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Looking for the perfect Seine River cruise in Paris? You’ve come to the right place!
Honestly, there’s no better way to see the sights of Paris than from the water. Cruising along the Seine offers stunning views of iconic landmarks, like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre Dame Cathedral. We’ve tried a lot of cruises on our many trips to Paris, so now we’re here to share our top picks.
In this blog, you’ll find all of the need-to-know info about the best cruise options in Paris, including gourmet dining and even a champagne tour – ooh la la! Keep on reading to find your ideal adventure on the Seine River.
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal FAVORITE tour is this Paris gourmet lunch and sightseeing cruise! We saw the most famous sights as we glided along the river while enjoying champagne, a 3-course meal, and wine. All the tables had great seats, but we highly recommend booking a table by the windows!
Best Seine River Cruises
1. Romantic dinner and sightseeing Seine River cruise
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Time: 8:30 pm
- Highlights: Luxurious boat cruise, floating past the city’s most famous monuments, seeing the Seine’s UNESCO-listed riverbanks, gourmet 3 or 4 course meal, live music, wine, champagne (if premier option selected)
- Inclusions: 2.5-hour sightseeing cruise, 3- or 4-course meal, welcome glass of kir or champagne, wine, tea or coffee, bottled water, private table, live entertainment
- Rating: 4.4 stars (check 5,900+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check prices here!
If you want to experience Paris at its most magical, then we highly recommend this luxurious Seine dinner cruise! It’s every bit as good as dining out at a fancy Parisian restaurant, only better because you get to watch the city lights sparkle as you glide past the most iconic landmarks.
From the moment we stepped on board, everything was impeccable. We had booked the premier option, and it was so worth it. We were greeted with a glass of champagne and then escorted to our window-side table, where we enjoyed the best views of the Seine’s UNESCO-listed riverbanks.
And as for the food itself, it was absolutely incredible. We feasted on a gourmet multi-course dinner prepared on board with fresh, seasonal ingredients. I had the foie gras to start, followed with sea bass for my main course, and a peach Vacherin cake for dessert. And of course, this was all washed down with a few glasses of French wine – what could be better?
As we dined, we floated past Paris’ most famous landmarks, including Notre Dame, the Louvre, and Pont Alexandre III, all illuminated in golden light. The onboard musicians added an extra touch of romance. In fact, we felt like we were in a scene from a movie!
This wasn’t just dinner – it really was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you’re celebrating or just want to treat yourself, don’t hesitate, and book the premier option! Paris deserves to be seen this way.
Check thousands of 5-star reviews and book this tour here!
Related Read: For a stress-free trip, our Paris Itinerary covers all the must-see sights in a well-organized and easy-to-follow plan.
2. 3-course lunch cruise on the Seine
- Duration: 2 hours
- Time: 12:45 pm
- Highlights: Seeing the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and Musée d’Orsay, gourmet 3-course lunch on board, wine, live entertainment, welcome glass of champagne
- Inclusions: 2-hour boat cruise, 3-course lunch, welcome glass of champagne, wine with lunch, coffee and or tea, range of seating options
- Rating: 4.6 stars (check 2,200+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check prices here!
This gourmet lunch cruise on the Seine was such a special experience. I mean, what could be better than a gourmet lunch, wine, and amazing views of Paris’ most iconic landmarks? Short answer: nothing!
We decided to go all out and opted for the Premier Service, which proved to be an excellent decision! We were greeted with a chilled glass of champagne and then were seated right at the front of the boat in the VIP area.
As the boat glided along the Seine, the city unfolded before us. We saw Notre Dame, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower from the water, while the live music on board created the perfect ambiance. And the food only made things better – I’m talking about marinated prawns, salmon steak, and an amazing blackberry chocolate square for dessert. We really couldn’t have asked for more!
Meanwhile, the wine flowed freely and the staff was super attentive, which further elevated the experience. As we passed under the Pont Alexandre III, our waiter shared fun tidbits about the bridge’s history. He also reminded us to make a wish as we sailed under the Pont Marie, as the legend instructs.
I’m not kidding when I say that this cruise is an enchanting experience that will have you falling head over heels in love with the city of Paris, and the thousands of 5-star reviews definitely seem to agree with us! It was elegant, romantic, and totally unforgettable. We would definitely book this cruise again!
Check out the different packages and book your gourmet lunch cruise here!
Related Read: Another must-do activity in Paris is visiting the Eiffel Tower. Check out the top 3 favorite Eiffel Tower tours here!
3. Private boat tour to see Paris’ top sights
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Time: Multiple departures between 9:30 am and 9:30 pm
- Highlights: Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Pont Alexandre III, Pont Neuf, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris Beach
- Inclusions: Private boat cruise, crew, bottled water, champagne, snacks
- Rating: 5 stars (check 1,200+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check prices here!
If we had to pick just one Seine River cruise to do, we would choose this private tour! It’s a small, family-run operation, which we love, but with limited spots and high demand, you’ll want to reserve your boat ASAP.
We had the best time on this private cruise, and we’re clearly not the only ones. You can read well over a thousand 5-star reviews here! We got such a warm welcome from our captain, Robert, and we were instantly impressed by how spacious and comfortable the boat was. He even surprised us with a glass of champagne and some snacks as we set sail, which was such a thoughtful touch!
The boat had a fantastic sound system and we were free to play our own music as the city of Paris unfolded before us. We enjoyed top-notch views as we glided past the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre. We booked this tour for the late afternoon, so we even got to enjoy golden hour out on the river, which made the experience even more special.
Captain Robert was both knowledgeable and entertaining, sharing fascinating stories about the landmarks while ensuring we had plenty of time for photos, laughter, and pure enjoyment on board. We loved being able to enjoy a cruise just the two of us, with no crowds or other passengers to contend with. This tour is worth every moment, so do not hesitate to book!
Reserve your private boat cruise here, with FREE cancellation!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
4. Seine River champagne tasting cruise
- Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Time: 6:30 pm
- Highlights: Boat cruise down the River Seine, educational Champagne presentation, English-speaking sommelier, tasting three fine champagnes, option to include an entire bottle, seeing the city’s most famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre
- Inclusions: Seine River cruise, 3 champagne tastings, bottle of champagne (if option selected), live commentary
- Rating: 4.4 stars (check 550+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check prices here!
Sipping champagne is a must while you’re in Paris, and if you’re going to do it, then you might as well do it right! This cruise was the ultimate way to experience a guided champagne tasting while taking in the beauty of Paris.
We boarded the boat near the Eiffel Tower, and the experience felt exclusive and luxurious right from the start. We were ushered into a private area, where we met our English-speaking sommelier and began a guided tasting of three exquisite French champagnes.
We worked our way through a brut, a demi-sec, and a rosé. We learned about the vineyards that each champagne came from, the intricate production process, and the unique characteristics of each glass.
We decided to book the option that included a full bottle of champagne to enjoy after the tasting – after all, why not? I don’t know about you, but it’s not every day that we get to sip world-class bubbles on a Parisian river cruise. For us, it was totally worth it.
This tour is so much more than just a tasting experience. There’s something quintessentially Parisian (and absolutely magical) about sipping champagne on the Seine River, so whether you’re celebrating something special or just want to indulge, don’t hesitate to book this cruise.
Check availability and book this tour here, with FREE cancellation!
Related Read: If you’re looking for some other fun things to do in Paris, check out our list of the ten best activities here!
5. Gourmet dinner cruise with a DJ
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Time: 8:30 pm
- Highlights: Panoramic yacht cruise on the Seine River, 3-course chef-prepared dinner, sipping champagne (if option selected), live music, DJ set
- Inclusions: Boat cruise, crew, 3-course dinner, champagne (if selected), window seat (if VIP option selected), entertainment
- Rating: 4.6 stars (check 1,170+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check prices here!
This Seine dinner cruise is the ultimate romantic experience in Paris. If you’re here celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or honeymoon, then you can’t go wrong with this unforgettable evening of fine dining, stunning views, and top-tier entertainment. It’s an amazing way to treat yourself!
We booked the VIP option for this tour, which we thought was 100% worth it. We got the best seats in the house with premier views of Paris’ most beloved landmarks. Oh, and did I mention we got a full bottle of champagne to share? Yup, it doesn’t get much better than this!
If you’re celebrating a birthday, there’s also a special option that includes a cake to make the night even sweeter. I certainly wouldn’t mind spending my next birthday on this cruise!
One reason we loved this cruise so much is that the three-course dinner was simply outstanding. We had fresh tuna tartare followed by lamb shoulder confit, and finished with the most indulgent dessert ever, which was aptly named “Chocolate Therapy”.
After dinner, we carried on sipping champagne on the boat’s open-air terrace and took in the breathtaking views. The live singer and DJ were both super talented and had everyone up on the dancefloor by the end of the evening. It was the perfect end to a beautiful night in the City of Love!
Reserve your spot on this tour here, with the option to buy now, pay later!
Other Activities to do While in Paris
From world-famous museums to local bites and unforgettable day trips, these were some of our favorite experiences in Paris. Be sure to book early—these tours are popular and often fill up weeks in advance!
- Visit the Louvre – We booked this exclusive guided tour and skipped the long lines with reserved entry! Our expert guide brought the Venus de Milo, Mona Lisa, and hidden gems to life. It was an unforgettable way to explore the world’s most iconic museum.
- Tour the D-Day Beaches – This full–day trip from Paris took us to Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Utah Beach, and the American Cemetery. Our guide was incredible, lunch was included, and walking through these historic sites made World War II history feel much more personal.
- Take a food tour – Explore Paris like a local and eat your way through the city on this small-group food tour! We had so much fun tasting cheese, crepes, macarons, and wine while discovering hidden gems around Montmartre with our amazing guide!
- See the best of Paris in just a few hours – We hit 30+ iconic sights, from Montmartre to the Eiffel Tower, rode the Métro like locals, and learned so much from our fun, knowledgeable guide on this small-group walking tour. It was the perfect way to kick off our trip!
- Pedal through the royal grounds – We spent the day biking through Versailles, picking up treats at the market, wandering through Marie-Antoinette’s hamlet, and soaking in the palace views. This full-day bike tour was such a fun, relaxed way to experience the royal side of Paris!
Where to Stay in Paris, France
Paris is a city of elegance and luxury, so it’s no surprise that the hotels match that ambiance! That being said, you can find a variety of accommodation options in Paris, whether you’re looking for a luxury, mid-range, or budget stay. Here are my top recommendations:
Luxury – $$$
You can’t go wrong with Eiffel Tower views, and L’Hôtel du Collectionneur Paris delivers that and more! The design is Art-deco elegant, and rooms range from deluxe king rooms to suites and even a terrace apartment for those with a large budget. There is no such thing as a bad view, whether you have a window overlooking the garden or city or a full balcony!
It’s a short walk to Champs-Élysées Avenue and Paris’ best sights. Rooms start at €400 and go up, so book this stay early on Booking.com to get the best rate.
Mid-range – $$
Le Grey Hotel is a boutique hotel, located very close to the opera and Montmartre. These rooms have a modern design and you can get a standard room or a suite; some have balconies as well. The location is great, as you’re steps from the iconic Paris cafes and restaurants, and very close to the top city sights.
A room here starts around €200 and can reach €500+, depending on your room choice. Check availability and book this stay on Booking.com.
Budget – $
Caulaincourt Montmartre is a modern hostel with private or dorm rooms available. Located near the Sacré-Coeur Basilica, it is convenient to see the top attractions and get around the city. Private rooms start around €130 and some have an ensuite bathroom, or for the most budget option, dorms are available for about €60. The staff are friendly and the hostel is very clean, modern, and a great way to meet people!
Check availability and book this stay on Booking.com or Hostelworld.
For more options, check out all the hotels available in Paris here!
Related Read: Paris is a huge city with tons of places to stay. To help you better narrow down the perfect spot, we wrote an in-depth guide to the best areas and hotels here!
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Paris is a magical city to begin with, but seeing it from the River Seine is a must! The iconic landmarks are stunning, there are no crowds to deal with and amazing food and wine are usually involved. Count us in! Hopefully, you found the perfect river cruise for your time in Paris.
If this is only one of the stops on your European travels, have a look through all our blogs on Europe here or a few popular ones on destinations in France below.
10 Best Things to do in Paris, France
Where to Stay in Paris, France: 5 Areas & Hotels