The Seine runs through the middle of Paris, and its banks are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For most visitors the river means a sightseeing cruise past Notre-Dame, the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, but the towpaths and bridges are a walk in their own right.
One-hour narrated round trips run from docks near the Eiffel Tower, Pont de l'Alma and Pont Neuf. Several operators cover much the same route.
A hop-on hop-off river boat with stops at the Eiffel Tower, Musee d'Orsay, the Louvre, Notre-Dame and the Jardin des Plantes, sold as a one or two day pass.
Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge, the ornate Pont Alexandre III, and the lower quays between the Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay make an easy riverside walk.
Cruise operators are private companies, not a single official service, and prices vary by boat and time of day. A basic sightseeing cruise is a modest fixed price; lunch and dinner cruises cost much more. Book directly with the operator you choose.
An hour on the water strings the major landmarks together and is an easy first activity when you arrive.
Late afternoon into dusk gives you the city in daylight and lit up. Summer evenings are popular, so book ahead.
The quays and bridges cost nothing. The lower walkways between Pont Neuf and the Eiffel Tower are one of the best strolls in the city.
How long is a Seine cruise?
A standard sightseeing cruise is about an hour. Meal cruises run two to three hours.
Is there one official cruise company?
No. Several private operators run similar routes. Compare departure points, timings and prices and book with the one that suits you.
Do I need to book in advance?
For a basic daytime cruise you can often turn up, but evening and meal cruises in summer should be booked ahead.
Can I just walk along the river?
Yes. The upper quays and many of the lower walkways are open and free, though sections close during high water.
The Seine flows north-west across the Paris basin and through the centre of the city, past the Ile de la Cite and the Ile Saint-Louis. The stretch of banks through central Paris was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.
Visitors know it mainly for sightseeing boats, the Batobus river shuttle and its bridges, from the plain Pont Neuf to the gilded Pont Alexandre III. The lower quays are a public promenade.
This page is an independent guide for visitors, covering any cruise operator and the City of Paris.
