The Ultimate Guide to Help You Plan Your Seine River Cruise Visit
Flowing through the heart of Paris, the Seine River perfects the City of Love’. The best way to catch the beauty of Paris is by taking a cruise boat along the River Seine. Explore the charming Parisian architecture, stunning historic footbridges, busy neighborhoods, and world-famous landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower. Stay on this page to find out how to plan your visit to the Seine River Cruises.
Seine River Cruises Opening Hours
The Seine River Cruises operate from 12 PM to 9 PM.
The cruises operate year-around and are open every day.
Know MoreBest Time to Visit | Seine River Cruises
Weekday vs Weekend: Tickets for the Seine River cruise are always in demand so book yours in advance to secure a spot. Weekends are usually crowded. If you are not comfortable with crowds, the best time to enjoy your Seine River Cruise is during weekdays, around the time of sunset.
Peak Season vs Low Season: The best time to visit Paris is between October and April, during the off-season. This is an ideal time for tourists to explore outdoor activities in the city. Another good time to visit is in the summer, between June and August. Parisians leave the city for vacation in summer and tourists can enjoy plenty of sunshine and occasional rain. Paris summers are mild, with temperatures staying around 19 degrees Celsius. Avoid visiting Paris in the spring, between March and May, which is the peak tourist season. Winter begins in December and stretches till February. If you can tolerate temperatures as low as 2 degrees, you can consider visiting in winter.
Where is the Seine River Cruise?
There are multiple tour agencies operating river cruises on the Seine River in Paris. Most cruise companies are in and around the Pont d'Iéna bridge and Pont de l'Alma bridges, close to the Eiffel Tower.
Address: Bateaux Parisiens, Port de la Bourdonnais, 75007 Paris, France | Find on maps
How to Get to the Seine River Cruise?
By Public Transport
By Metro: Travel on Metro routes 6 or 9 to reach Pont d'Iéna bridge. The nearest metro station is Lena, just 4 minutes away from the entrance by foot. The approximate travel time is around 40 minutes.
By RER: Travel on the C Line of RER, a hybrid commuter rail and rapid transit system in Paris and its suburbs. The nearest station is Pont de l'Alma, just 4 minutes away by car. The approximate travel time is around 40 minutes.
By Train: Train routes L and N pass through Pont d'Iéna. The nearest railway station is Saint-Lazare, about 3 kilometers away from the boarding point. The approximate travel time is around 60 minutes from the outskirts of Paris.
By Bus: The bus routes passing through Pont d'Iéna are 30, 72, & 82. All the bus stops are around 5 minutes away from the boarding point by foot. The approximate travel time is 45 minutes.
By Car
If you're driving to get to the Seine River Cruise, here are a few nearby parking facilities.
Know Before You Go
- Audio guide: Visitors can enjoy the cruise while listening to audio guides in different languages.
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi connectivity on the boat allows users to connect smartphones or listen to audiobooks on headphones.
- Coffee and Snacks: Tourists can enjoy coffee and snacks on board, depending on the type of cruise.
Seine River Crises are accessible to visitors with reduced mobility.
- The Bateaux-Mouches cruises near Pont de l'Alma bridge are wheelchair accessible.
- The Bateaux Parisiens cruises near Pont d'Iéna bridge offer assistance to wheelchair users.
- Both Bateaux Parisiens and Bateaux-Mouches offer family-friendly cruises.Children under four years can travel for free on some Bateaux-Mouches cruises.
- Dining cruises with Bateaux-Mouches allow baby bottle reheating.
- There are special menus for children on the Bateaux-Mouches lunch and evening cruises.
- For health and safety reasons, dogs or animals except guide dogs, are not allowed on the cruises.
- Lunchtime cruises require all visitors to wear smart casuals, while smart dresses are mandatory on the evening cruise.
- Guests wearing sportswear, flip-flops, Bermuda shorts, and baseball caps will not be permitted on board.
- Visitors are requested to reach the departure point at least 15 to 20 minutes before the cruise starts.
- Passengers are not allowed to enter the power unit or cockpit without permission.
- For safety reasons, no materials considered dangerous by the boat crew are allowed on board.
- Visitors are encouraged to book tickets online to avoid physical contact.
- Masks are not mandatory as of April 14, 2022.
- Hand sanitization points are available for visitors.
- All cruise boats are cleaned and disinfected regularly.
Lunch & Dinner Cruises: Visitors can choose various lunch & dinner cruises to savor a three-course traditional French cuisine with wine and champagne.
Le Bistro Parisien: This diner is very close to the Seine River cruise by Bateaux Parisiens. You can enjoy steak, burger, and fish while adoring the view of the Eiffel Tower.
Firmin le Barbier: A typical French Bistro about 4 minutes away by car from Bateaux Parisiens. Enjoy steak and fish in a vintage Paris ambiance.
L'Avenue: This upscale French Bistro is a 3-minute drive from Bateaux Mouches. The prime location offers charming views of the Eiffel Tower and gorgeous Seine River sunsets.
If you'd like to stay close to the gorgeous Seine River, here are a few options for you.
Hotel Chambiges Elysees: This is an upscale tourist favorite hotel close to Avenue des Champs-Élysées. You can enjoy the Grand Palais art museum and go on a shopping spree at the high-end stores. Distance: 4-minute drive from Bateaux-Mouches. (4 minute drive from Bateaux-Mouches)
Hôtel Alison: Located in the coveted 8th arrondissement of Paris, this three-star hotel is highly rated by the visitors for its proximity to art museums, high-end shopping stores, and the iconic Champs Elysées. Distance: 5-minute drive from Bateaux-Mouches. (5 minute drive from Bateaux-Mouches)
Seine River Cruises | Options
Sightseeing Cruises
On a sightseeing cruise, you get to look at iconic Parisian landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Orsay Museum, Pantheon, the Louvre, and more. Enjoy the beautiful views from a glass canopy cruise boat while listening to an engaging audio commentary available in 14 languages.
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Lunch Cruises
Cruise along the Seine River aboard a delightful ship as you chomp down some delicious lunch. There are various lunch options for you to choose from like the Etoile Service, the Privilege Service, and the Premier Service. Get panoramic views of iconic monuments and buildings across the city.
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Dinner Cruises
Enjoy stopping at the many landmarks of Paris after sunset as you sail along the Seine River. Dinner cruises include a delicious three-course meal with wine/champagne to make your evening more enjoyable. Sit back, relax, and have a beautiful evening in the city of love.
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Hop-On-Hop-Off River Cruise
Get on board a Batobus to explore Paris at your own pace. You can choose from 24 hour passes, 48 hour passes, and annual cruise passes. With 9 stops, this hop-on-hop-off cruise lets you explore Paris like a native. Don't forget to grab a detailed route map detailing boarding points for a memorable cruise.
Book NowVisitor Tips
- Seine River cruises are a popular tourist draw in Paris. Book your tickets in advance to secure a seat on the cruise.
- All cruise companies prefer visitors to wear smart casual clothing.
- Photography is allowed on the Seine River cruise. Visitors can also hire professional photographers aboard the ship.
- The boarding point for most of the cruises is located at the Eiffel Tower, making it easy for tourists to start cruising right after visiting Eiffel Tower.
- Avoid luggage and hug bags as most cruises don't provide a locker room facility.
Frequently Asked Questions About Taking a Seine River Cruise
A. Yes, Seine River cruises are open to the public.
A. Seine River cruises are the best way to explore Paris. Discover breathtaking Parisian monuments such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, The Louvre Museum, and more.
A. No, Seine River cruises are run by tour agencies and everyone is required to purchase tickets to enjoy the experience.
A. Seine River cruise tickets are available online.
A. Seine River cruises tickets start from €16.
A. The best time to take a Seine River cruise is during the weekday during sunset.
A. Seine River cruises take place between 12 PM and 9 PM daily.
A. Yes, you can book Seine River cruise tickets for groups.
A. Yes, Seine River cruises are perfect for families with children.
A. Yes, the Seine River cruises are accessible to people with reduced mobilities.
A. Yes, Visitors can buy coffee and snacks on board some cruises. If you want to take a cruise with dining options, book tickets for lunchtime cruises and dinner cruises. Most of these cruises serve three-course French meals with or without wine/champagne.
A. The duration of a Seine River cruise depends on the type of ticket you book.
A. Yes, taking a Seine River cruise is one of the nicest ways to explore the city of Paris.
