- Admire Paris landmarks from the river viewpoint - Experience Parisian landmarks from a river view. Cruise for panoramic vistas of iconic sites—Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Les Invalides — get to see them from a different point of view.
- Highly popular Parisian experience - Get to enjoy the mesmerising Paris architecture while sipping on wine and savoring cheese and other French delicacies. It doesn't get more French than this!
- Revel in the beauty of the Seine - The Seine, a UNESCO Heritage Site, enchants with its beauty. Paris boat tours offer insights into charming neighborhoods, picturesque bridges, and more.
- Witness the evolution of Paris - The Seine's calm waters reflect Paris's evolution. Boat tours provide a unique river view to observe the city's history, development, and architecture.
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What are Paris boat tours?
Paris boat tours are a relaxing and unique way to explore the capital city of France. While the Eiffel Tower and Louvre, lush parks, cobblestone streets, and delicious cheese give you a glimpse of the Parisian culture and lifestyle, the river perspective of the city encapsulates a truly unparalleled perspective of Paris.
There are a variety of Paris boat tours for you to choose from, ensuring something for everyone — be it a sightseeing cruise, a meal, or a combo cruise. While offered by many companies, Bateaux Parisiens and Bateaux Mouches are typically the best at Paris river cruises. Read ahead to learn more about booking your Paris boat tour.
Why go on a Paris boat tour?
Things to know before booking Paris boat tour tickets
- If you are on a limited budget, consider purchasing a sightseeing Paris boat tour ticket. It usually comes with either a live guide or an audio guide, making for a well-rounded experience at an affordable price.
- If you are willing to go the extra mile, check out lunch or dinner Paris boat tours. You not only get to sightsee but also enjoy delicious and authentic French dishes while you are on the go.
- Choose a Paris boat tour combo ticket to make the most of your day. With this ticket, you get to go on a Seine River cruise coupled with the entry to the Louvre Museum, Eiffel Tower, or Moulin Rouge show.
- Combo tickets, including Moulin Rouge, are unsuitable for young children. Kids under five are not allowed at the cabaret show.
- Only some of the tours are wheelchair-accessible. Make sure to check the specifics of the tickets before booking one.
- While some tickets allow for free cancelation, others do not. Again, be mindful of the cancelation policy and book accordingly.
Types of Paris Boat Tours
Sightseeing Tours
Go on a captivating sightseeing boat tour along the Seine in Paris. Don't forget to spot all the iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Conciergerie, and Palais Bourbon during this hour-long exploration, with a live or an audio-guide on your side.
Lunch Cruises
Indulge in a distinctive Paris boat tour with lunch, enjoying the scenic Seine banks and savoring French delicacies. Some include live music for a delightful ambiance amidst the city's beauty.
Dinner Cruises
Go on an unparalleled dinner boat tour in Paris, savoring exquisite French cuisine and wine. Witness the transformation into the City of Lights, with enchanting views, especially the awe-inspiring Eiffel Tower. It's ideal for romantic getaways in the City of Love.
Combo Boat Tours
Opt for a Combo Paris boat tour for a thrilling experience, combining a Seine River Cruise with entry tickets or guided tours of iconic monuments such as the Louvre, cabaret shows like Moulin Rouge or city tours. Perfect for a well-planned sightseeing day with friends or family.
Hop-On-Hop-Off Cruises
Hop-on-hop-off Seine boat tours offer flexibility, allowing you to explore Paris at your own pace. With 9 stops, you can disembark to visit attractions and rejoin within 24 or 48 hours. Boats feature heating and open-air spaces for panoramic riverside views.
Paris Boat Tour Timings
Learn everything about about the Seine River cruise timings.
Bateaux Mouches
- Departures every 45 mins from 10:15 am to 3:30 pm; every 30 minutes from 3:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Bateaux Parisiens
- April, May and September - Departures every 30 minutes from 10 am to 10:30 pm
No departure at 1 pm and 7:30 pm - June, July and August: Departures every 30 minutes from 10 am to 11 am
- October to March - Departure every hour from 10:30 am to 10:30 pm
Bateaux Mouches
- Every Saturday, Sunday and holidays:
Boarding between 12 pm - 12:15 pm. Departure at 12:30 pm and return to the quay at 2:15 pm.
Bateaux Parisiens
- Monday to Sunday:
Departure at 12:45 pm and return to dock at 2:45 pm
Bateaux Mouches
- Every evening:
Boarding between 8 pm to 8:30 pm. Departure at 8:30 pm. Return to the quay at 10:45 pm.
Bateaux Pariseins
- Operated daily:
Departure at 8.30 pm and return to the dock at 11 pm.
Batobus Ferry Timings
- Monday to Thursday- 10 am to 5 pm
- Friday to Sunday - 10 am to 7 pm
Best time to take a Paris boat tour
Generally, a Paris boat tour is suited to all weather conditions thanks to its closed, air-conditioned boats. But to make the most of your trip to Paris, here's when you should take a Paris Boat Tour:
April to October - These months being the popular season, boat companies have frequent departures and the warm weather makes it pleasant to enjoy the cruise. During windy seasons, you can appreciate the beauty of the river and the cruise experience from your closed boat.
At night - You can watch Paris come to life as the city starts to light up and shimmer like gold around you. Additionally, the first and last departures of the day are usually less crowded and can be a wonderful experience if you're visiting during the high tourist season.
Getting to Paris boat tours departure points
Know everything about getting to Paris Boat Tours departure points.
Departure point: Eiffel Tower, at Port de la Bourdonnais
Getting there:
- By Metro: Métro line 9 - Trocadéro and Métro line 6 - Bir-Hakeim
- By RER: RER C: Champs de Mars - Tour Eiffel station
- By Bus: Buses 82, 42, 87 and 69
Departure point: Pont de l’Alma on the Port de la Conférence
Getting there:
- By Metro: Métro line 9 - Alma-Marceau and Métro line 1 - Franklin Roosevelt
- By RER: RER C: station Pont de l’Alma
- By Bus: Buses 28, 42, 49, 63, 72, 80, 83, 92
What You Can See & Do
Explore Paris' landmarks
As you glide down the seine, you will be able to see some of the most iconic Parisian landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Orsay Museum, Louvre Museum, Notre Dame, Opera House, Conciergerie, and Les Invalides, among others.
Enjoy cabaret shows
As part of your combo tour, you can also watch a cabaret show. Be it Moulin Rouge, Le Lido, or Crazy Horse, each show features vibrant colours, exotic dances, and world-class entertainment.
Take Paris city tours
Pick from a number of different tours along with your Paris boat tour. You can choose from a tour of Paris at night, an audio-guided tour, and even tours of specific landmarks along with a Seine River cruise.
Visitor tips
- Paris boat tours are a highly popular experience in Paris and get sold out quickly. To avoid disappointment, purchase your Paris Boat Tour tickets online and in advance.
- Avoid wearing casual clothing like shorts and flip-flops — it is recommended you go for smart casual wear.
- Not all Paris boat tours are wheelchair-friendly. Note that Bateaux Mouches' Paris boat tours leave from Pont d'Alma provides easy access for those via a slope.
- Children under 12 and students usually get a discount. Please check the ticket page and carry along a valid ID or student ID in case you are availing of a student discount.
- Hotel transfers are usually not included in your tours, so it is advised that you reach the boarding point at least twenty minutes before departure.
Frequently asked questions about Paris boat tours
Paris boat tours are a unique way of exploring the city. You get to absorb the Parisian atmosphere as you sail on the serene waters of the Seine, sipping wine or even relishing French delicacies.
Absolutely. Going on a Paris boat tour gives you a completely different perspective of the City of Lights. Taking a boat tour at night is even more speacial as you get to see the city lit up.
Sightseeing cruises, lunch cruises, dinner cruises, hop-on-hop-off cruises and combo tours are the different options to experience Paris boat tours.
The combo Paris boat tours are the best as they offer you stunning views of the city along with entertainment and/or city tours, making them well worth your while.
A sightseeing tour is perfect for the family as you can go down the Seine and see the best of Paris in an hour.
Couples will love the lunch cruises and dinner cruises as it is quite a romantic experience, usually accompanied by live music to set the mood. They can also opt for a combo Paris boat tour with a cabaret show for a unique and fun experience.
Sightseeing cruises usually take place between 10 am to 10 pm. Lunch cruises take place around noon and dinner cruises usually start at 8 pm. It is advised that you check your tickets for the timings before booking.
A sightseeing Paris boat tour is typically an hour long, while Paris river cruises that include meals can go on for a little over two hours.
On a Paris boat tour you can admire some incredible landmarks of the city like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Les Invalides, Palais Bourbon, the Conciergerie, Orsay Museum and many more.
You can explore famous Paris attractions, enjoy Paris cabaret shows as part of combo tours and also go for Paris city tours as part of a packed sightseeing day.
Cruises by Bateaux Mouches depart from Pont de l’Alma on the Port de la Conférence. The departure point of Bateaux Parisiens and Batobus cruises is Eiffel Tower, at Port de la Bourdonnais.
This depends on the tickets you book. However, most Paris boat tours offer discounts to children under 12 and students upon presentation of a valid ID.
