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After personally testing the top five Seine river cruises in Paris, I concluded that Bateaux Parisiens offers the best sightseeing experience. Here is a list of companies that offer semi-private or private boat tours along the Seine. First, here are those companies which specialize in private Seine cruises which are probably the best fit for those looking for a private experience as a couple, family, or small group. Bateaux de Paris is the newest company to offer regular Seine River cruises. Although the company primarily does private events, one of its smaller boats is used for seasonal tourist sightseeing cruises. The boat is one of the smallest boats offering regular cruises and easy to spot with its bright orange color.
Canauxrama Seine Cruise
Les Vedettes du Pont Neuf operates a small fleet of small and medium sized boats and have been operating tourist cruises since the 1960’s. Paris de Vedettes offers pretty much the same standard 1-hour cruise of the Seine as most of the other companies; however their boats are smaller than many of the other companies. Many people also appreciate the option to purchase snacks or drinks during the cruise.
Tips for a Paris River Cruise
For instance, many lines use Rouen -- generally the turnaround point for a Seine River cruise -- as a homebase for tours of Normandy's historic D-Day beaches. In town, the medieval streets of the city include a stunning cathedral that was famously painted by Monet. Paris Canal, established in 1977, specializes in diverse cruises on the Seine, the Marne, and the Paris canals. With a dedicated team and 40 years of history, they offer sightseeing trips, group cruises, and private events, focusing on more unique, lesser-known parts of Paris. If you're looking for a more intimate, cozy, and smaller-scale cruising experience, Vedettes de Paris is the perfect choice compared to sightseeing cruises, which handle massive crowds daily. The audio guide, broadcast via loudspeakers in English, offers high-quality sound and informative content, enhancing the sightseeing experience.
Summary & Comparison — 5 Best Seine River Cruises in Paris
It operates a fleet of eight boats with a capacity of 200 passengers each and additional boats holding 150 passengers. Alternatively, you can join a cruise with live narration in English and French. Paid parking is also available (for free if you go on one of their dinner cruises). The audio guide on the smartphone is crystal-clear and of high quality.
The Agony of Choice: Find the Perfect Paris River Seine Cruise
Canauxrama is better known for its canal cruises than Seine cruises; however, the company was purchased by Vedettes du Pont Neuf in 2007 which operates Seine cruise boats. If you are looking for a longer cruise (1.5 hours and longer) that does not include dinner, this is a good price. The main Seine River sightseeing cruises are 2 hours long and combine a canal cruise with a Seine River cruise. While you can buy tickets for most cruises the same day in-person near the dock, you may be able to save money by purchasing in advance. Often tickets are valid for 3 months to 1 year following purchase allowing you to choose the time and date of your Seine cruise.
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TheCruiseDetective.com is your free guide to help choose the best river cruises around the world. We test, evaluate and review river cruises in the various cities around the world for your benefit. The boats can become crowded, especially in the summer months and around school holidays.
These can be group experiences or, more commonly, private experiences. For example this evening tour (choice of dinner at Eiffel Tower or on the cruise) includes a Seine dinner cruise, Eiffel Tower visit, and Moulin Rouge show. Most boats now include an audio guide that will play in several languages including Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish.
The company only operates cruises between April and September and does not offer them daily. Live narration is provided by real guides; however, both sound quality and guide quality can vary. You also have the option to download the commentary in advance and listen to it during your trip with your own smartphone and headphones.
But some boats still have live narration on-board by guides in French and English on some cruises. Canauxrama is one of the top companies for providing canal tours around Paris, but they also provide scenic tours along the Seine River as well as a combined canal and river cruise. The Canuaxrama boats vary a bit but all have a closed bottom deck and an open-top deck. First, most Seine cruises last about an hour in duration and stop and end at the same point unless otherwise noted.
Bateaux Mouches offers a slightly different yet stellar sightseeing experience in the same weight class as Bateaux Parisiens. Your Seine river cruise will also pass through more than 20 bridges – some of them are the most famous bridges in France, like the Pont Neuf, the Pont Alexandre III, and the Pont des Arts. Not only does a Seine cruise offer a picturesque overview of Paris in a condensed timeframe, but you’ll also glide past many of the city’s major landmarks. The boat accommodates up to eight people, so it’s ideal for your small gatherings, celebrations, or simply an elevated sightseeing experience in Paris. If you travel with a pet, I have good news because your furry companions are also welcome on board. You have the flexibility to choose between a 1.5-hour early evening sail or a more leisurely 2.5-hour cruise.
Sometimes, you can purchase them as an add-on during the booking process. 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 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.
A Seine river cruise is a very popular way to see Paris, and one we always recommend to visitors to the city. These short river cruises allow you to take in many of the highlights of the city—the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d’Orsay, Notre Dame Cathedral, etc.—as you float along the Seine River. » While you can buy tickets for most of the sightseeing cruises the same day at the dock, you may be able to save money by purchasing it online in advance.
Boat access requires being able to climb up and down a set of stairs so you need to be at least somewhat mobile to do the ride. For those who can handle the steps, wheelchairs and walkers can be accommodated on the boat and there is a wheelchair-accessible toilet aboard the boat. Boats with top decks allow for better viewing and pictures, but during cold weather everyone will be forced into the covered spaces. Live narration can be difficult to hear, especially near the engine and on top deck if crowded.
The boats stop at each stop every 20 to 25 minutes depending on the season. Pre-recorded narration is provided in several languages, including English, over the boat speaker system. Many of Paris’s most famous and important buildings, bridges, and attractions can be seen from the river.
