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Vedettes de Paris provides smaller, more intimate boat tours on the Seine. They are a top-rated company for their personal service, smaller groups, and ability to dock closer to sights. Vedettes de Paris also offers themed cruises like Paris historians and jazz cruises. Most boats have open-air upper decks and some have interior lounge areas. A Seine River dinner cruise usually lasts from 1hr 15 min to 3 hours, and it comes with or without music. Most of these River Seine cruises with dinner offer different menus with vegetarian and vegan dishes, and this is something that you need to specify during the booking process.
Riverboat cruising
The size of the ship determines its precise destination when leaving from Paris. Although all river cruise ships head for Honfleur, some river cruise ships are too large to enter the harbour there and must dock on the Seine itself, opposite the port of Le Havre. It’s important to get in touch with our partners in the UK and the US to discover the differences between each cruise line, and which accommodations will suit you best. And there are always great bargains for early booking and last-minute cruises. Many cruise companies offer discounted multi-ride packages like a 1-day Big Bus pass with a 1-hour Vedettes du Pont Neuf cruise, making it easy to tour around different Paris neighborhoods.
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Checking different company offerings for duration and scheduling will ensure the best Seine cruise fit. At the longer end, some full-day and multi-hour cruises are available for those really wanting an immersive experience. These may include multiple stops or activities like museum visits in addition to the Seine sightseeing. These allow more relaxed dining and take in wider views between the Paris landmarks, heading both downstream and back upstream.
Experience an unforgettable moment
Tickets can be purchased online, by phone, or at the ticket offices near the boats. If you depart from near Notre Dame then there is live commentary provided by a live guide in 3 languages (including French and English). If you depart from near the Eiffel Tower, narration is provided through individual audio devices available in 14 languages on the lower part of the boat. This is the oldest company operating cruise boats on the Seine River, starting service after World War II, and these boats have become somewhat of a symbol of Paris. Bateaux Mouches has some of the biggest boats which are easy to spot because they are big, double-decker open-top boats with orange seats.
Meal options range from buffets to set menus paired with quality French wines. A Seine River Cruise in Paris is one of the best ways to explore and see the city’s highlights in a relaxing and fun way. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions for travelers in Paris with more than 4 million people taking cruises each year. First of all, the boats are imagined like a theatre where the Seine River is the main stage. All the seats are arranged in front of the view to admire the Seine River and all the monuments illuminated along the way. The passengers are comfortably seated in large club chairs, and they dine side by side on tables specially designed to enjoy both the view and the meal.
Private Seine River Tours
Some small boats pause cruises in winter months or harsh weather. Yes, it’s strongly recommend to book tickets in advance online for your preferred date/time. This allows you to cruise along the Seine at a comfortable pace while seeing top attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Louvre Museum, and ornate bridges from unique vantage points. Cruises of this length will have running commentary to point out photo spots and give history.
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Current prices (as of June 2023) are 18 euros for adults, 9 euros for children age 4-13, and children under age 4 are free. If you sit on the upper part of the boat, the boat has recently started asking customers to download a free audioguide app on their smartphones rather than giving out individual audio devices. The app commentary is available in multiple languages, but you will need a smartphone and set of headphones or earbuds to listen.
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» Seine cruises might be canceled if the water level is too high or too low to operate. In this case, you will be given a couple of options, including a full refund. » On a Seine night cruise with dinner, it is worth paying a little extra to be seated by the window and enjoy a better view. Tickets for sightseeing cruises do not have a seat assigned, so try to arrive well in advance to find a good seat to admire the Seine River.
Other cruises on the Seine
The Vedettes de Paris are elegant and smaller boats that transport fewer people. During the 1-hour Seine River tour, learn about the history of Paris and the sights along the cruise with audio commentary. The Bateaux Parisiens propose similar boat tours to the Bâteaux Mouches. The fleet consists of fully glazed boats for an amazing panoramic view, and they can transport up to 250 passengers. Visitors can also stay outdoors on the deck, but space is limited.
First, most Seine cruises last about an hour in duration and stop and end at the same point unless otherwise noted. They also all complete approximately the same circuit although you can check for the exact map for each by going to the companies’ websites. Most companies operate sightseeing river cruises in Paris year-round. As the second-longest river in France, the Seine River extends over 777 kilometers and is one of the most iconic sights of Paris as well as a worldwide tourist attraction. It is the Seine that divides the city into two parts, the Left Bank of the Seine is called “La Rive Gauche” in French, which is seen as more cultural and romantic. While the Right Bank is called “La Rive Droite”, and has a more modern and commercial feel.
Pre-recorded narration is provided in several languages, including English, over the boat speaker system. Arriving in the impossibly pretty coastal town of Honfleur, you’ll immediately see why it provided much of the inspiration for Monet’s paintings and is celebrated as Eric Satie‘s birthplace. Tall, colourful houses line the harbour, while narrow streets wind their way through the ancient town. Honfleur is also a great base for day trips along the Normandy coast, including the glamorous seaside resort of Deauville and the stunning cliffs of Étretat. Leaving the scenic delights of Paris behind, you’ll soon find that Normandy is just as charming.
A small riverboat cruise offers a quaint, intimate feel that gets you closer to landmarks compared to packed tourist buses or boats. With fewer passengers and open decks, you have space to Admire views and snap great photos as you gently float by each attraction. In general, this Seine River dinner cruise gets good reviews for its food, drinks, and kind staff.
