We used this one when in Paris for a night cruise. IT completes a full circle of all the sites starting and ending at Pont Neuf. They leave about every 1/2 hour and the cruise is about an hour. You can print out a discount coupon from the website. In the summer the last cruise leaves at 10:30 so you can see the sites all lit up though some people enjoyed it better during the daylight.
http://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com/

There is also the Batobus which is a hop on hop off boat. www.batobus.com

Posted by
506 posts

Maureen -

There are multiple companies that provide Bateaux Mouche cruises along the Seine day and night.

Compagnie des Bateaux-Mouches
Port de la Conférence, Pont de l'Alma, 75008, Paris.
(Right Bank, one bridge down from the Grand Palais)
Phone: 01-42-25-96-10 or 01-40-76-99-99; Fax: 01-42-25-02-28.
E-mail: [email protected]
Métro: Alma-Marceau (line 9); RER: Gare Pont de l'Alma (line C).
Bus: lines 42, 92, 63, 72, 80, 83, 28, 49.
Taxi Station: Corner of avenues Georges V and Montaigne.
Cars: Free parking. Entrance from Alma Bridge. Maximum time 2h45.

OR

Bateaux Parisiens (Sodexho Alliance)
Port de la Bourdonnais, 75007 Paris (near the Eiffel Tower, on the left bank)
Métro: Bir-Hakeim - Grenelle (line 6); RER-C: Champs de Mars - Tour Eiffel; Bus: Lines 42, 82.
For information, call: 08-25-01-01-01 (€0.15/min.) — or make a reservation online.

Posted by
277 posts

You could take the Batobus. It is an HOHO boat that travels the Seine. It stops at eight sightseing destinations. You can stay on for as long as you like. After a long day of walking, we stayed on the boat for two round trips, took a snooze, and brougt a bag lunch while watching the sights along the way. They have a web site.

Posted by
335 posts

Hi Maureen, My favorite boat tours have been the Maxim's one (daytime, non-dinner) for the info provided and the one that leaves from Pont Neuf (nighttime). The one I really didn't like was the big, crowded, touristy Bateaux Mouches. The Batobus tour info was kind of boring but it was good for getting from place to place. And I love the idea someone suggested of staying on for awhile and having lunch as you tour! Have fun while you tour my favorite city!

Posted by
11507 posts

The Batobus, was not great, in summer it is a travelling oven as the boats are all covered.
We liked the Bateaux Mouches and Pont Vendettes( I think I spelt that one wrong) . All I know is the Batobus hoho was not good, but the one Bateaux Mouches had an evening cruise that was only about an hour hour an half, and we really enjoyed it.

Posted by
258 posts

I took a cruise on the Seine with Bateaux Vedettes du Pont-Neuf. I did a late afternoon/early evening one. It was definately a nice time to go. Just make sure you have a jacket or something as it cools off into the evening.

Posted by
3313 posts

Another option is to take a cruise on a canal boat.

This one departs from the quai below the Orsay Museum. It goes up the Seine past most of the sights you'd see on the Bateaux Mouches but then turns into the Canal St. Martin and makes a leisurely way through leafy canal-side neighborhoods in Paris you might not otherwise see. It drops you by the Cite des Sciences where you can get on the Metro to return.

It takes about 2 1/2 hours. The narration is in French and English and is fascinating.

Posted by
67 posts

Another option to consider is to take Fat Tires evening bike tour. It include a boat ride at the end.

Posted by
35 posts

Are there open spaces on these boats?

If they are completely enclosed, can we see as much?

Thanks,

Posted by
390 posts

On the Vedettes du Pont Neuf boats, they have an enclosed area and an open deck. We sat on the deck, so I'm not sure how the viewing is from the enclosure.