A Seine river cruise is one of the simplest ways to see Paris: the quays, Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay and the Eiffel Tower pass by from the water, with commentary. This page covers sightseeing cruises by day or in the evening only, not dining formats.
Our top pick: Paris: Hop-On Hop-Off Seine Cruise Pass with 9 Stops
The companies in brief
- Bateaux Mouches: the best known. Boats leave near Pont de l’Alma, in an area close to the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Élysées.
- Vedettes du Pont Neuf: departs from the Vert-Galant, at the tip of the Île de la Cité, in central Paris next to the Pont Neuf. Handy if you stay on the Left Bank or near Notre-Dame.
- Batobus: a hop-on hop-off service, to get off and on at several stops. See our Batobus guide.
- Bus-and-cruise tickets: Big Bus and Tootbus offer an optional cruise: see our Paris hop-on hop-off guide.
Cruises usually last about an hour, but timetables, commentary languages and fares depend on the company: check their site before booking.
How to choose
- The pier: pick the one closest to your hotel or your next visit.
- The time: in the late afternoon the light on the quays is softer and the monuments light up at dusk.
- The format: a simple loop is enough for a first visit; a hop-on hop-off pass suits you if you want to get off at the monuments.
Passes and cruises to book
Paris: Hop-On Hop-Off Seine Cruise Pass with 9 Stops
River pass, 24h or 48h. 4.4/5 from over 6,600 reviews.
Paris: Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Tour and Seine River Cruise
Bus and boat on one ticket. 4.4/5 from over 1,300 reviews.
Paris: Seine River Pass Ticket, Multiple Options
Pass with several formats. 4.2/5 from 30 reviews.
Why book online
- Free cancellation on most tickets, usually up to 24 hours before
- Reserved time slot: no queue at the ticket desk
- Mobile ticket on your phone
- Reviews from verified travelers
Good to know: the tickets above are passes and combos offered by our partner. For a ticket from one specific company (Bateaux Mouches, Vedettes du Pont Neuf), book on that company’s own site.
Frequently asked questions
Which company should I choose for a Seine cruise?
It mostly depends on the pier closest to your hotel, the length and the time of day. The sightseeing routes all pass the same main landmarks.
Bateaux Mouches or Vedettes du Pont Neuf?
Bateaux Mouches leaves near Pont de l'Alma, on the Eiffel Tower side. Vedettes du Pont Neuf leaves from the Île de la Cité, in the heart of Paris. Compare length and timetable on each company's site.
Can I combine a cruise with a sightseeing bus?
Yes, several bus tickets include an optional Seine cruise, or a hop-on hop-off boat pass lets you get off at several stops.
Is this site official?
No. This guide is independent and does not sell any company's own tickets. The passes shown can be booked through GetYourGuide.
Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It funds the research behind this site.
