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Dinner Cruise in Paris by Bateaux Parisiens

Best Seine River Cruises & Boat Tours in Paris: reviews, tips

by stillinparis

cruise on the Paris Seine River is certainly one of the best ways to preview the most magnificent monuments in the City of Lights. Check out the finest selection of Boat Tours, and best river cruises in Paris and our reviews. Prices can vary from €15 for the simple boat tour by Bateaux Mouches to €300 for the luxury dinner cruise on the Seine River by Yachts de Paris.

Best Seine river cruises in Paris
Best Seine river cruises in Paris

We will present you below our review of Parisian boat companies to enjoy the best of the Seine River.

Bateaux Parisiens River cruise

Rating: 5 out of 5.
Seine River Cruise in Paris by Bateaux Parisiens
Seine River Cruise in Paris by Bateaux Parisiens

Bateaux Parisiens 1h-boat tour

The boats leave their base just north of the Eiffel Tower at Port de la Bourdonnais dock and run a one-hour river circuit (€16 per person( about US$16)). Audio guides are available in many languages (French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian…). This is the boat tour that Parisians prefer.

You will be able to enjoy the sight of 35 bridges, 14 monuments (Eiffel Tower, Invalides, Conciergerie, Notre Dame …), 4 museums (Louvre, Orsay, Grand Palais, Palais de Chaillot) and 2 islands.

Bateaux Parisiens Cruise route - Paris
Bateaux Parisiens boat tour route – Paris

One-hour boat tour price:

  • €16 (US$ 16)
  • €7.50 for kids aged 12 or less

hours:

  • One departure every 30 mins until 10.30 pm from April to September
  • One departure every hour until 9.30 pm from October to March

Read more about Bateaux Parisiens River cruises

Bateaux Parisiens Dinner Cruise

River Cruise with dinner by Bateaux Parisiens
River Cruise with dinner by Bateaux Parisiens

You could opt for a dinner cruise with some French gastronomic food, some romantic music, and an amazing view of the illuminated monuments. Whether you decide to try it with your lover or with your family, the Diamant will delight you.

Our review: It is certainly one of the best Seine river cruises in Paris: the food is very good and the staff is friendly.

Bateaux-Parisiens Dinner Cruise price:

  • Paris Essential
    • from €89
    • Departure time: 6:15 pm

  • Paris Dinner Cruise with live music:
    • Etoile Menu: €109 (US$110)
    • Tasting Menu: €139 (US$140)
    • Privilege Menu: €170 (US$170)
    • Premier Menu€205 (US$205)
    • Departure time: 8.30 pm – prices depends on seating
  • Metro :Bir-Hakeim, line 1 and 6

Our tip: Booking in advance is mandatory! Price for kids: €34

Bateaux-Mouches Cruises & Boat Tours

Rating: 5 out of 5.
Paris dinner river cruise by Bateaux Mouches
Paris dinner river cruise by Bateaux Mouches

The very famous Bateaux Mouches (fly-boats) company is based at port Conférence, on the right bank of the Seine, just east of Pont de l’Alma. It runs 1000-seat tour boats making it the biggest on the Seine. You have, of course, the choice between many packages from the simple one-hour boat trip to the complete dinning cruise with a gourmet meal and some champagne.

NB: Traveling during lunch time will save you some money!

The 1 hour Bateaux Mouches Boat Tour

Bateaux-Mouches Boat Tour in Paris
Bateaux-Mouches Boat Tour in Paris

The Bateaux Mouches boat trip is considered as one the best boat tour in Paris it is the most famous. And, good news, the Fly boats are not too expensive.

Prices: 

  • €15
  • €6 for kids aged 12 or less

Departure every 15min or 30 min until 11 pm (9 pm in winter) – Duration 1.10 hour.

Bateaux Mouches Dinner Cruise

Bateaux Mouches - Fly boat trip
Bateaux Mouches – Fly boat trip

The Bateaux Mouches company proposes a high class dinner on board its refined boat including:

  • A la carte menus including French wine and service fees.
  • 2 menus available:
    • Prestige: €115
    • Excellence: €155
    • for kids: €39
    • Departure :8.30 pm
  • Violin and piano music will animate your dinner during the cruise.

Price for kids: €39

Our review:

The Bateaux Mouches company offers a good quality dinner cruise , with a refined dinner and comfortable boats. As it is the most famous company, the boats are crowded.

Bateaux Mouches Lunch Cruise

The Bateaux Mouches company proposes a lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

  • Prices:  €80 (€39 for kids aged 12 or less)
  • Departure at 12.30 pm – Duration 1.45hour.

Read more about Bateaux Mouches lunch cruise.

Paris romantic river Cruise by Bateaux-Mouches

A chauffeur-driven car will pick you up at your habitation in Paris and drive you to the riverboat, where you will be received as special guests. You will be taken to the “Admiral’s table”, where roses and champagne will announce the beginning of a wonderful romantic dinner. Sophisticated cuisine, will be prepared on board by the chef.

  • Price: €650 for 2, all included.
  • Departure every evening depending on availability
  • book 48h in advance.

Read more about Bateaux-Mouches boat company.

Departures port: Port de la Conférence, 75008 Paris (Mo Alma-Marceau, l.9)

The Marina de Paris river cruises

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Marina de Paris river cruise with dinner
Marina de Paris river cruise with dinner

The Marina de Paris welcomes you for lunch or dinner cruises on the Seine. It’s an opportunity to discover the city in a new light that can’t be missed. The experience offers wonderful perspectives on Paris most famous monuments, museums, and picturesque bridges.

If you opt for the dinner cruise, you will be comfortably settled for a gastronomic and refined meal while enjoying sights of the Conciergerie, the Louvre Museum, the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower and, of course, all the Parisian typical bridges crossing the Seine.

Once the night has come, the capital takes the appearance of an immense set whom the beauty seduces visitors of the whole world with its floodlit facades.

Marina de Paris possibilities:

For New Year’s Eve, you can opt for a Special NYE Dinner River Cruise

Departure:

Marina de Paris , Port Solferino, 23 Quai Anatole France 75007 Paris
Metro : Musée d’Orsay (RERC ) , Solférino or Assemblée Nationale (l.12)

Les Vedettes du Pont Neuf Paris boat tour

Vedettes de Pont Neuf boat
Vedettes de Pont Neuf boat

Les Vedettes du Pont Neuf run from the Pont Neuf in Central Paris near Notre Dame and offers many kinds of cruises.

From the simple boat promenade for €14 to the gourmet dinner cruise, this is certainly one of the best options when it comes to value if you want to sail in the Seine river.

They also propose dinner cruises and boat tours during lunch time.

Our review: it is a very comfortable boat tour on the Seine rivers in smaller boats with a departure near Notre Dame Cathedral. And it is the less expensive.

  • Departures at square du Vert Galant (Mo Pont Neuf)
  • Price: from €14

>>info about the Vedettes du Pont-Neuf

The Paris Canal boat trip

Rating: 4 out of 5.
Cruise Canauxrama in Canal Saint Martin
Paris Canal Boat tour

Paris Canal navigates between Orsay Museum and Parc de la Villette along the charming Canal Saint Martin and Canal de l’Ourq. The cruise lasts about 2.30 hours and is available from March to October only.

It is very appreciated for its originality due to the fact that it’s a cruise on Parisian canals and tunnels. On sunny days, the view is wonderful. The Canal St Martin recently became a trendy area with many colorful shops on its bank. During the spring and summer times, many young Parisian chose to picnic there. It is the most original boat ride in Paris

  • Price: 18€
  • Departure:
    • Paris Arsenal (Mo Bastille, l1) or Bassin de la Villette (Mo Jaures, L2)

Capitaine Fracasse

Capitaine Fracasse Seine Cruise in Paris
Capitaine Fracasse Seine Cruise in Paris

Capitaine Fracasse is a boat shaped like paddle steamers of the Mississippi which suggests you a long dinner cruise on the Seine while having dinner. An original moment.

The cruise of the Capitaine Fracasse lasts 2 hours. You cross all Paris by boat while dining with your lover or with friends.
The route is beautiful and original. It is one of the best value dinner cruise in Paris.

The boat also proposes offers for special events: St Valentin, Christmas, New Year’s Day .

  • Departure from Ile aux Cygnes, Mo Bir-hakeim at 9.30 .
  • Prices: from €74 to €110.

>> Book your Capitaine Fracasse dinner cruise

Yachts de Paris – the luxury dinner cruise

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Luxury dinner cruise by Yachts de Paris
Luxury dinner cruise by Yachts de Paris

Yacht de Paris is a high-class boat company. You can try one of their privatized luxury yachts or you can opt for dinner on the Don Juan II, a Yacht dedicated to gourmet cruise on the Seine river.

If you choose the Don Juan II option, you’ll have an unforgettable gourmet dinner (prepared by Lenotre) while enjoying the beautiful sight of Parisian monuments. It very appreciated by Parisian palaces guests.

Departure around 8 pm at Quai Henry IV (Mo Bastille)

Price:

  • €220 (US$220)
  • €270 with drinks

Read more about Luxury Dinner Cruises in Paris

Les Vedettes de Paris

Vedettes de Paris boat tour at night
Vedettes de Paris boat tour at night

Les Vedettes de Paris company also proposes great choices of tours from the simple promenade to the dinner-cruise.

Its beautiful small boats allows you to enjoy a tour in a more confidential atmosphere.

The company is located close to the Tour Eiffel : Port de Suffren (Mo Passy).

Price : from €20

More info: www.vedettesdeparis.fr/

Other Boat tours in Paris

Batobus, the river Shuttle

Batobus river shuttle
Batobus river shuttle

The boat shuttles run 8 stops. Each station serves a touristic district or a famous monument: The Eiffel Tower, Musée d’Orsay (quai de Solférino), Notre Dame (quai de Montbello), Hotel de Ville, the Louvre…

You will get a pass that allows you to hop on and off whenever you like no matter the station.

Prices:

  • 1 day, €15 (€7 kids under the age of 16)
  • 2 days, €18 (€9 kids under the age of 16) – annual, €60 (€38 kids under the age of 16)

Frequency: every 20 min Apr. to Oct. – every 25 min Sept. to Mar.

Batostar – Electric Boat

Board an electric boat for a 40 min river cruise through the historic center of Paris, around the Saint Louis Island and the Cité Island.

Departure at the foot of the pont Marie Bridge, port de l’Hotel de Ville dock

Mo Pont Marie l7 or Hotel de Ville l.1 and 11.

Is it worth to have a boat tour or a dinner cruise in Paris?

The Seine river has always been a central element of Paris. Parisians have transformed this wide waterway in one of the city’s most beautiful avenues. Cruising the Seine River is a must do and it is not only appreciated by tourists.

When Parisians receive guests, the number one priority is to take them on a bateau-mouche trip on the Seine. And the seduction always operates.

Sight-seeing boats run between the Eiffel Tower and the Saint-Louis Island. You can choose your preferred kind of boat trip (romantic, cultural or familial). It can seem a little bit touristy but it is certainly a good experience in Paris.

What is the cheapest boat tour in Paris?

The cheapest boat tour is the Vedettes du Pont Neuf’s one (from €13). It starts from the Pont Neuf, closed by the Notre Dame Cathedral. the Boat are smaller the Bateaux Mouches ones.

Is a Seine Cruise worth it ?

We clearly recommend to have a cruise or a boat tour for your first visit of Paris as the Seine is a central element of the french capital . The view from the river is wonderful. A dinner or a lunch onboard a boat is also a unique experience.

What about you? Have you ever been on a river cruise in Paris before? Which one? Did you like it? Feel free to leave a comment!

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9 comments

Mary 30/10/2014 - 6:42 pm

Thanks for those tips, it is necessary to book in advance for a cruise?

Reply
Julie 30/10/2014 - 8:37 pm

For simple cruises you don’t have to book in advance but it allows you to skip the line(useful When u are with kids). For lunch and diner cruises, I really advise you to book in advance to avoid bad surprises

Reply
stillinparis 21/11/2014 - 1:30 pm

I agree with Julie, you not necessary need to book in advance for simple cruises. but for events or special cruises it’s best. And you can save money if you book in advance.

Reply
Pradeep 25/01/2015 - 1:24 pm

We are visiting Paris in family in April and we are looking for activities with kids. Is it possible to have a river cruise with a Baby? does companies accept it? Prices are they reduced ?

Reply
stillinparis 24/12/2015 - 7:40 pm

Yes Pradeep , its possible . The boats are secured and price are reduced for kids. Enjoy !

Reply
Cecilia 21/02/2016 - 4:53 am

I will be with my family in March and would like to know which is the best alternative for a dinner cruise with the Paris night tour or illumination tour as they call it.
My son is turning 17 that night. I want it to be special but no soooo expensive.
What would be your suggestion ?
Thank you !!

Reply
Dhow Cruise Creek 13/05/2019 - 12:35 pm

I love Cursing, it really is something else feeling the flow of the wind in the middle of the Ocean, I am making plans to go on the Dhow Cruise Creek in the near future.

Reply
Pamela 08/12/2020 - 7:26 pm

Hello,
Do you know please if there are similar tour still available for new year? Since all the above are full and are available starting February.
I am coming to France just for the Christmas and New year so I would be grateful if you have any recommendations.
Thank you

Reply
stillinparis 29/12/2020 - 6:20 pm

There will be no cruise for this New Years-eve due to the pandemic.
We hope diner cruises will be available in February but it is not sure

Reply

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