River cruises on the Seine offer a unique experience to discover Paris from the river, allowing you to admire the city’s most iconic monuments in a relaxing and atmospheric atmosphere. With a variety of options available, from classic tours to romantic dinners, there is a cruise to suit every type of traveler.
In this article, we will explore the schedules, duration, and routes of major Seine cruises, including tours offered by Bateaux Mouches, Bateaux Parisiens, Vedettes de Paris, Paris Canal, and Le Diamant Bleu. We will also discover lunch and dinner cruise options for an unforgettable dining experience.
Before we begin, it is important to remember that booking tickets online is strongly recommended to guarantee you access at your desired time and to avoid long lines at the ticket office. Now, let’s find out together all the information you need to plan your cruise on the Seine!
Seine Cruise Tickets
Book your seat on board now and experience Paris from a unique perspective! Tickets sell out easily, especially in the evening.
You can cancel up to 24 hours before your visit
Bateaux Mouches: schedule, duration and routes
ID 46723551 | Bateaux Mouches © Eugenesergeev | Dreamstime.com
Your Bateaux Mouches tours offer a unique experience to discover Paris from the Seine River. With a variety of cruises available, from classic tours to romantic dinners, you can see the city’s most iconic monuments in a relaxing and atmospheric atmosphere.
Cruise schedules
Cruise “Promenade”
- High season (April – September): Departures every 30 minutes from 10:00 to 22:30.
- Low season (October – March):
- Monday to Friday: Departures every 45 minutes from 10:15 to 16:00 and every 30 minutes from 16:00 to 22:00.
- Weekends and holidays: Departures every 30 minutes from 10:00 to 22:00.
Cruise restaurant
- Lunch Cruise: Available every Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Boarding between 12:00 and 12:15, departing at 12:30 and returning to the pier at 14:15.
- Dinner Cruise: Available every evening. Boarding between 20:00 and 20:30, departing at 20:30 and returning to the pier at 22:45.
Duration of cruises
- Classic cruise: Approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes.
- Cruise with lunch: Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
- Cruise with dinner: Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Cruise routes
Cruises depart from the Pont de l’Alma and travel up the Seine toward Notre Dame de Paris, passing iconic monuments such as the Louvre, the Hôtel de Ville, and the Conciergerie. The turnaround takes place near the Arab World Institute. The cruise then continues past the Musée d’Orsay and the Assemblée Nationale in the direction of the Eiffel Tower. The route may vary depending on the height of the Seine level.
Remember to check the time when you purchase your ticket.
Bateaux Parisiens: schedule, duration and routes
ID 103364248 © Mickem | Dreamstime.com
Bateaux Parisiens cruises offer a unique experience to discover Paris from a different perspective. Cruising along the Seine River, you can admire the city’s most iconic monuments while enjoying a magical atmosphere both during the day and at night. Cruises are available in several options, including guided cruises, lunch cruises, and dinner cruises, all designed to offer you an unforgettable experience.
Cruise schedules
January 6, 2025 to February 14, 2025:
- Monday-Thursday: Departures approximately every 45 minutes from 10:30 to 21:20 (up to 22:00 in case of heavy turnout).
- Friday: Departures every 30-45 minutes from 10:30 to 22:00 (until 22:30 in case of heavy turnout).
- Saturday: Departures every 30 minutes approximately from 10:30 to 22:00 (until 22:30 in case of a rush).
- Sunday: Departures every 30-45 minutes from 10:30 to 21:20 (until 22:00 in case of heavy turnout).
Winter Holidays (February 15, 2025 – April 3, 2025):
- Daily: Departures every 30-45 minutes from 10:00 to 22:00 (until 22:30 in case of high attendance).
The Restaurant Cruise is available daily; however, I recommend checking carefully while booking your ticket.
Duration of cruises
- Walk cruise: Approximately 1 hour
- Cruise with lunch: Approximately 2 hours.
- Cruise with dinner (18:15): Approx. 1 hour.
- Cruise with dinner (20:30): About 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Cruise routes
Orange Route (Cruise Walks & Dinner Cruises 18:15): The route begins at the Eiffel Tower (Port de la Bourdonnais) and follows the Seine, touching on various points of interest such as the Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde, Musée d’Orsay, Louvre, Notre-Dame, and others, before returning to the Eiffel Tower.
Black Route (Lunch Cruise 12:45, Dinner Cruise 20:30): This route is a bit longer and continues past Île Saint-Louis to the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, then returns to the Eiffel Tower after a ride around Île aux Cygnes.
Remember to check the time when you purchase your ticket.
More Seine River cruises: schedule, duration and routes
Canal Paris tour schedule, duration and routes
Discover Paris in a unique and fascinating way with Paris Canal cruises. These tours allow you to admire both the majesty of the monuments along the Seine and the charm of the Canal Saint-Martin.
Cruise schedules
Cruises are available daily by reservation:
- 10:00: Departure from the Musée d’Orsay – Arrival at the Parc de la Villette
- 14:30: Departure from the Parc de la Villette – Arrival at the Musée d’Orsay
- 15:00: Departure from the Musée d’Orsay – Arrival at the Parc de la Villette
Duration of the cruises
Each cruise has a duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes, during which you can have an unforgettable experience going through locks, moving bridges and an impressive underground passage.
Cruise route
The route of the cruises varies depending on the starting point:
- From the Musée d’Orsay to the Parc de la Villette: The cruise begins on the Seine, passing the Tuileries Gardens, the Louvre Museum, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Next, you will cross the Arsenal Marina and the famous underground passage of the Bastille, then enter the Canal Saint-Martin and arrive at the Parc de la Villette.
- From the Parc de la Villette to the Musée d’Orsay: Starting from the Parc de la Villette, you will cross the Bassin de la Villette and numerous locks and movable bridges, passing under the Bastille Square and finally arriving on the Seine, where you can admire the main monuments of Paris to the Musée d’Orsay.
Remember to check the time when you buy your ticket.
Schedule, duration and routes of the Vedettes de Paris tour
Vedettes de Paris cruises offer a unique experience to discover the beauty of the city from a different perspective. Cruising along the Seine River, you can admire some of Paris’ most iconic monuments.
Cruise schedules
Cruises are available daily with departures from 11:30 am (or 10:45, depending on the season) until 18:30 (or until 17:45, depending on the season). Departures occur with a frequency of 45 minutes or 1 hour
Duration of cruises
The duration of the cruise is 1 hour.
Cruise route
The cruise route will take you to see some of Paris’ most famous monuments, including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and many others. Cruises depart from Port de Suffren, located at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, and sail along the Seine River, offering spectacular views of the city.
Remember to check the schedule when you purchase your ticket.
Diamant Bleu tour schedule, duration and routes
Discover Paris in a unique and unforgettable way with restaurant cruises offered by Le Diamant Bleu. Whether you choose a gourmet dinner cruise or an Italian trattoria dinner, each experience is designed to offer you breathtaking views and unforgettable moments on the Seine.
Cruise Schedules
Cruises are available daily. Departures vary by season:
- Gourmet Dinner Cruise: Embarkation begins at 19:45, departing at 20:30 and returning at 23:15. The evening ends at midnight.
- Italian Trattoria Cruise: departures at 18:00 (embarkation from 17:30 and return at 20:00) and 21:30 (embarkation from 21:00 and return at 22:30)
Duration of Cruises
- Gourmet Dinner Cruise: the cruise lasts about 2 hours and 50 minutes, with the option to stay on board until midnight.
- Italian Trattoria Cruise: the duration is about 2 hours.
Route of the Cruises
During the cruise, you can see some of Paris’ most famous monuments, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum.
Remember to check the time when you buy your ticket.
Time, duration and routes of the lunch tour with Paris City Vision
Discover Paris in a unique and fascinating way with a lunch tour along the Seine River offered by Paris City Vision. Enjoy a delicious meal aboard a boat-restaurant while admiring the city’s iconic monuments.
Cruise Schedules
Lunch cruises depart daily with embarkation at 12:15 and departure at 12:30. The cruise ends with return to the pier at 14:00.
Duration of the cruises
The total duration of the cruise is 1 hour and 30 minutes, during which you can relax and enjoy the panoramic view of Paris.
Cruise route
The cruise route allows you to admire some of Paris’ most famous monuments. Starting at Quai Anatole France, Port Solferino, near the Musée d’Orsay, you will cruise along the Seine passing under historic bridges such as Pont Alexandre III and Pont des Arts. You will see Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Conciergerie, the Musée d’Orsay, the Louvre, the Grand Palais, and the Palais Bourbon.
Remember to check the time when you buy your ticket.
Seine River Cruise Tickets
Reserve your seat on board now and experience Paris from a unique perspective! Tickets sell out easily, especially in the evening.
You can cancel up to 24 hours before your visit
What is the best time for the cruise?
Having personally tried several cruises, I can tell you that the best time to do it is at sunset. At this time of day, the lights of Paris begin to shine, creating a truly magical and romantic atmosphere. Then when it gets dark, the lights are reflected on the river water, creating a breathtaking sight!
In addition, evening cruises often offer live music and dinner on board, making the experience even more special and unforgettable. If you want to experience a unique and evocative moment, I highly recommend choosing sunset for your Seine River cruise.
Seine cruise schedules: frequently asked questions
Cruises on the Seine vary in duration. A classic cruise lasts about 1 hour and 10 minutes, while a lunch cruise can last about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Dinner cruises can last from 1 hour to 2 hours and 30 minutes, depending on the operator and the type of meal. For example, Bateaux Parisiens’ dinner cruises last 1 hour or 2 hours and 30 minutes, while Le Diamant Bleu’s gourmet dinner cruise lasts about 3 hours.
Choosing the best cruise depends on your personal preferences. Bateaux Mouches offers classic cruises, with lunch and dinner, departing from the Pont de l’Alma. Bateaux Parisiens offers guided, lunch and dinner cruises, departing from the Eiffel Tower. Vedettes de Paris departs from Port de Suffren, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. Le Diamant Bleu offers restaurant cruises with gourmet dinner or Italian trattoria. Paris Canal offers canal cruises via the Canal Saint-Martin.
Embarkation points vary by tour operator. The main embarkation points include Pont de l’Alma for Bateaux Mouches cruises, Port de la Bourdonnais for Bateaux Parisiens, Port de Suffren for Vedettes de Paris, Quai d’Austerlitz and 116 avenue du Président Kennedy for Le Diamant Bleu, Quai Anatole France and Port Solferino for Paris City Vision, and Musée d’Orsay and Parc de la Villette for Paris Canal.
On a cruise on the Seine, you can see some of Paris’ most iconic monuments. These include the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Hôtel de Ville, Conciergerie, Musée d’Orsay, Assemblée Nationale, Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde, Grand Palais, Palais Bourbon, Pont Alexandre III, and Pont des Arts.
Conclusions
In conclusion, a cruise on the Seine offers a unique experience to discover Paris from a different perspective.
Whether you choose a classic, lunch or dinner cruise, you will have the opportunity to admire the city’s most iconic monuments in a relaxed and atmospheric atmosphere.
Remember to check the times and duration of the cruises when you make your reservation to ensure you get the most out of this unforgettable experience.
Seine River Cruise Tickets
Reserve your seat on board now and experience Paris from a unique perspective! Tickets sell out easily, especially in the evening.
You can cancel up to 24 hours before your visit
Photo Credits
- ID 2583087 © Nicole Andersen | Dreamstime.com
