Top Paris Cruise Tours
Gliding along the River Seine offers a calm, linear tour of Paris that ties together its headline sights and quieter riverbanks. From the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame and the Louvre, a cruise delivers wide open views, steady commentary, and easy photo angles without the hassle of crossing busy streets. It is a practical way to see how the Left Bank and Right Bank meet the river, while taking in bridges, quays, and classic Paris skylines.
How City River Cruise Tours in Paris Work
Paris sightseeing cruises are built around the River Seine, which curves through the centre of the city and under a chain of historic bridges. Most one hour tours run year round in daylight and into the evening, with boats departing at frequent intervals from central quays near the Eiffel Tower, Pont de lAlma, Pont Neuf, and near the Louvre. Boats typically feature open upper decks and enclosed panoramic salons, so you can choose fresh air views or shelter if the weather turns. Recorded commentary is common, outlining the history of islands such as the Ile de la Cite and pointing out the layers of architecture that line the water, from medieval stone to Haussmann boulevards and modern ministries.
Longer itineraries may include dining on board, while simple sightseeing loops keep to the classic segment between the Eiffel Tower and the eastern end of the historic centre. Hop on hop off style craft on the Seine operate to a published circuit, allowing you to ride between piers close to big attractions and continue on a later boat. Typical boarding areas connect easily to Metro and RER stations, and queues are usually managed with timed entries in busier months. In summer there are more evening sailings to match late sunsets, while winter departures focus on daytime hours and early night cruises to see the city lights.
Top Stops and Attractions
- Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars – Classic departure area with long, open views of the tower and Trocadero across the river.
- Ile de la Cite and Notre Dame – The historic heart of Paris; cruises pass the island embankments and give a clear angle on the cathedral and Pont Neuf.
- Louvre riverside facades – See the palace lengthwise from the water, with steady perspective on the courtyards and the Arc du Carrousel line.
- Musee dOrsay – The former railway station appears as a grand stone frontage on the Left Bank, easily photographed from deck level.
- Pont Alexandre III – A showpiece bridge between Invalides and the Grand Palais area, known for ornate lamps and monumental statues.
Why River Cruises in Paris Are Worth Taking
The Seine gives you the city in sequence. From west to east you track a continuous corridor of bridges, quays, and civic buildings, with no street furniture in the way and no need to keep pace with traffic lights. This unbroken line makes the contrasts clearer: iron and glass at the Eiffel Tower; stone bulk at the Louvre; the compact island form of the Ile de la Cite; and the sweep of grand avenues at Invalides. The river also shows how the Left Bank and Right Bank differ in height and frontage, and how the bridges change character from the broad span of Pont dIena to the arches of Pont Neuf and the decoration on Pont Alexandre III. At dusk, reflections double the scene, and the steady motion of the boat gives you enough time to frame landmarks with context rather than quick snapshots from pavements.
Planning Tips for Visitors
- Timing: Mornings are often quieter outside peak holidays; dusk sailings trade a little crowding for excellent light and the option to see monuments illuminated after dark.
- Tickets: Standard one hour cruises are the value baseline; upgrades add a glass of wine, lunch, dinner, or reserved window seating. Combo passes that pair a cruise with the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre can save time on separate queues.
- Photos and pairing: Keep the camera ready when approaching Pont Neuf, Pont Alexandre III, the Musee dOrsay frontage, and the long facade of the Louvre. It is easy to pair a cruise with visits to Trocadero, Invalides, or a stroll along the Left Bank bookstalls.
- Practicalities: Many piers are step free or have ramped access, but gradients vary with river level, so check details on the day. Nearby Metro stops include Bir Hakeim, Alma Marceau, Louvre Rivoli, and Saint Michel Notre Dame for simple transfers.
The city river or boat tours in Paris provide a relaxing way to see its most famous landmarks from a fresh perspective — ideal for travellers who want to enjoy both comfort and authentic local views along the water.
Compare Paris Boat Tours & Seine River Cruises Price
| Eiffel Tower: Summit Option plus Seine River Cruise and City Tour | €100.61 |
| Paris Seine River Gourmet Dinner Cruise with Champagne | €113.83 |
| City Tour and Seine River Cruise | €39.64 |
| Paris Seine River Lunch Cruise by Bateaux Mouches | €80 |
| Seine River Cruise and Paris Canals Tour | €22.36 |
| Paris Seine River Champagne Tasting Cruise | €69 |
| Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise | €124.7 |
| Seine River Sightseeing Cruise and Lunch at Le Bistro Parisien | €62.3 |
| Paris Seine River Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Cruise | €23 |
| Dinner on the Seine with champagne all inclusive | €287.95 |
1. Eiffel Tower: Summit Option plus Seine River Cruise and City Tour
Duration:
4 hours
- A magical sightseeing tour of Paris by night.
- Enjoy a coach tour and a boat tour with audio commentary.
- Also take in the views from the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower.
Compare Ticket Prices:
2. Paris Seine River Gourmet Dinner Cruise with Champagne
Duration:
1 hour 30
- A 3 course dinner on the refined Marina de Paris river boat.
- See Paris lit up at night as you cruise down the Seine enjoying your meal.
- An unforgettable way to spend an evening in Paris.
Compare Ticket Prices:
3. City Tour and Seine River Cruise
Duration:
2 hours 30
- A great value 2-in-1 combo sightseeing tour on the road and on the water.
- A 2 hour sightseeing bus tour around Paris.
- Plus, a 1 hour sightseeing cruise on the River Seine.
Compare Ticket Prices:
4. Paris Seine River Lunch Cruise by Bateaux Mouches
Duration:
2 hours 15
- An enjoyable family-friendly lunch and sightseeing cruise.
- A 2 hour cruise on the River Seine passing by some of the most famous Paris monuments.
- A 3 course a la carte lunch with French cuisine is served.
Compare Ticket Prices:
5. Seine River Cruise and Paris Canals Tour
Duration:
2 hours 30
- A 2.5 hour river and canal cruise with local guide.
- A unique view of Paris taking in both iconic grand and quaint neighbourhoods.
- Travel on the River Seine and the Canal Saint Martin.
Compare Ticket Prices:
6. Paris Seine River Champagne Tasting Cruise
Duration:
1 hour
- An opportunity to enjoy a laid-back sightseeing tour of Central Paris.
- A romantic cruise on the French waterways.
Compare Ticket Prices:
7. Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise
Duration:
2 hours 30
- One of the most romantic activities in Paris.
- A pleasant cruise on the Seine with delicious dinner.
- A chance to explore beautifully-illuminated riverbanks and bridges.
Compare Ticket Prices:
8. Seine River Sightseeing Cruise and Lunch at Le Bistro Parisien
Duration:
2 hours 30
- A 1 hour sightseeing cruise with a bistro lunch on the quay.
- A luxury afternoon spent on and by the river Seine
- An opportunity to see the sights of Paris from the river.
Compare Ticket Prices:
9. Paris Seine River Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Cruise
Duration:
2 hours
- A 1 day pass for the River Seine hop-on-hop-off shuttle boat.
- 8 stops in Paris where you can hop on or hop off.
- Boats depart every 20-25 minutes.
10. Dinner on the Seine with champagne all inclusive
Duration:
4 to 5 hou
- Your private driver picks you up at the address of your choice, (Paris or surrounding suburbs) and takes you to your boat.
Dinner cruise on the Seine, placement bay window. duration of the cruise, 2H30.
Dinner all inclusive -
Tasting menu, 2 starters, 2 courses, 2 desserts to choose from the menu.
(vegetarian,... read more
Compare Ticket Prices:
11. Seine Dinner Cruise and Eiffel Tower Summit Private Tour
Duration:
4 hours
- Relish a splendid evening through a delicately crafted dinner along the magical Seine while passing some of the most remarkable landmarks and indulge the evening stars of the Parisian skyline as you are guided towards the Summit of the famous Eiffel Tower. As you make your way up with the elevator, your local guide will illustrate all the hidden... read more
12. Paris at the First Lodges - Ducasse sur Seine dinner cruise
Duration:
2 hours
- Let yourself be guided over dinner aboard the first 100% electric boat on the Seine. Your table will allow you to enjoy the most beautiful view of the monuments of Paris. A pleasant and silent journey to rediscover the capital, falsely asleep at night, and finish at the foot of the illuminated Eiffel Tower. At the table, the story unfolds like a... read more
13. Paris Illuminations Night Cruise Seine
Duration:
2 hours 30
- It’s no wonder they call it the City of Lights — Paris is especially enchanting in the evening. On this illuminations tour, admire top Paris attractions from two perspectives, starting with a lamp-lit cruise along the Seine past the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. Then take a nighttime city tour to see the Champs-Elysées, l’Arc de Triomphe,... read more
Compare Ticket Prices:
14. Paris Seine River Sightseeing and Gourmet Dinner Cruise with 3 Course Menu
Duration:
90 to 120
- Enjoy a cruise along the River Seine in Paris while having dinner aboard our boats branded Parisseine - La Marina glass-enclosed. Take in the stunning sights during a sophisticated gourmet meal including coffee or tea. Cruise past notorious monuments and magnificent bridges. Capture the sparkling Eiffel Tower and the beauty of magical Paris from... read more
