A boat trip on the Seine is a great way to see the whole of central Paris in an hour and a half. After all, the Seine is not just a river, but essentially the city’s main street.
Of all the sightseeing tours available, river trams are the best choice for Paris. There are several options for boat trips in Paris. Each of them is good in its own way, so be sure to check out all the offers before booking a trip.
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River tram with stops
One of the most convenient and popular options is Batobus. It is essentially a form of public transport. Its key feature is the ability to leave the river tram at any of the nine stops in the city centre: Notre Dame, Louvre, Orsay, Eiffel Tower, Paris City Hall, Champs-Élysées, Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Botanical Garden.
At the same time, the boat pass is not cancelled – it is issued for 24 or 48 hours.
Excursion boats depart every 20 minutes from March to September (every 25 minutes during the rest of the year). Tourists with a ticket can board any river tram to continue their journey. This is a very convenient offer, as it allows you to avoid using public transport for two days.
Boat trip on the Seine
If you want a more informative and exciting tour of the Seine, you should consider a classic audio-guided tour on a comfortable motorboat with an outdoor deck and terrace.
In summer, the river trams take a break at lunchtime. They are closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day.
This is the most direct way to see the centre of Paris: the boat follows a calm route without trying to surprise you with additional attractions. It is a good choice if you just want to «go out on the water» and look at the city.
When the embankments light up, the trip turns into a small evening cinema. Paris seems to slow down: trams along the Louvre, lights on the water, the silhouette of Notre Dame in the soft twilight.
The same route, but with a slight festive touch. Here, it’s not the contents of the glass that matter, but the mood: an hour spent on the water becomes a small reason to celebrate the day – even if there is no special occasion.
Lunch on a pleasure boat in Paris
Are you hungry, but don’t feel like going to a regular restaurant or café? Why not have a bite to eat on board a cruise ship sailing along the Seine! You can see the beauty of Paris during a lunch cruise. Passenger boarding ends fifteen minutes before departure. Every day, the chefs try to surprise the guests of the river tram with new dishes.
A smooth morning on the water: the city has not yet fully awakened, the embankments are almost empty, and the trip feels like a beautiful start to the day. A good choice if you want to replace your usual breakfast with something more memorable.
A classic daytime option: large windows, unhurried service and the pleasant feeling that lunch is turning into a separate outing. Good for those who like to combine food and travel.
Italian classics on the water: pasta, antipasti, dessert – all accompanied by familiar Parisian views. This option is chosen for its simplicity: it is more about pleasure and taste than complex presentation or a formal atmosphere.
Dinners on the river – an evening that becomes an event
Lunch on the water is, of course, nice. But dinner with your significant other in a romantic setting surrounded by the illuminated sights of Paris is much better. In the evening, live music creates a special atmosphere. Several violinists and a pianist perform classical compositions that encourage relaxation.
Come for lunch or dinner in advance. Seating begins about half an hour before the meal. Sometimes your seat depends on how early you arrive. Before dinner, the waiters will offer you an aperitif (a glass of wine or another alcoholic beverage to whet your appetite) to make the wait more enjoyable.
The evening is made up of little things: the singer’s voice, soft lighting and the smooth movement of the boat through the centre of Paris. It is a relaxed option, where the music creates the atmosphere rather than overshadowing the views.
A more modern approach than classic cruises: the dishes are simple and the mood is light, almost urban. Suitable for those who enjoy good cuisine without feeling overly formal.
A formal version of a river evening. Everything is a little more precise – from the table setting to the pace of service. This dinner is chosen by those who want to spend the evening beautifully and confidently, without a hint of everyday routine.
For those looking for something unusual
Sometimes you want to take an unusual route and see the city a little differently. There are cruises where the walk is complemented by games for children, sweets from a nearby pastry shop or passage through a narrow canal with locks. These are short mini-stories that make a day in Paris a little special.
The route leads through locks and a long underground tunnel – this is the Paris that is rarely shown on postcards. The water level changes: from a small canal to the wide Seine, and this transition is enjoyable in itself.
Children are given a booklet with questions about the city, and the walk turns into a small group activity. Parents get a regular tour, and children get a game that helps keep their attention.
This is not a gastronomic tour, but a walk with a pleasant addition: an hour on the water plus dessert near the tower – either waffles or fresh French crepes. A very ordinary but nice option.
Holiday cruises – rare trips for winter dates
In winter, rare trips appear on the Seine, which take place only on a few nights a year. They have a completely different atmosphere: more light, more entertainment, more desire to spend a beautiful evening and remember it fully. These cruises are not permanent, but that is precisely their charm: they create the feel of an event that will not be repeated tomorrow.
During the holidays, there is a daytime cruise with a glass roof, live music and a special festive menu. The trip is calm and bright thanks to the decorated embankments and feels like part of the overall festive season.
A short trip that ends right at midnight: lights on the embankments, small treats and a bottle of champagne in a bag. Suitable for those who want to celebrate the New Year in style, but without a long dinner.
A two-hour walk along the Seine, dinner, live singers, and then a big party on the pier until three in the morning. The most intense and festive option, chosen for the sake of the whole night.
A cruise on the Seine is not a mandatory part of the programme, but a way to spend time in your own way. There are many formats, but there is no difficult choice: you just need to understand what mood you are in today. Paris always looks different from the water – and that is its main advantage.
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