Take a springtime cruise on the Seine

All aboard, ladies and gentlemen, for a Seine river cruise ... 

Why a Seine cruise is perfect in spring

What could be more idyllic than drifting down the River Seine in the heart of Paris, especially in the springtime? It’s the perfect way to experience the top attractions of one of the world’s most beautiful cities – even better, perhaps, when the sun is beginning to set or the Seine is fully illuminated. If you want to see more of the Seine in the spring, why not explore the river further with a longer cruise beyond the city too? The joys of Rouen and Fontainebleau are only a few days down river. 

Top things to do on a Seine cruise

A Seine river cruise is a great way to see the Paris landmarks

Admire Paris’ iconic landmarks from the water

The classic sightseeing Seine river cruise is the one thing most people do on their visit to Paris, if they have at least a couple of days in the city. You’ll see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Île de la Cité, Notre-Dame, the Garden of the Tuileries, Pont Alexandre III, Musée d’Orsay and many more iconic locations. These tours normally last about an hour and are offered by all the main boat companies. You’ll usually have a choice of indoor or outdoor seating. 

Capture stunning photos along the river

Get those phones ready for one memorable photo after another! You’ll be able to get some great snaps of all the Paris landmarks from the river. Try and grab a seat at the front of the boat or where you can get an unobstructed view. The larger boats will have outdoor terraces to soak up the sun on a fine day. Evening or sunset cruises is when the Seine can be captured at its most beautiful, with landmarks illuminated and the ‘City of Lights’ living up to its name.

Savour local food and drinks on board

The best value sightseeing Seine cruises normally do not serve food and drink, but there are a range of ticket options with food included, such as brunch, lunchtime and dinner cruises. Some companies also offer cruises with a glass of champagne and options where the ticket will include a lunchtime snack. There are some boats with an on-board bar, where drinks can be purchased in addition to the ticket price. 

Types of Seine cruises

Floating past Notre Dame on an evening cruise

Dinner cruises

Perhaps the epitome of Parisian romance is a Seine dinner cruise with your loved one, taking in all the beautifully lit up bridges, art galleries and churches. These are longer cruises, usually lasting 2-3 hours, in which you’ll be served a three course meal and also have the option of personalised touches to your dinner experience. Yes, there is even a marriage proposal service! Some companies also combine dinner cruises with seeing a show at one of Paris’s famous venues.  

Family-friendly cruises

Kids will love a Seine river cruise, but there are some companies, like Vedettes de Paris, that run cruises especially for families. The guides make the experience even more fun for children, posing riddles for the kids to solve, or telling them fascinating stories about the buildings and landmarks on the way. At the end of the tour the children receive a Captain’s diploma. These cruises run up to twice a day in the spring and summer. 

Longer cruises beyond central Paris

Longer cruises go deep into the heart of Normandy

Of course the Seine is one of France’s longest rivers, so if you want to explore it more, you can take a multi-day cruise, lasting 3-7 nights. These tours start in Paris and head for Honfleur in Normandy, the mouth of the river, or eastward towards Melun. The highlights of these tours are stops at Château de Fontainebleau, Napoleon’s favourite residence, and the historic city of Rouen, home to majestic medieval architecture. 

Themed and speciality cruises

If you fancy one of these longer cruises, you can tailor your tour around your own interests, such as history, art or food and drink. These are a wonderful thing to do on the Seine in the spring. Companies like Riviera Travel offer multi-day Seine cruises taking in places of artistic importance, such as Monet’s house and garden at Giverny, or a ‘Taste of Normandy’ tour stopping off at vineyards and châteaux to taste the local wines, cider and cheeses. 

Practical information for your Seine cruise

All aboard at Pont Neuf!

Seine cruise operators

The most well known Seine river cruise boat company is Bateaux-Mouches®. Their fleet of boats can carry 100 to 1000 passengers, and depart from the Port de la Conférence, near the Pont de L’Alma on the Right Bank. Batobus is the operator of the only hop on, hop off service on the Seine – there are 9 places where you can board, all at the famous landmark locations. Riviera Travel offer multi-day gastronomy, history and seasonal Christmas cruises of the wider Seine valley. 

Where do Seine river cruises depart from?

Each cruise operator has its own departure hub along the river in Paris. Pont Neuf, Port de la Bourdonnais (near the Eiffel Tower) and Port de la Conférence are the main locations from which boats leave and conclude their journeys. 

From April to October there are more departures per day than during the winter months, but in the Christmas and New Year holiday season cruises usually return to a summer schedule. 

How long do cruises usually last?

The traditional sightseeing cruises without any special add-ons usually take just over an hour. Lunchtime restaurant cruises might take 1 ½ to 2 hours, while dinner cruises will usually take 2-3 hours. 

How to book tickets for a Paris river cruise

You can book all the Paris sightseeing river cruises on the day, although you may have to queue to board at peak times. You can also book in advance online, usually with a discount on the box office price. The multi-day Seine cruises, like those offered by Riviera Travel, must be booked in advance. 

Pont Alexandre III is one of the most spectacular sights on a night cruise

Combine your cruise with other springtime activities in Paris

Paris in the springtime – what’s not to love? There is cherry blossom on the trees and the boulevards throng once again with café culture. Here are some of the other essential things to do in Paris at this time of year:

• See the Mona Lisa at the Louvre
• Stroll down the Champs-Élysées
• Browse the bookstalls on the banks of the Seine 
• Climb the 284 steps to the top of the Arc de Triomphe 
• Visit the newly restored Notre Dame cathedral 
• Take in the colours and scents of the Jardin des Tuileries

Plan your springtime Seine cruise today

Start planning your Seine river cruise and springtime break in Paris by booking with LeShuttle! Our crossings from Folkestone to Calais only take 35 minutes, and Paris is then just 3 ½ hours drive away.