A photo essay of our Seine River cruise.
One of the things that I knew that we had to do when we were in Paris was take a boat cruise on the Seine. I have a very vivid memory of the cruise we took in Paris on our honeymoon and I wanted to relive the experience – and besides it’s just one of those quintessential things that you have to do in Paris.
Read Paris With Kids: The Best Things To See and Do
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The city is so beautiful when viewed from the water, particularly on a sunny day, and cruising on the river provides a different perspective on the buildings and landmarks that you have been walking by and the bridges that you have been walking over.
After returning to Paris from a day trip to Versailles one beautiful, sunny afternoon we decided it was the perfect day for our cruise and headed down to the river. We had decided on a cruise with Bâteaux Mouches which has been operating boat trips on the Seine for more than 60 years and departs from Pont de l’Alma on the Right Bank. We had only a short wait before we were able to board our boat and found seats on the top deck where we could enjoy the warm sunshine and gentle breeze as we cruised down the river.
Read reviews and/or book tickets in advance for Bâteaux Mouches on TripAdvisor
These are the photos that I snapped during our cruise.
Heading out on our Bâteaux Mouches cruise
We passed under famous bridges (that Emma counted)…
Pont Alexandre III from the Seine
Pont Neuf from the Seine
A close up view of the detail on Pont Neuf
Love Locks as seen from the Seine
Detail of Pont Bir-Hakeim
Another Bâteaux Mouches seen through the opening in a bridge
Sailed past famous buildings…
Assemblé Nationale (Palais Bourbon) as viewed from the Seine
Approaching Notre Dame
Looking up at Notre Dame
The Conciergerie
Musée d’Orsay from the Seine
Passing the Louvre
The Louvre
The Louvre from the Seine
Beautiful view
Hôtel de Ville from the Seine
Institut de France from the Seine
And we saw well-known landmarks…
The Eiffel Tower
Emma on the Seine cruise
Cruising on the Seine with Bâteaux Mouche was the perfect way to spend a sunny, spring afternoon in Paris.
What You Need To Know
- The boats board near the Pont de l’Alma on the Right Bank in the 8th arrondissement.
- Free parking is available on the quay for the duration of the cruise.
- The cost per adult is 11.5 Euros; Children under 12 years of age are 5.5 Euros (2012 pricing)
- Lunch and Dinner cruises are available at an additional fee
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Mary @ The World Is A Book
What a great way to spend a sunny, Paris spring day! Great pictures, Lisa! I love how you can see a different vantage point of the landmarks from the river. We did this cruise at night from the Pont-Neuf bridge. It’s such a contrast. We’ll need to go back and do a daytime one.
lisa wood
Gorgeous! Love the idea of cruising on the seine 🙂
Sophie
Ah, the Bateaux Mouches. Been meaning to do it, but something always seems to come in the way. Next time… You do get such a different view of a city from the water. And a nice cool breeze.
Allison
Your photos make me want to pack my bags. Thanks for sharing!
femmefrugality
So beautiful! I’d love to visit Paris again, as the last time I was there (other than CDG) I was too young to remember. I’ll have to remember to take a cruise!
Leigh
I’ve been to Paris on several occasions but never have I taken a boat cruise. I think it’s such a great way to get a different perspective of the city. Should I return I will follow in your footsteps.
Aleah | SolitaryWanderer.com
Wow, love the idea of taking another look at the major landmarks in Paris. You’re lucky you had such a wonderful day. Indeed, perfect for taking a river cruise! Never been there yet, but it’s on the plan for my next Eurotrip 🙂
Lisa Goodmurphy
And I would love to repeat the cruise at night when the city is lit up!
Lisa Goodmurphy
I don’t mind being surrounded by tourists if it means that I can be on a boat cruising on the Seine. I love seeing cities from the water – a bit of the Viking blood in me, I think!
Lisa Goodmurphy
You would love it, Lisa – you just sit back and soak it up!
Lisa Goodmurphy
I love seeing a city from the water – it’s a different perspective and completely relaxing to just sit back and float past all the buildings.
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks, Allison – looking at the photos makes me want to pack my bags and go back too!
Lisa Goodmurphy
Definitely return to Paris – spend a few days walking around the city and then hop on a cruise boat to see it in an entirely different light.
Lisa Goodmurphy
It is a great way to get a different perspective on the buildings and on Parisians themselves. If we hadn’t seen them from our cruise, I would have had no idea that Parisians liked to hang out along the riverbanks reading, eating, sunning and just enjoying the beautiful day – you just don’t see them from street level unless you know to look.
Lisa Goodmurphy
It was an absolutely perfect day – in fact, we had 9 days in Paris and it only rained on the last day so we were very lucky!
Dick Jordan
Been there, done that! Thanks for reminding me with these photos!
Bob R
It is a very ‘touristy’ thing to do. That doesn’t mean it’s not hugely entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable. 🙂 It’s a great trip to take. I was once invited on a dinner cruise on the Seine. Simply fabulous (especially as I wasn’t paying).
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista
Can’t leave Paris without a cruise on the Seine! Next time do the one at night. It is beautiful too.
Filip Demuinck
Excellent article and pictures. The classic trip in Paris.
Greetings,
Filip
Andi at The Particular Traveler
Beautiful! I would love to sit back and relax, cruising down the Seine and enjoying the sights. The dinner cruise would be fun too. Excellent photos 🙂
jade
We went on a similar tour at night and it looked completely different. funny how time of day can change how you like or feel about something. Great photos!
walkingon travels
I saw this at 4am when I was up with the baby. You certainly brightened up my morning with a little travel dreaming. Thank you!
Sabrina
How fun! I only ever did this when it was dark. Fascinating how many of Paris’ famous sights are located so close to the Seine. Beautiful pics!
Manonthelam1
I’ve always wanted to see that Love Locks bridge!
InsideJourneys
I didn’t do the boat cruise, now I wish I had. It’s such a different perspective.
Lisa Goodmurphy
A dinner cruise does sound fabulous – and the only thing better than a cruise on the Seine is a free cruise on the Seine! 😉
Lisa Goodmurphy
I enjoyed remembering the experience while putting the post together!
Lisa Goodmurphy
A nighttime cruise is now on my list of things that I want to do in Paris!
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks, Filip!!
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks, Andi – it was a very relaxing way to spend the afternoon!
Lisa Goodmurphy
Quite a few people have mentioned taking a cruise at night – now I want to go back and do that!
Lisa Goodmurphy
Glad to help, Keryn! Hope the baby starts letting you get more sleep soon!
Lisa Goodmurphy
A reminder for us of the importance of the river when these cities were being built.
Lisa Goodmurphy
We walked over a couple of bridges with Love Locks that were quite interesting – as is the tradition itself. I think there are a couple of close up photos in the Paris album on my Facebook page.
Lisa Goodmurphy
The boat cruise is worth doing – if you are in Paris again then definitely consider it.
Cathy Sweeney
Ah, Paris! Great pics. The Seine cruise is one of those touristy must-dos. On my blog, I’ve admitted to falling asleep for part of the ride, but I loved what I experienced while awake and would take it again.
Steve
That’s a lot of stuff to see in one cruise. How long is this boat ride? Just from looking at all the great pictures, I’m thinking two or three days? Great way to see Paris though. Keeps the kids from complaining about all the waking too.
Lisa Goodmurphy
I remembered that you had fallent asleep on your cruise so I made sure that we waitied until we had been in Paris a few days and were no longer jet lagged. I had a camera-toting 15 year old with me and didn’t want pics of me sleeping on the Seine to show up on the internet! 🙂
Becca@RWTYM?
What a great way to see the city! I was half expecting to see the fun water shot too!
Thanks for linking up this week!
A Facebook User
Wonderful pictures. Makes me even more excited for my upcoming trip.
Sonja
Although I had been to Paris many times before, it wasn’t until our last trip that we took a boat ride down the Seine. It was a night tour (also on Bâteaux Mouche) and I loved it, not only to get a new perspective on the city but also to see its fabulous lights.
Jeff Titelius
Wonderful photo tour on the Seine! Thanks for taking me back to Paris and thanks for all the helpful descriptions with your photos!
InACents
Do they narrate during the cruise, and if so is there an English translation? That would be a great way to see the City if you were short on time.
Amy
I love the photos. We always take cruises anytime one is available in a city. It’s a great way to see the city from a different angle.
Michele @ Malaysian Meanders
That looks beautiful. i’ll have to keep a cruise down the Seine in mind if I ever find myself in that neck of the woods.
Lisa Goodmurphy
I think the cruise lasted about an hour, Steve and you’re right it does put an end to the complaints about having to walk.
Lisa Goodmurphy
It is a great way to see the city, Becca – I think everyone who visits Paris should do it at least once.
Lisa Goodmurphy
Wish I had an upcoming trip to Paris, Monique! 🙂 Have a great time!!
Lisa Goodmurphy
A night time tour of the Seine has moved way up my bucket list now – I can imagine just how beautiful it is with the lights of Paris twinkling. Just driving by the Eiffel Tower at night when it was lit up was a highlight for us.
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks for your comment, Jeff! It’s easy to take wonderful photos in Paris!
Lisa Goodmurphy
There wasn’t any narration on this particular cruise, however, I remember there being narration on the one that my husband and I took years ago. The one thing that I remember distinctly is that the tour guide told us that there was one particular bridge to make a wish under – and I can’t remember which bridge it was!
Lisa Goodmurphy
I also love to take cruises whenever we can – it’s such an interesting perspective!
Lisa Goodmurphy
I would highly recommend a cruise if you are in Paris.
Nicole at Arrows Sent Forth
My first trip out of the U.S. was to France when I was in high school. Much of the trip was a total disaster (long story), but I will forever credit an absolute magical boat ride down the Seine at night as the inspiration for every subsequent trip back to Europe. Such a gorgeous city! Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
Lisa Goodmurphy
Paris was one of the stops on my first trip to Europe as well and the cruise on the Seine was definitely a highlight! There is something magical about sailing down the river and seeing the famous landmarks from a different light!
cindy thetravelgal
Looks like a wonderful way to see the city!
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks, Cindy – it’s a wonderful perspective and a very relaxing break from walking the streets.