Bucketlist Travels logo

Travel bucket list idea:

Boat tours of Paris

  • Paris, Ile-de-France, France

Last updated: 10 March, 2024

There’s no better way to see the sights in one magical sweep than by boat along the Seine.

From the filigree girders of the Eiffel Tower to the giant clock of the Orsay Museum and the Mansard rooftops of the Louvre – not to mention the statue-studded bridges – the waterway provides a unique and crowd-free viewpoint for taking in the city’s treasures.

Book a dining cruise on a riverboat, hire your own private boat or opt for the hop-on-hop-off boat-buses. They’re all good, but for extra romance, go at night, when the monuments are lit up and the Eiffel Tower sparkles.

Logistics

Price from: £15
Minimum age: 0
Age suitable: 4+
When: All year around
Duration: 1+ hour

Getting there & doing it

For dinner cruises, Ducasse sur Seine is consistently excellent, offering modern French cuisine and panoramic windows.

Batobus’ hop-on-hop-off service covers nine stops, making it a fun option for sightseeing while getting around town.

But the most dramatic way to do it – with the wind in your hair and rosé in your hand – is with Lakana Paris Cruise, whose captain-commandeered four-person boats give you a bespoke ride along the ripples.

When to do it

Boat trips and dinner cruises run all year round, so check individual websites for times. Spring and autumn are the best times, when it’s hot but not scorching. And at night, when the city twinkles.

Who to go with: organised tours

9

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

  • Paris

Combine a glamorous dinner in Paris with sights of the city's must-see attractions on this evening sightseeing cruise down the River Seine. While relaxing on board your Bateaux Parisiens boat, enjoy a 3 or 4 course meal (depending on the menu chosen) from an à la carte menu, listen to music and watch sights like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre as you cruise by !

Price €125

Min age 0

Rating 4.38 / 5 [5482 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Website >
  • Paris

Jean Bruel created “Bateaux-Mouches®” in 1949, introducing a novel activity to the Seine and marking the advent of river tourism in Paris. More than 70 years later, the tradition continues : take a cruise on the Seine and admire the sights of Paris while enjoying a fine dinner ! Glide along the river and see the Ville Lumière from a different angle. Take a seat and relax as the city's iconic landmarks flash before your eyes. The large windows give you the best view while a three-course meal is served. An evening cruise of almost three hours gives you the chance to see Paris from its most beautiful avenue. The illuminated monuments provide a breathtaking backdrop, while a three-course dinner is served, accompanied by an aperitif and a wine of your choice. Choose the Excellence menu and make the most of this fabulous city at night. All cruises also feature live music to accompany your Paris dining experience.

Price €120

Min age 0

Rating 4.44 / 5 [3217 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Website >
  • Paris

Treat yourself to an elegant lunch in Paris with this 2-hour afternoon sightseeing cruise down the Seine River. Aboard your Bateaux Parisiens boat, relax over a 3 or 4 course French meal (depending on the menu chosen) while enjoying music and fantastic views of Paris' most iconic attractions including the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Louvre Museum and the Musée d'Orsay. A choice of seating options and wine selections are available when booking.

Price €79

Min age 0

Rating 4.63 / 5 [1977 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Website >
  • Paris

See all of Paris' noteworthy sights in just one day accompanied by an expert local guide. You'll make the most of your time with pre-reserved tickets to the Louvre Museum to see the Mona Lisa and many other masterpieces. Explore the City of Light by foot on city strolls through Montmartre and Ile de la Cité, where you'll see the ongoing restoration at Notre Dame. Head over to Trocadero Square for a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower. Then, pick up a ticket for a Seine River cruise to take in a Paris sunset from the water. With a small group, expert guide, and all the logistics taken care of, there's no better way to see Paris' major sights in one single day.

Price €135

Min age 0

Rating 4.82 / 5 [541 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Website >
  • Paris

If sipping Champagne while cruising down The River Seine is your idea of heaven, this champagne tasting cruise will be a highlight of your trip to Paris! The Champagne will be flowing as you cruise down the River Seine past some of Paris' most famous monuments. Combining a sightseeing cruise and Champagne tasting, you'll enjoy a champagne presentation by an expert sommelier, held in a private area at the front of the boat while you cruise along the Seine. It's important to ARRIVE BEFORE THE DEPARTURE of the boat because the boat won't be able to delay the departure time that is 6:30 PM. We advise you to arrive between 6:00pm and 6:15pm maximum. THIS TOUR IS ONLY AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH.

Price €69

Min age 0

Rating 4.38 / 5 [508 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Website >