The 9 Best Boat Tours In Paris, France (Updated 2023)

With the Seine running through its heart, Paris is the perfect city for a boat tour. Whether you’re exploring the city’s most famous sights or partaking in other fun water activities, a boat tour is the perfect Parisian experience to factor into your trip. Below are some of the best boat tours in Paris that I’d recommend to first-time visitors.

The 9 Best Boat Tours In Paris

1. Paris: 1-Hour River Seine Cruise

“A speedy, unique way to see the main landmarks of Paris.”

This hour-long River Seine cruise is a perfect (and super affordable) way to see the best sights of Paris. Though bus tours are typically more popular, a river cruise will give you a unique view of some of the city’s top sights, including Notre Dame, the Louvre, and of course, the Eiffel Tower, where you begin and end the tour.

One of the best parts of this cruise is floating under the historic bridges that stretch over the Seine. Plus, you’ll get commentary about the sights you’re seeing, and access to extra content if you’d like to know more about Paris through an app.

2. Paris: Private Cruise on the Seine in Paris

“A private river cruise showing you the prettiest sights of Paris.”

Any boat tour in Paris is great, but for an even more special experience, consider booking a private tour. This exclusive tour will show you the same popular sights from a small boat, promising you the very best front-row views.

Starting at Port Javel Haut, this cruise can cater for groups of up to five people and is available in French, English, and Polish. Each passenger will be given a bottle of water for the cruise, and you can also play music through Bluetooth speakers to really set the mood.

If you’re visiting Paris with a special someone, this tour is one of the most romantic experiences you can have in the City of Lights.

3. Paris: Evening River Cruise With Music

“A dreamlike way to see the best of Paris under the stars.”

They don’t call it the City of Lights for nothing. Paris truly sparkles at night, so taking an evening river cruise allows you to see the French capital in a totally new light (literally). As you pass major points of interest like the Eiffel Tower and Grand Palais, you’ll be dazzled by the illumination.

This tour starts and ends at the base of the Eiffel Tower. Passengers receive a complimentary glass of wine, beer or champagne, and relaxing music is also played to complete the magical ambiance.

You won’t have a guide on board during this tour, so it’s a better option for those looking to have an enchanting evening admiring the picturesque views, rather than for those who want to learn the facts about the sights they pass.

4. Paris: Gourmet Dinner Cruise on Seine River With Live Music

“A floating dinner party that will take you past some of Paris’ most stunning attractions.”

The only thing better than a boat tour in Paris is a boat tour with dinner included.

This tour offers a three-course meal of authentic French cuisine prepared by an on-board chef so you can dine in style. Lose yourself in traditional French flavors as you take in the passing sights of the city, and then head up to the spacious upper deck for even better views.

There’s a dress code for this lavish tour, so leave your sandals and shorts at home. You can choose from Gourmet Dinner and Sparkling Dinner categories, and VIP versions of both varieties. All tours leave from Quai d’Austerlitz.

Best of all, the boat has a dancefloor and DJ, so you can end your night dancing away under the stars.

5. Paris: The Miraculous Cruise Immersive Show In French

“A show to keep French-speaking children busy as you glide down the Seine.”

If you’re traveling to Paris with children who speak French, booking tickets to the Miraculous Cruise Immersive Show is a great way to get them excited. The show is run by Miraculous superheroes Ladybug and Chat Noir, who need the audience’s help to solve puzzles.

The show, which is suitable for children between six and eight years old, is the main focus of this tour, taking place as the boat glides down the Seine. It leaves from Port de la Bourdonnais at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.

6. Paris: 2-Hour River Seine Lunch Cruise

“Satisfying three-course lunch on the water.”

If you like the idea of enjoying a meal on a boat tour in Paris, but all your nights in the City of Lights are booked up, consider a lunch cruise on the Seine. This cruise offers a satisfying three-course lunch, including a cheese course, as it takes you past the legendary sights of Paris.

While the lunch is included, you can also purchase more drinks and souvenir photos for an extra fee. Dress is casual, however shorts and sportswear are not accepted. You can board the cruise at Port de la Bourdonnais.

7. Paris: Seine Cruise & Crepe Tasting Near The Eiffel Tower

“A river cruise completed with sugary Nutella crepes.”

Crepes are an integral part of the Parisian experience. This tour combines crepe tasting with a cruise on the Seine to allow passengers to enjoy two equally magical elements of the French capital.

The crepe tasting occurs either before or after the cruise, depending on the tour, so this is a great choice for those who have motion sickness or are worried about eating on the water. The tour also departs every hour, so you’ll likely have your pick of the most convenient time to go.

Like many boat cruises that include a visit to the Eiffel Tower, it departs from Port de la Bourdonnais.

8. Paris: Cruise On The Saint-Martin Canal & The Seine River

“View the tranquil streets surrounding the Canal St-Martin on this unique cruise.”

All river cruises in Paris take you down the Seine, but this one also takes you down the Canal St-Martin, allowing you to view less-explored areas of Paris. While you’ll still see the major Paris monuments and attractions as you glide down the Seine, you’ll also get to see the charming city streets around the canal.

This cruise offers commentary in both French and English as it travels from Parc de la Villette to Musée d’Orsay. One of the most exciting parts of the cruise is the plunge to the underground tunnel, which will take you to Arsenal Port and the July Column of Place de la Bastille.

9. Paris: City & River Seine Tour On Amphibious Bus

“Why choose between a bus and boat tour when you can have both?”

Incorporating land and water travel, this tour takes place on an amphibious bus that is able to transform into a floating object. You’ll board the bus at Place Jacques Rueff and get close-up views of a number of Parisian landmarks before taking off into the Seine and seeing the rest of the landmarks by water.

The bus-to-boat experience that doesn’t require you to change vehicles offers a unique take on the traditional Paris boat tour, and is well worth doing!

FAQs About The Best Boat Tours in Paris