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Seine River Cruise

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ATTRACTION GUIDE · PARIS

Seine River Cruise

Paris from the water: bridges, palaces and the Eiffel Tower gliding past in an hour.

Tickets & tours Open in Google Maps
Time needed
1 hour
Entry
Paid
Best time
Sunset · May–Sep
Area
Central Paris

See Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and the bridges of Paris from the water. A relaxing way to see the city with family.

Where it is & how to get there

Address: Port de la Bourdonnais, 75007 Paris (main departure points by the Eiffel Tower and Pont Neuf)

  • Eiffel Tower: Bateaux Parisiens and Vedettes de Paris leave from the river bank at the tower (RER C Champ de Mars).
  • Pont de l'Alma: Bateaux-Mouches leave from Pont de l'Alma (Metro 9 Alma-Marceau).
  • Pont Neuf: Vedettes du Pont Neuf leave from the tip of Île de la Cité (Metro 7 Pont Neuf).

The story of the Seine

The Seine has always been the main street of Paris. Boats carried wine, wood and stone into the city for centuries, and the river banks between the Eiffel Tower and Île Saint-Louis are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The famous Bateaux-Mouches were launched in 1949 to show visitors the city from the river. Today a classic one-hour cruise passes 30-odd bridges, the Louvre, Notre-Dame, the Musée d'Orsay and the Eiffel Tower.

Best time to visit

Best season

May to September for warm evenings on the open deck.

Best time of day

Book a sunset cruise to see the monuments in golden light, then lit up after dark.

Winter tip

Cruises run all year. In winter the glass-roofed boats stay warm and the city lights come on early.

Tips before you go

  • Take an evening cruise to see the monuments lit up.
  • Sit on the open top deck for photos, and bring a jacket even in summer.
  • The Batobus is a hop-on hop-off river shuttle with 9 stops, handy for sightseeing.
  • A dinner cruise is a special-occasion treat; a standard 1-hour cruise is the best value.

Best hotels near the Seine

Well-known hotels within easy reach. Check prices and availability for your dates.

Shangri-La Paris

Palace hotel by Pont d'Iéna, near the cruise departures.

See prices

Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel

Modern hotel next to the Eiffel Tower piers.

See prices

Hôtel Le Notre Dame Saint Michel

Riverside hotel near the Pont Neuf departures.

See prices
All hotels near the Seine

What's around the Seine

  • Eiffel TowerRight above the main departure piers.
  • Pont Alexandre IIIThe most ornate bridge in Paris, with golden statues.
  • Île de la CitéNotre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle on the island.
  • Musée d'OrsaySeen from the boat in its former station.

Questions travellers ask

How long is a Seine cruise?

A standard sightseeing cruise lasts about 1 hour. Dinner cruises last 2 to 2.5 hours.

Which company is best?

Bateaux Parisiens, Bateaux-Mouches and Vedettes de Paris all run similar routes. Choose the departure point nearest to you.

Do I need to book in advance?

Not for standard cruises outside peak times, but sunset and dinner cruises are best booked ahead.

More in Paris

Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower

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Louvre Museum

Louvre Museum

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Notre-Dame Cathedral

Notre-Dame Cathedral

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Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe

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Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur

Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur

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Musée d'Orsay

Musée d'Orsay

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Sainte-Chapelle

Sainte-Chapelle

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Palace of Versailles

Palace of Versailles

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Grande Mosquée de Paris

Grande Mosquée de Paris

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Travel Plan · Seine River Cruise Travel times, prices and opening hours change. Check official sites before you go. Photos: Unsplash. Privacy & disclosure