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Travel bucket list idea:

Last updated: 10 March, 2024
Expert travel writer: Anna Brooke

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: Any
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

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

Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise

Paris

Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise
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 4.36 / 5 [4996 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Paris Seine River Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Cruise

Paris

Paris Seine River Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Cruise
Cruise along Paris’ Seine River on a hop-on hop-off sightseeing cruise! Use a 1-day ticket (24H) to travel to top Paris attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum, or upgrade to a 2-days (48 consecutive hours) ticket for another consecutive day of sightseeing. The validity of your pass starts at the moment you board for the first time. Simply hop on and off as many times as you like at any of the nine stops along the Seine River’s UNESCO-listed riverbanks.

Price: €23

Min age: 0

Rating 4.02 / 5 [2872 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Paris Seine River Dinner Cruise with Live Music by Bateaux Mouches

Paris

Paris Seine River Dinner Cruise with Live Music by Bateaux Mouches
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: €115

Min age: 0

Rating 4.42 / 5 [2569 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Lunch & Sightseeing Cruise

Paris

Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Lunch & Sightseeing Cruise
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 [1766 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Paris Seine River Champagne Tasting Cruise

Paris

Paris Seine River Champagne Tasting Cruise
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 wine 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. THIS TOUR IS ONLY AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH.

Price: €69

Min age: 0

Rating 4.42 / 5 [466 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Destination guides

1

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Paris

Ile-de-France, France

Aerial view of Paris with the Eiffel Tower in frame against a beautiful golden sunset

Crammed with iconic buildings, world-class art and a culinary scene steeped in history, Paris is one of the world’s great capitals, overflowing with style, romance, and art de vivre.