Bateaux Parisiens Paris: Schedules, Prices, and Where to Get It

Bateaux Parisiens are one of the most iconic experiences for visiting Paris. These are sightseeing cruises on the Seine River that allow you to see the city’s most famous monuments directly from the water.

Founded in 1956, the Bateaux Parisiens company has established itself as one of the leading tour operators in the industry. Every year, millions of visitors choose to sail on its boats to enjoy a unique perspective on the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Musée d’Orsay and many other symbols of the French capital.

The cruises offered are of various types: sightseeing tours with audio guides, cruise with lunch or dinner on board, and even thematic experiences. The boats depart from the Port de la Bourdonnais, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, ensuring a perfect starting point for exploring the city.

Whether by day or evening, boating on the Seine is a must-do experience for those visiting Paris. With modern boats and panoramic windows, the tour offers the perfect combination of relaxation, culture, and architectural beauty.

Bateaux Parisiens: cruise ticket prices

The Bateaux Parisiens offer a variety of ticket options designed to suit every type of visitor. From the classic sightseeing cruise with audio guide to more exclusive experiences with lunch or dinner on board, each ticket allows you to discover Paris from a unique perspective.

Below you can find a table with the main types of cruises available.

Type of cruise	Price	Ticket
Tourist cruise	from 17€	Buy now
Cruise with lunch on board	from 79€	Buy now
Cruise with lunch at Le Bistro Parisien	from 58€	Buy now
Cruise with dinner on board	from 115€	Buy now
Cruise with dinner at Le Bistro Parisien	from 65€	Buy now

Bateaux Parisiens: sightseeing cruise

The Bateaux Parisiens Seine sightseeing cruise offers a scenic experience of about 1 hour, allowing visitors to view the major monuments of Paris from a unique and fascinating perspective. Departures are frequent throughout the year, providing flexibility and convenience for tourists.

Prices: Tickets are €19 for adults and €9 for children ages 4 to 11, making this cruise an affordable option for families and groups. Children under 3 travel free of charge, providing an added benefit for families with young children.

On-board services: Boats are equipped with multilingual audio guides, providing detailed information about the sights and history of Paris. In addition, food and beverage vending machines are available for those who wish to enjoy a snack or drink during the cruise.

Bateaux Parisiens: 3-course lunch on board

The Seine River Cruise with Lunch Boat Tour offered by Bateaux Parisiens is a unique gastronomic and sightseeing experience. During the tour, which starts from the Eiffel Tower and lasts about 2 hours, you can admire the main monuments of Paris while enjoying a delicious three-course lunch.

The menu, which includes vegetarian options, offers fine dishes such as a duo of raw salmon with mustard and lentil salad among the appetizers, and a fillet of sea bream with spiced carrots as the main course. For dessert, you can enjoy a creamy rice pudding with caramelized nuts.

Prices: Tickets for this cruise start at €79 per person, making it an affordable option for those who want a unique dining experience.

On-board services: The boats are equipped with multilingual audio guides, which provide detailed information about the sights and history of Paris. In addition, catering services are available for those who wish to enjoy lunch during the cruise. Online reservation is recommended.

You can find the full lunch menu here.

Bateaux Parisiens: cruise with lunch at Le Bistro Parisien

You can opt for a dockside lunch cruise at Le Bistro Parisien. The cruise departs from the Eiffel Tower, takes about an hour, and allows you to see the main monuments of Paris.

Prices: prices start at €58 per adult and the set menu includes an appetizer, main course, dessert and drink. It is advisable to book online to avoid long waits.

You can find Bistrot Parisien’s menu here.

Bateaux Parisiens dinner: prices and menu

3-Course Dinner and Drink Cruise: Embark at 18:15 for a cruise that will delight you with a three-course dinner accompanied by drinks. During the journey, you will take in Paris’ most iconic monuments along the Seine River. This option is perfect for those who want to start the evening in an elegant and relaxed way. The cost starts from 99€.

4-Course Dinner Cruise with Live Music: Set sail at 20:30 for a 2-hour, 30-minute cruise that includes a four-course dinner accompanied by live music. This experience will allow you to enjoy Parisian sights in a romantic and sophisticated atmosphere. Prices start at 115€.

Both cruises offer an unforgettable experience along the Seine, with the option of booking online to secure your desired seat

You can find the full menu for the 18:15 dinner and the 20:30 dinner.

Bateaux Parisiens: cruise with dinner at Le Bistro Parisien

You can opt for a sightseeing cruise and dinner at Le Bistro Parisien. The cruise departs from the Eiffel Tower, lasts about an hour and allows you to see the main monuments of Paris.

Prices: Prices start at €65 per adult and the set menu includes an appetizer, main course, dessert and drink. It is advisable to book online to avoid long waits.

You can find Bistrot Parisien’s menu here.

Ready to experience a unique moment? Explore all the options on the tickets page and book your personalized experience on the Bateaux-Mouches.

Where to board the Bateaux Parisiens

The Bateaux Parisiens departs from the Port de la Bourdonnais, located at the foot of the Eiffel Tower in the 7th arrondissement of Paris. This is the main embarkation point for all of the company’s cruises, including tourist cruises and those with lunch or dinner on board.

Port de la Bourdonnais embarkation

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The pier is easily accessible by various means of transportation:

By subway:

• Bir-Hakeim (Line 6): Caution: sometimes the station is closed for maintenance work, check the opening before leaving!
• Trocadero (Lines 6 and 9): About a 10-minute walk away.
• Champs de Mars – Tour Eiffel (RER C): A short walk from the pier.

By bus:

• Lines 42, 69, 82, 86 with a stop near the Eiffel Tower.

By car:

• Paid parking is available, but spaces are limited, so it is advisable to arrive by public transportation.

Alternative boarding points

In addition to Port de la Bourdonnais, some cruises also depart from:

• Notre-Dame (Île de la Cité): Used by some special cruises.

Before heading to the pier, always check the departure point listed on your ticket, as it may vary depending on the type of cruise you choose.

Bateaux Parisiens: departure times and duration

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The frequency and schedules of cruises make it easy to plan your trip. In this section you will find everything you need to know.

Tourist cruise schedules

Mealless cruises depart regularly throughout the day.

• April through September: departures every 30 minutes from 10:15 to 22:30
• October through March: hourly departures from 11:00 to 20:30.

Boarding point: Port de la Bourdonnais, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.

Lunch cruise schedules

• Cruise with lunch on board: departure at 12:45, with boarding from 12:00. Return to the pier at 14:30.
• Cruise with lunch at Bistro Parisien: flexible schedule, after the cruise.

Dinner cruise schedule

• Dinner cruise at 18:15: duration 1 hour and 15 minutes, ideal for those seeking a shorter option.
• Dinner cruise at 20:30: duration 2 hours and 30 minutes, with embarkation between 19:00 and 20:15. Return to the pier scheduled for 23:00.
• Cruise with audio guide and dinner at Bistro Parisien: cruise in the evening followed by dinner ashore.

Cruise Duration

• Tourist cruise without meal: about 1 hour.
• Cruise with lunch: about 2 hours.
• Cruise with dinner: from 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes, depending on the formula chosen.

Bateaux Parisiens: cruise itinerary and duration

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Bateaux Parisiens cruises offer an ideal route to view Paris’ most iconic landmarks directly from the Seine. The navigation follows a scenic route, allowing you to see some of the French capital’s most important landmarks.

Cruise route

Cruises depart from the Port de la Bourdonnais, located at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. From here, the boat begins cruising along the Seine, offering a privileged view of a number of monuments and historical sites:

• Eiffel Tower – The symbol of Paris, visible from the moment of embarkation.
• Les Invalides – Historic complex housing the mausoleum of Napoleon Bonaparte.
• Assemblée Nationale – The seat of the French parliament.
• Musée d’Orsay – Former train station converted into an impressionist art museum.
• Institut de France – Seat of the Académie Française.
• Notre-Dame Cathedral – One of the masterpieces of Gothic architecture.
• Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis – The two natural islands of the Seine, the historic heart of Paris.
• Hôtel de Ville – The City Hall of Paris, an example of Renaissance architecture.
• Conciergerie – Former medieval prison where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned.
• Louvre – The largest art museum in the world.
• Place de la Concorde – Famous for its Egyptian obelisk and its history related to the French Revolution.
• Grand Palais – Exhibition center with a stunning glass dome.
• Palais de Chaillot – Building with a spectacular view of the Eiffel Tower.

After passing through the heart of the city, the boat turns around and retraces the same route, offering a new perspective on the monuments.

Bateaux Parisiens reviews: tourists’ opinions

Bateaux Parisiens cruises are among the most popular experiences for visitors to Paris, thanks to the quality of service, the beauty of the route, and the variety of offerings available. Tourists’ reviews highlight several positive aspects, but also some critical points that are useful to know before booking.

What do visitors like best?

Spectacular views of the monuments of Paris

The boats’ strategic location and large panoramic windows allow you to admire the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame, and many other iconic sites directly from the Seine. Many tourists describe the cruise as a relaxing and romantic experience, ideal both during the day and at night when the city is illuminated.

Fine dining experience

Lunch or dinner cruises often receive positive reviews for the quality of food and service. Guests especially appreciate the care taken in the presentation of dishes and the opportunity to enjoy a typical French meal overlooking the Seine River. Evening dining is especially popular for the elegant atmosphere and breathtaking view of illuminated Paris

Organization and punctuality

Cruises are described as well organized and punctual, with easy boarding and friendly staff. Many visitors point to the convenience of the departure point, located at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, which makes it easy to combine the cruise with other sightseeing.

Aspects that could be improved according to tourists

Crowding during peak hours

During peak season and on weekends, some reviews report that boats can be quite crowded, especially on tourist cruises without a meal. To enjoy a quieter experience, many recommend opting for lunch or dinner cruises, which have assigned seats and a more exclusive setting.

Audioguide improvable

Some travelers feel that the audio guide available on board could be more detailed and engaging. Also, in order to better appreciate the historical explanations, some recommend carrying earphones, to listen comfortably without background noise.

Waiting times for boarding

In some cases, especially during busy periods, visitors report somewhat long waits for boarding. To reduce waiting times, it is advisable to arrive a little early and book tickets online.

Bateaux Parisiens: fleet and type of bateau

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Bateaux Parisiens has a modern and diverse fleet consisting of scenic boats for sightseeing cruises and restaurant boats for gastronomic experiences on the Seine. Each ship is designed to offer maximum comfort and exceptional views of Paris monuments.

Bateaux Promenade: the tourist boats

Sightseeing cruises are taken on eight scenic boats, each dedicated to a celebrity in French cinema or culture. The names of the boats are:

• Jean Marais
• Juliette Gréco
• Brigitte Bardot
• Jeanne Moreau
• Isabelle Adjani
• Catherine Deneuve
• Yves Montand
• Pierre Bellon

These boats have large windows, a covered lower deck and an open-air upper deck, perfect for viewing the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame and the other monuments along the Seine. A multilingual audio guide is available on board, providing explanations of the history of Paris and its main attractions.

Bateaux Restaurant: the boats for lunch and dinner on the Seine

For those who wish to combine the discovery of Paris with a gastronomic experience, Bateaux Parisiens offers lunch or dinner cruises aboard five restaurant boats:

• Diamant II
• Cristal II
• Saphir
• Onyx
• Bretagne

These boats are designed to offer an elegant and refined atmosphere, with tables positioned to provide panoramic views of the city. The menu offered is curated by professional chefs, featuring French cuisine prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Fleet features

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Bateaux Parisiens offer a comfortable and atmospheric sailing experience thanks to a modern and well-equipped fleet. All boats are equipped with large panoramic windows, allowing unobstructed views of the sights of Paris, regardless of seating position.

The tour boats have spacious decks, with a covered lower level and an open-air upper deck, ideal for those who want to enjoy the view without visual barriers. To make the tour even more interesting, a multilingual audio system is available, providing detailed explanations of the places passed through along the way.

The restaurant boats, on the other hand, are designed to provide an elegant and refined atmosphere. Careful decor, soft lighting, and table arrangements ensure a pleasant dining experience as the boat glides along the Seine. The menu, created by professional chefs, features French cuisine prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Origins and history of Bateaux Parisiens

The Bateaux Parisiens were born in 1956 with the aim of offering an exclusive experience to tourists wishing to discover Paris from the Seine. From the very beginning, these cruises stand out for their ability to combine the pleasure of sailing with the unique beauty of the French capital, giving spectacular views of some of its most iconic monuments.

The acquisition by Sodexo and the growth of the company

In 1987, the Sodexo Group, a multinational company specializing in catering and leisure services, acquired Bateaux Parisiens. Thanks to this investment, the company began a major phase of modernization and growth, focusing on a more structured service, a diversified offer, and an increase in the quality of on-board experiences.

One of the most significant steps is the expansion of the fleet, which is enriched with boats with panoramic windows, perfect for observing Parisian monuments, and boats dedicated to catering, which allow the pleasure of a fine meal to be combined with an atmospheric trip on the Seine.

Innovation and new boats

In 2011, the company introduced the Pierre Bellon, aninnovative and technologically advanced vessel capable of accommodating up to 600 passengers. This trimaran, designed to offer maximum visibility thanks to a modern and functional structure, quickly became one of the most popular boats among tourists. The lower deck allows free movement, while the upper deck provides an open-air viewing area.

In the following years, Bateaux Parisiens continues to expand and innovate. In 2017, it reached a new milestone, carrying 3.4 million passengers in a single year, confirming it as one of the leading tourist cruise companies in Paris.

To enrich the offer and attract new visitors, the company is introducing thematic experiences in 2019, such as the Halloween escape game for children, an activity that combines the pleasure of sailing with the fun of an interactive game on board.

Bateaux-Parisiens: frequently asked questions

Conclusions

The Bateaux Parisiens are one of the best options for viewing Paris from the Seine, offering scenic cruises and exclusive dining experiences.

With a modern fleet, strategic location, and a variety of available tickets, the cruises suit every type of visitor, from tourists who want a simple tour to travelers seeking a more refined experience.

Despite crowding during peak season and some waiting time for boarding, the quality of service and the charm of the itinerary make this a must-do experience for those visiting the French capital.

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