Seine River Boat Ride

The big cruises look to be pretty much the same - ride from near the Pont de Alma to past Notre Dame and then back. The more unique experience is to take the Paris Canal Boat tour that leaves from near the Musee d'Orsay and then also goes past Notre Dame but then goes up into the Canal St. Martin. The boat first goes through a large tunnel below the Place Bastille and then comes into open air in a leafy neighborhood. It transits a series of locks as it makes its way into the northeast corner of Paris near the Cite des Sciences.

The starting point is not important. Pick a place close to where you are staying. Take the dinner cruise because seeing the city at dusk is appealing.

Carl, your advice doesn't make sense. The dinner cruises only start from near the Eiffel Tower. It's not like you can stroll down down the block in Montmarte and pick one up.

Am I missing your meaning?

I personally think a 12 and 16 year old would not particularly enjoy the Seine dinner cruise. I would opt for a day cruise on any of the tour boats -- or the Canal St. Martin cruise (which is really good). I think youngsters would like it - oldsters too!

You do not have to do the dinner cruise to enjoy one in the evening. The dinner cruises typically depart at 8:30 p.m. However, many cruises have tours departing until 21:30 (9:30 p.m.) or perhaps later depending on the time of year you are going to be in Paris. Hopefully, you'll be there at a time of year that going late in the evening will enable you to see the lights.

Forget the dinner cruise. Take the Batobus. It shuttles up and down the Seine. Hop on Hop off. It stops at eight tourist destinations. Review their web sight for specifics.

I agree with the night ride - Paris is beautiful at night. You can pick up a ride at several locations. It's even a great rainy day activity because the boats are enclosed.

We went at night in December and sat on the upper deck outside. It was freezing but the views were incredible - especially the Eiffel Tower all light up in blue. It was our best night in Paris.

All friends coming to visit us with teenagers hate the boat ride experience after it's too late. Maybe truer with boys than girls, but still.

If you want to get them very excited and do some cool stuff they will brag about for years, get them on a segway tour. I can give you a couple of links if you private message me. You can still go with the boat if you will, and meet them at the other side.

Just for reference, there is actually a boat cruise for kids... but I think it's rather suited for 3-10 y.o., with songs and muppet shows.