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
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 a gourmet dinner.
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... From €70-120. This amount will be increased depending on the number of courses and the length of the cruise.
- Duration... From 2 h. to 3:30 h. Starts at around 20:30-21:30 h.
- What's included... A cruise on the Seine and a three-course gourmet dinner with wine and champagne pairing.
- Languages... Available in English, French and Spanish.
2. The most popular option, night tour of the Eiffel Tower and cruise on the Seine River
One of the most popular options for travellers is a night cruise on the Seine and tickets to the Eiffel Tower, which combines 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 throughout the tour. 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 85€.
- 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.
3. The sweetest option, cruise on the Seine and crepes tasting
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. The tour is for a total of 15 passengers and is also one of the cheapest options, with a price starting at €20. 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 €20.
- Duration... 75 minutes (60 minutes of cruise on the Seine).
- What's included... Seine river cruise and crepe tasting.
4. The most romantic option, a dinner cruise on Valentine's Day
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 you listen to live music.
Along the way you will be able to see the most emblematic monuments of the city such as the Eiffel Tower, the Alexander III Bridge, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, the Musée d'Orsay...
- Price... From 170€.
- Duration... 3:30 hours.
- What's included... Cruise on the Seine and five-course dinner on Valentine's Day.
5. A unique option, a New Year's Eve sightseeing cruise on the Seine River
What better way to start New Year's Eve and welcome in the New Year than with a sightseeing cruise on the Seine. 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.
6. The option for wine enthusiasts, a cruise on the Seine with a sommelier
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.
7. A dream experience, a cruise on the Seine and a show at the Moulin Rouge
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 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 the Mouling Rouge.
8. The economic option, 70 minutes cruise on the Seine with sparkling wine tasting
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 takes you past the main sites on the banks of the Seine and gives you the chance 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 €25.
- Duration... 70 minutes.
- What's included... Seine river cruise and sparkling wine tasting.
How much does an evening cruise in Paris cost?
A night cruise on the Seine River in Paris costs from 20€ to 170€ 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 day and evening cruise is minimal, as before sunset it can be done from €18 and beyond for €20.
What are the must-see attractions on an evening cruise in Paris?
When you take your night cruise on the Seine River in Paris, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular illumination of emblematic monuments such as 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 National Library of France, among others.
Why is it advisable to take a night cruise in Paris?
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 sites 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 going on 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 a day cruise and a night 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. Regarding the route, there is no difference between the day cruise and the night cruise.