The 8 best night cruises on the Seine in Paris

Seeing the illumination of the "City of Light" from a night cruise on the Seine is a unique experience not to be missed. Here are the best options
The 8 best night cruises on the Seine in Paris

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One of the plans you can't miss on your trip to Paris is a night cruise, a unique way to see the City of Light. From a bateaux cruising along the Seine River, you'll have a spectacular view of some of the city's most emblematic monuments.

Here are some of the main options. Paris by night is a unique city.

1. The best plan to end the day: a cruise on the Seine with gourmet dinner.

Diamant Bleu Night Cruise| ©ukubaby
Diamant Bleu Night Cruise| ©ukubaby

What better way to end a long day of sightseeing than with a cruise on the Seine and a gourmet dinner while listening to live music. A magical and romantic evening you will never forget.

Throughout the tour you will be able to contemplate the beautiful illumination of emblematic monuments such as Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, the Musée d'Orsay, the Île de la Cité, the Alexander III Bridge, the Palais Bourbon, La Conciergerie, the National Library of France and other sites of this city declared a World Heritage Site.

You will also be treated to a glass of champagne, and the three-, four- or five-course tasting menu will be accompanied by French wine and mineral water.

  • Price... Around €20. This amount will be increased depending on the number of courses and the length of the cruise.
  • Duration... 2:15 h.
  • What's included... Cruise on the Seine and gourmet dinner from three courses with wine pairing and glass of champagne.
  • Languages... Available in English, French and Spanish.

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2. The most popular option, night tour of the Eiffel Tower and cruise on the Seine River

Seine River and Paris| ©jlfaurie
Seine River and Paris| ©jlfaurie

One of the most popular options for travellers is a night cruise on the Seine River and tickets to the Eiffel Tower, combining the two most sought-after experiences in Paris. Undoubtedly, two of the best ways to glimpse all the beauty of the city from sunset onwards, when, little by little, a spectacular illumination begins to appear.

The Louvre Museum, the Musée d'Orsay, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower are some of the most characteristic monuments you can see on this cruise, on which a guide will accompany you and offer you all kinds of details along the way. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy a glass of champagne on the cruise. The tour will end at the Eiffel monument which you can access comfortably and without queues.

If you want more information about this combined tour, read the post Eiffel Tower plus Seine cruise.

  • Price... From 26 €.
  • Duration... 2:30 h. The cruise lasts approximately one hour and the visit to the Eiffel Tower another hour, so the whole experience lasts up to two and a half hours.
  • What's included... Cruise on the Seine, visit to the Eiffel Tower, glass of champagne.

Book a Seine cruise and tickets for the Eiffel Tower

3. The sweetest option, cruise on the Seine and crepes tasting

Seine Cruise by night| ©Bateaux
Seine Cruise by night| ©Bateaux

And for those with a sweet tooth, there is an unbeatable plan: a cruise on the Seine plus a tasting of a delicious crepe with chocolate, lemon, sugar, whipped cream or jam. A way to delve into the history of this beautiful city and see some of its most emblematic monuments such as the Musée d'Orsay, the Louvre Museum and Notre-Dame Cathedral, while enjoying one of the most popular sweets in French gastronomy.

In this option, you will be provided with an audio guide. It will seat a total of 15 passengers and is also one of the most economical options, with a price starting at 22 €. And if you still have an itch to delve into the forbidding world of crepes, check out the post The best creperies in Paris. You'll love it!

  • Price... From €22.
  • Duration... 75 minutes (60 minutes cruise on the Seine).
  • What's included... Seine river cruise and crepe tasting.

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4. The most romantic option, a dinner cruise on Valentine's Day

Cruise Day| ©jlfaurie
Cruise Day| ©jlfaurie

What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than in the "City of Love". February 14th is the date chosen for this much sought-after proposal that includes a cruise on the Seine with a delicious five-course dinner prepared by the chefs of the bateaux parisiens while listening to live music.

Along the way you will be able to admire the most emblematic monuments of the city such as the Eiffel Tower, the Alexander III Bridge, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, the Orsay Museum...

  • Price... From 170 €.
  • Duration... 3:30 hours.
  • What's included... Cruise on the Seine and five-course dinner on Valentine's Day.

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5. A unique option, a New Year's Eve sightseeing cruise on the Seine River

Cruise on the Seine River| ©Ana Villar
Cruise on the Seine River| ©Ana Villar

What better way to start New Year's Eve and welcome in the New Year than with a sightseeing cruise on the Seine River. This experience starts at 10pm and you'll have the opportunity to enjoy a pleasant cruise on a glass-enclosed boat with unique views of Paris and a festive box including half a bottle, festive items and four macaroons.

You'll be able to see the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, the Musée d'Orsay, the Institut de France, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the City Hall, La Conciergerie, the Louvre Museum, the Obelisk, the Grand Palais and the Eiffel Tower.

  • Price... From 75 €.
  • Duration... 2 hours.
  • What's included... Seine river cruise and festive box.

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6. The option for oenology lovers, a cruise on the Seine with a sommelier

Cruise with La Marina de Paris| ©Bateau
Cruise with La Marina de Paris| ©Bateau

And if you are a champagne lover, you have the option of taking a cruise of approximately one hour with a tasting of three types of champagne with a sommelier who will give you all kinds of details in English about the three tastings and will talk to you about the different French wineries, the types of champagne...

All this while you enjoy a beautiful tour in which you will see key monuments such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, the Grand Palais de Paris or the Musée d'Orsay. This tour has a capacity for approximately 20 passengers.

  • Price... From €65.
  • Duration... 1 hour.
  • What's included... Cruise on the Seine with a sommelier and three champagne tastings.

Book a cruise in Paris

7. A dream experience, a cruise on the Seine and a show at the Moulin Rouge

Moulin Rouge| ©Vadin Sadovski
Moulin Rouge| ©Vadin Sadovski

And the star experience is a combined ticket to enjoy a cruise on the Seine River and a show at the Moulin Rouge. Yes, just as you are reading.

The plan will begin with a tour of the Seine, lasting about an hour, during which you will be given an audio guide and you will be able to see emblematic monuments such as Notre-Dame Cathedral, the National Assembly, the Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower and the Musée d'Orsay.

Once the cruise is over, the other highlight of the tour is the chance to attend a two-hour cabaret show while enjoying a glass of champagne. Entitled 'Féerie', the show brings a hundred performers on stage, 60 of whom are the Doriss Girls. Don't hesitate to read the post about the show at the Moulin Rouge in Paris and find out all the details.

  • Price... From 170 €.
  • Duration... 5 hours.
  • What's included... Seine River cruise and cabaret show at Mouling Rouge.

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8. The economical option, cruise on the Seine with wine tasting

Seine cruise via Île de France| ©Joe deSousa
Seine cruise via Île de France| ©Joe deSousa

An economical option is a cruise on the Seine for about 70 minutes with a sparkling wine tasting with a multilingual guide who will show you the most important sights of the city.

Although shorter, this cruise will take you past the main sites on the banks of the Seine and you will have the opportunity to enjoy views of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, the Musée d'Orsay, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Île de la Cité.

Moreover, one of the advantages of this tour is its availability, as it departs every 30-45 minutes, so you won't have any inconvenience when booking it. It has a capacity for 14 people.

  • Price... From 33 €.
  • Duration... 70 minutes.
  • What's included... Seine river cruise and sparkling wine tasting.

Book a cruise in Paris

Seine sunset cruises: the perfect in-between option

Seine sunset cruises are a perfect option for those who want to enjoy a unique experience in Paris, as they allow you to admire the transition of light as the sun sets behind the most emblematic monuments, such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame and the Louvre. A magical atmosphere that delights all those who have the opportunity to experience it. So, don't hesitate, book a Paris cruise.

However, when planning, it is advisable to consider the time of sunset depending on the time of year:

  • In spring and summer, the sunsets are later and allow you to enjoy a longer walk, a prolonged experience, ideal for those looking for a relaxed plan.
  • In autumn and winter, as the days are shorter, the sunsets occur earlier and the cruises are shorter, but equally impressive, with their orange and pink tones.

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How much does an evening cruise in Paris cost?

Family cruise| ©Davequ
Family cruise| ©Davequ

An evening cruise on the Seine River in Paris costs from 17 € to 360 € depending on whether it includes dinner, a glass of champagne, wine tasting or crepe, whether it is sold as a combined ticket next to the Eiffel Tower or a Moulin Rouge show, or whether it takes place on a special date such as Valentine's Day or New Year's Eve. There are different options to suit all tastes and budgets.

In the case of the standard cruise, the price difference between the daytime and evening cruise is minimal, as before sunset it can be done from €18 and beyond for €20.

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What are the must-see attractions on an evening cruise in Paris?

Cruise with Bateaux Parisiens| ©Jainbow
Cruise with Bateaux Parisiens| ©Jainbow

When you take your night cruise on the Seine River in Paris, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular illumination of emblematic monuments such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, the Musée d'Orsay, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Île de la Cité, the Pont Alexandre III, the Palais Bourbon, the Conciergerie and the National Library of France, among others.

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Why is it advisable to take a night cruise in Paris?

Pont Alexandre III, Paris| ©Léonard Cotte
Pont Alexandre III, Paris| ©Léonard Cotte

Taking a night cruise on the Seine River in Paris is one of the most recommended experiences during your visit to the City of Light. The beauty of Paris at night is incomparable: its main monuments and most special places are illuminated and you'll have the sensation of seeing a different city to the one you've seen during the day, especially if you have the chance to see it from one of the bateaux parisiens. A unique sight!

If after this night cruise on the Seine you feel like taking a daytime cruise, don't hesitate to read the post Seine cruises where you'll find the best options. On the other hand, I also recommend the posts what to see and do in Paris and the 10 best excursions so you can find other alternatives for your trip. And so that you can enjoy your trip to the fullest and without mishaps, it is very important that you know how to get around Paris

Differences between a day cruise and an evening cruise in Paris

The main difference between booking a daytime cruise and an evening cruise on the Seine is that it is more impressive to enjoy this experience from sunset onwards, as the image of the city of Paris from the banks of the Seine as night falls and the lights of the city open up is truly unique. On the other hand, the night cruise option usually includes an additional service such as a glass of champagne.

However, the price is lower for the daytime cruise, although the difference is minimal, as it can be booked from €18, while the cheapest option for the night cruise starts at €20. There is no difference between the day cruise and the night cruise.

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Frequently asked questions

  • Is it possible to combine a Seine cruise with another proposal?

    Yes, you can live a dream experience: enjoy a cruise on the river Seine and a show at the Moulin Rouge.

  • What are the most popular days of the year for a cruise on the Seine?

    Valentine's Day and New Year's Eve are two of the most popular days of the year.

  • What are the main differences between a day cruise and an evening cruise in Paris?

    The main difference between a daytime cruise and an evening cruise on the Seine is that it is more impressive to enjoy this experience from sunset onwards, as the image of the city of Paris from the banks of the Seine as night falls and the lights of the city open up is truly unique.

  • Which monuments will you see on your Seine cruise?

    You will have the opportunity to admire the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, the Musée d'Orsay, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Île de la Cité, the Pont Alexandre III, the Palais Bourbon, the Conciergerie and the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, among others.

Reviews from other travellers

4.6
· 89 Reviews
  • I
    I. K.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    The experience of sailing and seeing Paris from another perspective was unique, although I think they would improve a lot by adding more timetable options for the cruise.
  • Z
    Z. Q.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    I thoroughly enjoyed the boat ride, the views of Paris from the river are breathtaking, highly recommended!
  • T
    T. G.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    I loved this river walk, I saw Paris from a unique perspective. The last time I went, I didn't do something like this and I really recommend it.
  • A
    A. X.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    The boat ride was the best, we saw Paris at night and it sparkled beautifully. Highly recommended, don't miss it.
  • L
    L.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    An unforgettable experience cruising along the Seine, dining with a view of the Eiffel Tower and ending the evening with the dazzling spectacle of the Moulin Rouge - simply magical!