Bateaux Parisiens is one of the largest sightseeing cruise operators on the Seine, departing directly from the foot of the Eiffel Tower. The standard cruise runs about an hour with an audio guide, passing the Musée d'Orsay, Notre-Dame, and the Louvre along the way. Beyond the standard route, the company also runs themed cruise variations plus separate lunch and dinner cruises with a set menu on board.
Bateaux Parisiens departs from the Port de la Bourdonnais, on the Seine directly beneath the Eiffel Tower. The standard Sightseeing Cruise runs about an hour, non-stop, looping back to the same dock. An individual audio guide, available in 14 languages, narrates the landmarks as you pass them, and the boats are fully glass-sided, so the view stays open regardless of where you're seated.
Bateaux Parisiens runs several cruise formats rather than a single fixed product, and they're genuinely different from each other, not just the same trip with a different name:
Sightseeing Cruise
The plain hour-long loop, audio guide included, no food.
'Les Incollables' Quiz Cruise
The same route, with a printed activity booklet for children aged 7 to 12 included at a small extra cost over the standard child rate.
Gourmet Cruise with Crêpe
The same route, with a freshly made crêpe (topping of your choice) picked up at the on-board kiosk before, during, or after the ride.
Cruise with Commentary
A smaller, more exclusive boat on a shorter route focused on Notre-Dame and the Île de la Cité, with live bilingual narration and a drink included.
Lunch Cruise
A separate 2-hour sailing at 12:45 PM with a full sit-down meal.
Dinner Cruise
Two evening seatings with a full set menu; details on timing and pricing further down this page.
What You'll See With Bateaux Parisiens
Schedule & Prices
Departure Times
| 1 April – 30 September | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM, every 30 min (until 11:00 PM Fri/Sat and daily in July–August) |
| 1 October – 31 March | 10:30 AM – 9:15 PM, every 45–60 min (until 10:00 PM on weekends) |
| Lunch Cruise | 12:45 PM, single daily departure, returns approx. 2:45 PM |
| Dinner Cruise | 6:15 PM (returns approx. 7:30 PM) or 8:30 PM (returns approx. 11:00 PM) |
Exact departure times shift slightly by season and are published a few weeks ahead on the operator's own site; the ranges above hold consistently across the year.
Sightseeing Cruise (about 1 hour)
| Adult (12+) | 20.00 € |
| Child (4–11) | 10.00 € |
| Child under 4 | free |
'Les Incollables' Quiz Cruise (about 1 hour)
| Adult (12+) | 20.00 € |
| Child (4–11) | 13.00 € |
Gourmet Cruise with Crêpe (about 1 hour)
| Adult (12+) | 23.00 € |
| Child (4–11) | 13.00 € |
Cruise with Commentary (Notre-Dame route, incl. drink)
| Adult (12+) | 39.00 € |
| Child (4–11) | 30.00 € |
Lunch & Dinner Cruises
| Lunch Cruise, per person | from 79.00 € |
| Dinner Cruise, per person | from 99.00 € |
Lunch and dinner prices vary further by the specific menu and seating tier chosen. Every ticket type above is a few euros cheaper when booked online in advance than paid for at the dock on the day.
What's Included
Included
- 1-hour sightseeing cruise on the Seine
- Individual audio guide (14 languages)
- Covered, glass-sided boat
Not included
- Food and drinks (unless booking a crêpe, lunch, or dinner cruise specifically)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Live guide (commentary is pre-recorded audio, not narrated live, except on the Cruise with Commentary)
The Route
Boarding and departure point, at the Port de la Bourdonnais.
Napoleon's tomb and the seat of the lower house of French parliament, both visible from the river.
The former railway station turned Impressionist museum, followed by the domed home of the Académie française.
The cathedral, the Hôtel de Ville, and the Conciergerie, all visible in sequence as the boat passes the island.
The Louvre's river-facing wing, followed by the Place de la Concorde and the glass-roofed Grand Palais.
The cruise turns back toward the Eiffel Tower after passing the Arc de Triomphe in the distance, ending near the Palais de Chaillot.
Departures
Daily, every 30–60 min depending on season
Tips for Your Cruise
Choose the right cruise for your plan
The plain Sightseeing Cruise is the cheapest way to see the route. Traveling with kids aged 7 to 12? The 'Les Incollables' Quiz Cruise costs the same as the standard cruise for adults and adds an activity booklet at a small extra cost for children.
Pick your dinner seating by priority
The 6:15 PM dinner seating is shorter and catches the monuments in daylight. The 8:30 PM seating runs longer, adds live music, and passes the illuminated city after dark — the better choice if the lights are the main draw.
Book ahead for a discount
Every ticket type is a few euros cheaper when booked online in advance than paid for at the dock on the day.
Meeting Point
Treffpunkt: Port de la Bourdonnais, 75007 Paris, France
Boarding is at the Port de la Bourdonnais, pontoon 3, on the Seine directly beneath the Eiffel Tower. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your departure time; boats leave on schedule rather than waiting for latecomers.
Photo Gallery
