Leaning on the railing of a Paris bridge, you may have already dreamed of watching a boat pass by, of sailing yourself at the helm of your own boat. To cross the Capital, or more precisely its avenue most probably the most steeped in history… The Seine!!
Your private and unusual cruise in Paris
Besides, is this even possible, as an individual?
Well yes !
Everyone can treat themselves to the luxury and joy of an unusual and at least atypical activity in a city which has been built and developed for centuries along the banks of its river. We also sometimes lived ON the Seine in Paris since the bridges of the Middle Ages also accommodated homes and businesses (you may remember Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, the ruthless hero of the novel Perfume by Patrick Süskind who learns his job in a shop located… ON the Pont au change).
Chance or coincidence: the oldest bridge in Paris – the Pont-Neuf of course – was the first of its time to be solely dedicated to traffic. It would be dishonest not to point out that it was also the first Parisian bridge entirely made of stone, which also explains its longevity.
But to return to our boats, know that to explore the Seine in Paris, you will need one with a motor! Forget your pedal boat, the kayak or even the superb 25 meter long sailboat of your American uncle…
In Paris, except in exceptional cases such as the Paris Triathlon, the swimming event of which took place in the Seine in 2012 (yes, I assure you), it is also strictly forbidden to swim. So we will do pleasure boating – or transporting goods but that’s another subject – with motorboats!
To pilot, you obviously need a license: the inland waters option pleasure craft license (as opposed to the coastal option, to sail near the coast at sea)! You can already practice the theoretical part on this site: boat license tests
And legally, that’s actually it. A motorboat less than 20 meters long, and the license that goes with it…
And for you the dream aperitif with friends in the shade of the glass roof of the Grand Palais, the tourist tour of the Paris of International Exhibitions at the Pont Alexandre III with the German correspondent of the youngest who is entering high school next year , the romantic walk around a flute of Champagne while kissing after admiring the incredible architecture behind the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris or even toasting the health of the bride and groom in front of the Eiffel Tower at the moment when it lights up during an extraordinary hen or stag party…
So many small and big occasions that you could also experience with a free mind by entrusting us with the organization of your private and tailor-made cruise on the Seine in Paris. A unique and atypical activity aboard the My Paris River 1, in a warm and intimate setting, conducive to relaxation and conviviality. Our skipper, English or Spanish speaking according to your needs, will be happy to make you experience rare moments.
Because to sail in Paris, you will also have to comply with a certain number of specific rules which we will cover in a second part of our file: Boating in Paris.
