Skip the crowds with a private boat tour to the Eiffel Tower
When Ragnar Lodbrok led 120 Viking ships packed with 5000 warriors up the Seine in the year 845 CE, he saw it all — a bloody victory over the Frankish army, the brutal sacrifice of captured Frankish warriors, the ravages of a plague, and a colossal ransom of gold and silver from the Frankish king in exchange for peace.
One thing he did not see, however, was the Eiffel Tower. This is hardly surprising, given that this world-famous monument was not built until the 1889 World Fair — just over 1000 years after that famous Viking laid siege to Paris.
But who nowadays could imagine Paris without its iconic tower? This landmark now attracts 7 million visitors a year. Even veteran travelers will tell you, no visit to Paris is complete without a trip to the City of Light’s most famous monument.
But if you’ve heard fellow vacationers rave about the Eiffel Tower, you’ve probably also heard them warn you about the wait lines, crowds, and steep entry prices. So what if there were another way to see the city’s defining symbol?
Well, the Eiffel Tower stands right beside the Seine river. And plenty of tour companies — My Paris River included — offer river cruises that include a stop at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.
In our latest blog post, we break down:
- The surprising history behind the Eiffel Tower
- The downside to its success
- And a few reasons why boat tours are the best way to enjoy this unforgettable experience.
Mind already made up? To skip the wait lines and visit this iconic monument in style, check out our cruises.
The Eiffel Tower — from temporary exhibition to timeless landmark
For most people around the world, even the merest glimpse of the unique silhouette of the Eiffel Tower conjures up images of croissants, polo necks, and baguettes — even if these stereotypes would make most French people cringe to hear them.
But in fact, the Eiffel Tower almost never was. Many French artists opposed the project before construction began. And once the tower was built, it was only supposed to stand as a temporary exhibition for 20 years, and then be torn down.
But Gustave Eiffel, the man behind the project, was clever. He installed a scientific laboratory on the third floor where scientists could conduct experiments and added a radio antenna and a wireless telegraph transmitter which France used during World War I. By making the construction not just decorative but useful, Eiffel ensured a 70-year extension to the original 20-year lease. And by the time this extension expired in the 1980s, the people of Paris wanted their iconic landmark to stay.
A victim of its own success
Yet as any tourist guide or travel blogger will tell you, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most crowded tourist spots on the planet. In peak tourist season, allow 3 to 4 hours to get to the top, do your sightseeing, take your photos, and browse the shops and restaurants on your way down. And expect to share the tower with plenty of other tourists (and pickpockets).
Boat tours are an alternative way to take in the city’s defining symbol. Cozily ensconced on your own private boat, you can savor this unforgettable experience with no wait lines, no crowds, and an unobstructed view of the tower at whatever time suits you.
Is a private cruise more to your liking?
Advantages to visiting the Eiffel Tower by boat
A private river cruise is a great way to get up close to this world-famous monument.
If you’re traveling as a family, our 90-minute boat tours are perfect for kids. You and your family can sit back and relax on the deck of your own private boat as your local skipper maneuvers you into position opposite the tower. And unless your children enjoy standing in line for hours, this may be the ideal compromise that ensures your family gets to savor this unforgettable experience without wearing everyone’s patience thin.
And not only do boat tours let you skip the long wait lines, but they let you skip the press of tourists as well. And because you can pick your embarkation time, you can make sure — even in the busy summer months — that you get to see the sunset and the spectacular light show in the evenings. Which is perfect if you’re on a romantic getaway to the city of love.
Best of all, the Eiffel Tower isn’t the only monument you can see on a boat tour. Depending on the itinerary you choose, you can go right through the heart of the city, taking in the Hôtel de Ville, Louvre Museum, Orsay Museum, and Notre-Dame Cathedral as well as many more of Paris’s top attractions.
How to book a private boat tour to Paris’s famous landmark?
A range of companies operate boat tours on the river Seine, and many of these include the Eiffel Tower in their itinerary. But if you want to skip not just the lines but the crowds as well, a private boat tour is what you’re looking for.
You can choose from a range of private cruises with My Paris River. You can also contact us to book a custom boat tour if you have a special request in mind. But just to reassure you, all our standard tours include the Eiffel Tower as well.
Expect to pay between €60 and €100 per person for an outing with My Paris River. To give you a comparison, this is the same price as an adult ticket to the top of the Eiffel Tower with a glass of champagne. Except that if you book with us, you won’t have to stand in line for hours or hold on tight to your glass as the crowds jostle around you for the best views.
If you have your heart set on seeing the Eiffel Tower light up in the evening, just make sure to mention this when you contact us. We’ll have you there at just the right moment. You’ll find more information about our cruises and itineraries on our website.
