Paris offers a variety of ways to see the city, including walking, driving, biking, or viewing it from a two-tier bus – but for me, seeing Paris by water is especially magical. Here are 3 ideas to see Paris from the Seine River.
1. Batobus Hop-on, Hop-off Sightseeing Cruise
If you like the idea of seeing Paris on a hop-on, hop-off bus, why not try the same concept in cruise form? You can purchase tickets that are valid for 1-day, 2-consecutive-days, or 1 year (validation day starts on January 1, not the date you purchase it). Children under age 5 board free with a paying adult. Purchase tickets at any of the stops or on the internet and hop on.
The stations in order are:
- Eiffel Tower
- Musee D’Orsay
- St. Germain des Pres
- Notre Dame
- Jardin des Plantes / Cite de la Mode et du Design
- Hotel de Ville
- Louvre
- Champs-Elysees
- Beaugrenelle
If you’re travelling to Paris during winter, have no fear, they have heated boats. Check their website (www.batobus.com) for group offers. One special offer that caught my eye is a Treasure Hunt (available only in French) for children aged 7-12 (16 euros). Sounds like fun!
Here are the details on their passes:
One day pass
Adult: 16 euros
Child (3-15 years): 7 euros
Child (under 3 years): Free with paying adult
Two consecutive days pass
Adult: 19 euros
Child (3-15 years): 10 euros
Child (under 3 years): Free with paying adult
Annual pass (validation date starts on January 1, not the date you purchase it)
Adult: 60 euros
Child (3-15 years): 38 euros
Child (under 3 years): Free with paying adult
Note: Some prices will increase on March 21, 2016. No telephone number is offered.
They are open every day from 10:00 A.M. – 9:30 P.M., though Station Beaugrenelle closes at 8:45 P.M. Click here for a list of free public toilets in Paris, since there are no restrooms on-board or at their stations. After clicking on the link, you’ll see a map with quite a few public sanisettes, and to the left will be a list of the restrooms in French. If you click on a star to the right of a restroom location on the list, its address will be given.
If you go to their website, under the “Practical Information” tab, they offer this updated list of “Free Public Toilets of the city of Paris.” I will save this link for future trips to Paris!
2. Seine Cruise
Rather than hopping on and off, take an uninterrupted cruise to see the sights of Paris.
Bateaux-Mouches (“Boats fly”)
According to the company’s website www.bateaux-mouches.fr, Jean Bruel started the company in 1949 so the French people could relax and enjoy themselves again after WWII. His 400-ton boats of wood and glass were a technological marvel of the time, and they continue to inspire awe with the views of Paris they offer.
Boarding and landing take place at the Port de la Conference, Pont de l’Alma, on the Rive Droite (Right Bank), in the 8th arrondissement.
RER: Pont de l’Alma
Here are the details of their 1-hour, 10-minute cruise:
Adult: 13.50 euros
Child (under 12 years): 6.00 euros
Child (under 4 years): Free with paying adult
School child: From 4.20 euros
Groups of 20+: Contact company by clicking here.
To see a map of their cruise route, click here.
Telephone: 01 42 25 96 10
Bateaux Parisiens (“Boats of Parisiens”)
Board at Jetty 3, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. For a map to get to the jetty click here (Google translation). Boarding times vary by season, so check their website by clicking here.
Metro: Bir-Hakeim or Trocadero, or
RER: Champs de Mars
Note: Due to security precautions, you will be searched before boarding, and large luggage over 16 liters (approx. 35 lbs.) will not be allowed on board. Small backpacks, handbags, and computer bags are allowed.
Details of their 1-hour cruise:
Adult: 14 euros
Child (under 12 years): 6 euros
Child (under 3 years): Free with paying adult
To see a map of their cruise route, click here.
Telephone: 01 76 64 14 45
Vedettes du Pont Neuf (“Pont Neuf Cruisers”)
Board at Pont Neuf, near the Louvre. Boarding times vary by season so check their website by clicking here. At the bottom of the linked page you can download a .pdf file with the circuit and comments about each monument.
Metro: Pont Neuf
Details of their 1-hour cruise:
Adult: 14 euros
Child (4-12 years) 5 euros
Child (under 4 years) Free with paying adult
Click here for off-season specials via internet booking.
Cruise circuit:
- Louvre
- Place de la Concorde
- Eiffel Tower
- Musee d’Orsay
- Notre Dame
- Hotel de Ville
Telephone: 01 46 33 98 38
3. Dinner Cruise
Nothing beats viewing Paris lit up at night eating French cuisine on a boat cruising the Seine River. My dinner cruise was one of my most memorable experiences of my last trip to Paris. Don’t worry about getting cold: all of the boats are heated. Proper dress is required for a dinner cruise in Paris.
Bateaux-Mouches (“Boats Fly”)
Board at the Pont de l’Alma in the 8th arrondissement from 7:30 P.M. – 8:15 P.M.
RER: Pont de l’Alma
Departure: 8:30 P.M.
Return: 10:45 P.M.
Select from 2 fixed menus (view current menu selections by clicking here):
99 euros per person (215 euros with show) or
155 euros per person (263 euros with show).
No child prices for dinner cruise.
To see a map of their cruise route, click here.
Telephone: 01 42 25 96 10
Bateaux Parisiens (“Boats of Parisians”)
Board at Jetty 3, Port de la Bourdonnais, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. As it is currently the coldest of the off-season, their dinner cruise ranges from 69 euros – 99 euros (a Valentine’s Day dinner cruise [3 hours 30 minutes] is available on February 13 or 14 that ranges from 150 euros – 215 euros.) Price depends on departure time, seating, and menu option. Some dinner cruises offer live music.
Boarding times vary by season so check their website by clicking here.
Metro: Bir-Hakeim or Trocadero, or
RER: Champs de Mars
Telephone: 01 76 64 14 45
To see a map of the cruise route, click here.
Le Capitaine Fracasse (“The Captain Smashes”)
Chef Martial Enguehard heads the kitchen, and he has been awarded the title of “Meiller Ouvier de France” (“One of the Best Craftsmen of France”), a title he will hold for life. I did not know about this when I selected Le Capitaine Fracasse for my dinner cruise; rather, it was listed as the budget option in my guidebook. I knew I was in for quite a treat, however, when the waiters started to bring out the dishes: they looked like they tasted of perfection — and they did.
My three-course meal included a tray of three appetizers, an entree of fish with potatoes in light sauce, a tray of three desserts (a pastry puff was particularly delicious), and wine and Espresso. My ship floated along the Seine as I ate, and I floated with it. The sites lit up at night were just as beautiful as I knew they would be.
Two cautions: Get to the slip early to make sure you can find it (I only did with the help of a French couple who saw my distress, map in hand) and secure a good seat — the line will likely get incredibly long — and remember that there is always the possibility that a large group might book the same night of your romantic dinner cruise. If you don’t like your table and there are tables available, don’t hesitate to ask to be seated elsewhere. I did, and it was no problem.
Le Capitaine Fracasse 2-hour Dinner Cruise on the Seine River
Board: Pont de Bir-Hakeim, 75015 Paris, France, near the Eiffel Tower. Boarding times vary by season. Check the website by clicking here or call ahead. It is best to reserve online and get in line early. Your boarding time will be on your reservation printout.
Metro: Bir-Hakeim, or
RER: Champs de Mars-Tour Eiffel
Cost: 65 euros, “Smashes” Menu: Meal without drinks
75 euros, “Admiral” Menu: Meal with wine
85 euros, “Champagne” Menu: Meal with Champagne
The menu offers a selection of entrees in addition to the other two courses.
There is a “Petit Matelot” ticket (40 euros) available for children under 10 years old.
Telephone: 01 46 21 48 15
Website: www.lecapitainefracasse.com/en/
Le Capitaine Fracasse offers Smartphone apps to serve as your route map with detailed descriptions of the monuments as you pass by them. Click here to see the list of apps. (At the time of this posting, the app page does not translate to English. I have notified the company.)
Au revoir!
Image of water boat on the Seine River at sunset by Genji Arakaki, Flickr, CCBY 2.0.
To me, seeing Paris by water – which is to say, by the Seine River – is especially magical. I can’t account for this except to say that I’ve always been drawn to water, whether it be the ocean, a waterfall, or even a pool to swim in.
