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Our decision was made simple on this visit as we were traveling with the Paris Pass and we were able to get free tickets with our pass for this cruise. Finally, we were not interested in any sort of meal or specialty cruise and the no-frills cruises provided by this company was a good fit for us. There is also an evening aperitif cruise, including a choice of a glass of wine (€24.5) or glass of champagne (€29).
Paris Seine River Dinner Cruise with Live Music by Bateaux Mouches
There is no narration during these boat tours as they are designed as a boat taxi service rather than an actual cruise. Staff members are on board, however, and can answer questions in both English and French. Step-free access via a ramp is available at the Eiffel Tower stop, and the bottom floor of the boats is wheelchair accessible. Some of the companies offer cruises seasonally whereas others operate year-round. Those that operate year-round often offer less frequent cruises in the low season. High season is generally from April to September and low season is from October to March.
Dinner Time – What to Expect
If you’re planning a visit to Paris, a Seine River dinner cruise is definitely an experience to consider. It’s one of the most enjoyable ways to take in the iconic landmarks of the city and it’s the #1 activity I recommend to any of my friends or family planning to visit Paris. Don’t listen to those who say the food on dinner cruises in Paris is not gourmet enough or that you cannot enjoy the sightseeing while having dinner. However, if you would prefer a cruise with commentary then you might consider taking a Seine River sightseeing cruise. Note that none of the dinner cruises we are aware of include any kind of sightseeing commentary as you travel up and down the river, as this would interrupt the ambience of the cruise.
What is the Best Seine River Dinner Cruise in Paris?
The actual cruise experience is the same as it’s the same boat, you just get a different menu. We have visited Paris many times, and one of the activities we always recommend folks do when visiting the city for the first time is to take a Seine River Cruise. They offer a unique perspective on the city and let you see many of the highlights of Paris as you relax onboard. Admire the monuments and museums of Paris during a peaceful cruise on the Seine, followed by a delicious dinner and cabaret show.
The rest of the cruise companies (most of which also offer regular sightseeing cruises) specialize in renting for private hires for larger groups, weddings, and corporate events. Some Seine River cruises packages are sold that include a Seine River cruise plus other attractions such as a visit to the Eiffel Tower, a private car tour, or the Moulin Rouge. These can be group experiences or, more commonly, private experiences. For example this evening tour (choice of dinner at Eiffel Tower or on the cruise) includes a Seine dinner cruise, Eiffel Tower visit, and Moulin Rouge show. They also offer short 30 minute stopover cruises that go between the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral, as well as longer round-trip cruises that last approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Dinner Cruise Menu đź“‹
On board the yacht, you’ll find spacious round tables, English bookcases, mahogany furniture, and soft lighting. It is certainly the most romantic luxury dinner cruise in Paris. The privilege and premier services (the most expensive) offer you a degree of privacy, making your time on board all the more romantic. You’ll enjoy privileged seating in one of the company’s restaurant boats, which, unlike some barges, give you the chance to admire Paris from behind the large picture windows. This tour is not just an early dinner cruise; it’s a harmonious blend of sightseeing, gastronomy, and music designed to appeal to families and couples. The 2 hours and 30 minutes cruise unfolds a breathtaking journey, passing by iconic landmarks like Notre Dame Cathedral, Concorde Square, and the Eiffel Tower river cruise.
Just like the Premier service, you’ll enjoy a glass of champagne as an aperitif followed by a starter, main course, cheese, and a dessert of your choice. Each group of four also receives a bottle of red and white wine. Of course, not all dinner cruises are the same, but you can find the perfect one for you below. You can of course be as dressed up as you like, we’ve seen some very smartly dressed folks on the dinner cruises we’ve taken in Paris. We think it adds to the experience to put a bit of effort into dressing up at least a little for the cruise. You should be able to check the menu online prior to booking your cruise, which we recommend doing to be sure there will be an option to your liking.
After researching the options ourselves, we personally chose Vedettes du Pont Neuf for an evening cruise along the Seine for a few reasons. If you are short on time in Paris and interested in seeing a lot of highlights in one day (and do a Seine River cruise), we recommend this full day walking tour. It includes a Louvre tour, visit to Eiffel Tower, Seine River cruise, view of Notre Dame, and visit to Montmartre.
6 Seine River Cruise Tips You Need to Know - Cruise Critic
6 Seine River Cruise Tips You Need to Know.
Posted: Wed, 16 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Mostly, the cost of a River Seine tour in this case depends on where you want to be seated, and what menu you opt for. The plain sightseeing cruise costs €18, with occasional offers for cheaper prices. The sun sets and night falls over Paris, the flagship Jean-Sébastien Mouche casts off its moorings and the harbour slowly drifts away. The mood is romantic, the magic is in force...You are the actors in a wonderful play, played only for you.
One of the leading boat tour companies that provide cruises along the River Seine is Bateaux Mouches. Literally translating to “Fly Boats”, their various boats have been plying not only the Seine but the canals of Paris since 1949. Some cruises, however, are longer, with some lasting up to two and a half hours. These may take you further along the river, but may also include additional perks such as entertainment, a meal and drinks. Yes, Seine River cruises are meant for tourists – and there should be no shame in that whatsoever. From the river, you can get magnificent views of the city so it is a great taster of the wonderful days you are going to spend in town.
They offer a unique opportunity to enjoy authentic French cuisine while sailing past iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. Combining sightseeing with a gourmet meal, they provide a memorable experience that captures the essence of Paris’s romantic and cultural allure. The sightseeing boats provide ample space to see the Eiffel Tower and other iconic sights as part of their one-hour cruise offering.
Another mainstay of boat cruise companies in Paris, Bateaux Parisiens offer up a range of cruise options with a fleet of seven sightseeing boats and five restaurant boats. The sights you see will vary depending on both the tour you choose and the time of day. For example, those booking an evening tour will see city sights such as the Eiffel Tower illuminated, while in the daytime you’ll see more details. In the summer in Paris it doesn’t get dark until quite late, so if you want to have a nighttime experience on one of these cruises you’ll need to book one with a later departure time. Conversely over winter it gets darker much earlier so you might not have as much choice over whether you cruise in the daylight or not.
Alternatively, there’s the Paris en Scène dinner cruise – keep in mind drinks are not included in the price. The boat ride lasts between 1.5 and two hours, depending on which one you pick. There really is no commentary on board the Paris en Scène as this is meant to be a meal-cruise, but the staff on board will speak English. The cheapest option is this Bateaux Parisiens cruise – perfect for travelers on a smaller budget. Bateaux Mouches boats offer tours in all weathers, thanks to heating, making this still a pleasant option in the winter months.
It's a pity, as I always try to find something unique in each cruise, but unfortunately, I could not find anything noteworthy about this one. For our cruise which departed later, this was when we watched the sunset, over our aperitifs. For our cruise which departed earlier, it remained light throughout the whole experience. There are a few things you will want to check before you book.
The Batobus is a hop-on, hop-off boat that runs along the River Seine, giving you the convenience to explore Paris on your own timescale and allowing you to create your own itinerary. You also have the option of this family friendly Vedette de Paris cruise which is perfect if you are visiting Paris with your children. With the comprehensive list of sights on offer, a trip with Vedettes de Paris is a great way to see a whole lot of Paris’ top sights. You can splurge a bit more with this Bateaux Parisiens lunch cruise that includes a 3-course meal and white or red wine. In terms of narration on board the Bateaux Parisiens, this vary. Cruises departing from the Eiffel Tower are provided with audio guides in several languages.
