Seine river cruise in Paris for 2027: the river and its monuments

Why take a Seine river cruise during a stay in Paris

The banks of the Seine have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. The listed area, extended in 2024, now runs from the Austerlitz viaduct to the Bir-Hakeim bridge and the Île aux Cygnes, and takes in 26 bridges, the Île de la Cité, the Île Saint-Louis and a string of major monuments. In other words, a boat trip passes right through the protected heart of the capital.

A Seine cruise to make sense of the city

Seen from the embankments, Paris is a series of streets; seen from the river, it becomes a coherent whole. You grasp why the Cité was the cradle of Lutetia, how the Louvre stretches along almost a kilometre of riverbank, and why the bridges bear the names of battles or monarchs. It is also a welcome break in the middle of a day on foot, and an activity that appeals to every age group.

A Seine river cruise as a first introduction

On the first day of a trip, an hour on the water works as a reconnaissance: you locate the sights you will later visit on foot and get a feel for the real distances between them.

The monuments you see from a Seine river cruise

The classic route forms a loop between the area around the Eiffel Tower and the islands in the centre. Depending on where you board, the direction varies, but the highlights stay the same.

The western stretch of the Seine cruise

• The Eiffel Tower, seen from below at river level, then from behind after the boat turns.
• The Île aux Cygnes and its replica of the Statue of Liberty, often the turning point for the boats.
• The Pont Alexandre III, built for the 1900 World's Fair, with its lamp posts and gilded statues, and behind it the dome of Les Invalides.
• The Grand Palais and its glass roof, on the Right Bank.

The central stretch of the Seine cruise

• The Musée d'Orsay, a former railway station recognisable by its large clocks.
• The Louvre and the Tuileries Garden on the Right Bank.
• The Pont Neuf, completed in 1607, the oldest surviving bridge in Paris despite its name, which means “new bridge”.
• The Conciergerie and its medieval towers on the Île de la Cité, followed by the Hôtel de Ville.
• Notre-Dame de Paris, reopened to the public in December 2024, whose apse and spire come into view from the arm of the Seine that runs alongside the island.
• The Île Saint-Louis and its 17th-century mansions.

Where to board a Seine river cruise

A handful of piers account for most guided cruise departures. The exact location is always given on your booking confirmation: read it carefully, as two neighbouring piers can be separated by a bridge you need to cross.

Seine cruise from the foot of the Eiffel Tower

Port de la Bourdonnais, below the Champ-de-Mars in the 7th arrondissement, is the best-known departure point. Get there by metro 6 (Bir-Hakeim), RER C (Champ de Mars – Tour Eiffel) or metro 6 and 9 (Trocadéro), crossing the Pont d'Iéna.

Seine cruise from the Pont Neuf

At the tip of the Île de la Cité, the Square du Vert-Galant hosts departures right beside the central monuments. The nearest stations are Pont Neuf on line 7 and Cité on line 4.

Seine cruise near the Pont de l'Alma

The embankments around the Pont de l'Alma, on the Right Bank, are another common departure point, served by Alma-Marceau station (line 9) and Pont de l'Alma station (RER C).

Guided or panoramic Seine river cruise: the options

The basic option is the sightseeing cruise of about an hour with no stops: you board, complete the loop and return to where you started. Commentary is provided on board, recorded or live depending on the boat, and is usually available in several languages.

The classic one-hour Seine cruise

This is the easiest to slot into a busy itinerary: an hour and a quarter is enough, boarding included. The boats generally have an open-air deck and a glazed lounge for cooler days.

The panoramic Seine cruise

Some options feature boats with extensive glazing or a larger upper deck, so you can take photos without reflections or obstructions. They suit photographers and anyone who wants to enjoy the view whatever the weather.

Seine river cruise with a meal

Lunch or dinner on board turns the trip into an evening out, with a longer duration and a fixed boarding time. The menu and expected dress code vary depending on the option you choose.

Prices depend on the boat, the departure time and any extras: the day's price is shown directly in the calendar on this page.

Seine river cruise by day or by night: which time to choose

Departures generally run from late morning until late evening, with more frequent sailings from mid-March to the end of October. In winter, the schedule is reduced, especially on weekdays.

A daytime Seine cruise

Ideal for reading the architecture, picking out details on the façades and the sculptures on the bridges, and for children. Mid-morning is often quieter than the afternoon.

A Seine cruise at dusk

The golden hour sets the pale stone of the embankments and the gilding of the Pont Alexandre III aglow. It is the most photogenic moment, and therefore the most heavily booked in summer.

A Seine river cruise at night

Once night falls, the monuments are lit up and the Eiffel Tower sparkles for five minutes at the start of every hour. If you want to catch the sparkle from the water, choose a departure timed just before the hour.

When the river is in flood, sailings may be suspended or the route shortened, as boats can no longer pass under certain bridges: if in doubt, check the situation the day before.

Practical tips for your Seine river cruise

• Arrival: be at the pier fifteen to twenty minutes before departure; boarding is first come, first served, and the best outdoor seats go first.
• Ticket: have your mobile ticket ready, with the QR code clearly visible and your screen brightness turned up to the maximum.
• Clothing: on the open deck the wind is brisker than on the embankments; a jumper or windproof jacket is useful even in summer, and a hat and water in hot weather.
• Which side: there is no single best side, since the boat turns round; simply swap sides halfway through.
• Children: younger ones love passing under the bridges; keep an eye on them on the open deck.
• Accessibility: wheelchair access depends on the pier and the boat, sometimes with ramps, sometimes with steps; mention your needs when you book.
• Security: on very busy embankments, keep bags closed and phones close to you, as in any tourist area.

Real duration of a Seine river cruise

Allow about an hour and a half in total for arriving at the pier, boarding, sailing and getting off.

Before or after your Seine river cruise: ideas for visits

Your choice of pier naturally shapes the rest of the day. From Port de la Bourdonnais, the Eiffel Tower rises right above the quay: combine a climb with a cruise to see the monument from above and then from below. From the Square du Vert-Galant, you are a few minutes from Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie, and from Notre-Dame de Paris if you follow the embankment. Starting from the Alma, avenue Marceau leads up towards the Arc de Triomphe, and the Musée d'Orsay lies a little further along on the Left Bank.

A day built around a Seine cruise

One possible plan: a morning at the Louvre or Orsay, lunch on the Île Saint-Louis, an afternoon on the Île de la Cité, then a sunset cruise to round off the day with the illuminated river.

Your Seine river cruise in 2027: book with the calendar

In 2027, the most popular times on the river will be, as every year, summer evenings, the period around the Fête de la Musique and the festive season, when the Christmas lights add to the illumination of the monuments. On 14 July, sailings and access to the embankments near the Eiffel Tower are usually adjusted because of the fireworks: find out more if you are aiming for that date.

Checking places on a Seine river cruise

Find your date in the calendar built into this page, then click “Check availability”. We immediately consult our booking partner and show you the departures still open that day, along with their price. If everything is fully booked, just leave your email address: we will write to you as soon as places on a Seine river cruise free up on your chosen date.