Paris Cruises & boat tours

Paris boat tours: Everything you need to know

You have probably heard about the Seine river that runs through Paris, but it is so much more than that. A good tidbit of information for you to know: since 1991, its riverbanks are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the Seine, you can appreciate the architectural mastery of Notre Dame, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower, in addition to many other landmarks. 

Paris sightseeing cruises: See the city from the water

Combine one cruise with two ultimate Paris sightseeing experiences on a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower and a visit to Arc de Triomphe. See the city from the top of two of the most popular landmarks and choose your favorite. Can’t make up your mind? Go on a one-hour relaxing cruise on the Seine. You can always look at your phone’s camera roll and decide later.

Pretty confident the view from the top of the Iron Lady is the winner? Then opt for the cruise that includes an Eiffel Tower Visit with Summit and a skip-the-line entrance to the Louvre Museum. And just in case you’re not quite done figuring out what’s on Mona Lisa’s mind, you can jump back on the cruise another day. 

Paris dinner cruises: French cuisine with a view of the “City of Lights”

Indulge in a 3-course dinner while watching the sunset over Paris from your panoramic window. 

As you can imagine, few experiences are more romantic than the Evening Cruise with Dinner on River Seine. Sit back and relax with the City of Lights as your backdrop for two and a half hours.

The a la carte menu includes authentic culinary creations like duck foie gras and escargots. Vegetarians can opt for pressed quinoa and tofu terrine or buckwheat with silky tofu. For dessert, it’s a tough call between matured cheeses and creamy chocolate crisp. Vegan travelers can opt for the 3-course Dinner Cruise with Panorama on Seine River. This cruise offers a vegan menu upon request. 

Paris Illuminations cruise: Take in the city on a one-hour tour

Hop on board, sit back, and relax as Paris unfolds before your eyes. See the city on a shorter cruise, whether you’ve just reached or are bidding adieu to the City of Love.

The Paris: 1-hour illuminations river cruise takes you through the lit-up facades of the Louvre, the Grand Palais, and Notre Dame. The Iron Lady also puts up quite the light show every night, and you’ll get to see that too from the river. In case you prefer to see the city in the daytime, you can go for the Paris: 1-hour river Seine cruise departing every 30 minutes from 10:00 AM. 

Private river cruises: For those who want Paris all to themselves

Ditch the crowds and surprise your loved one with a private pontoon boat river cruise in Paris. On this 2-hour journey, it's just you, your better-half, and the city. Well, and the captain too because someone has to steer the ship while you enjoy the scenery.

Enjoy the complimentary bottle of wine and French appetizers as you float by the Pont des Arts, Musée d’Orsay, and Ile Saint Louis. Switch to the complimentary soft drinks if you don’t drink alcohol.

In Paris for a once-in-a-lifetime multigenerational family trip? You can choose this cruise too, as it has room for groups of up to 10 people.

Good-to-know tips for boat tours in Paris

• Prepare for a safe sailing experience by wearing comfortable clothes and shoes. Keep in mind that dinner river cruises might require passengers to follow a semi-formal dress code.
• Check all the information about the cruise you picked. If you're hoping to go on a cruise straight from the airport, confirm if the boat allows luggage.
• In addition to the Seine, don’t miss out on exploring Paris’s other body of water: Canal Saint-Martin. The routes on some cruises include both of them or you can rent a boat and explore it on your own. See if you can spot the setting for a famous scene from the well-known French movie "Amélie."
• Don’t just see Paris from the river, enjoy the Seine from the city too. The promenade by the river, Parc Rives de Seine, is a green family- and kid-friendly space with bike lanes that stretch on for 4 miles.

Read our complete guide to Paris, or discover the city's best experiences.