Finding the best Seine river cruise for families
Are you about to travel to Paris, France? Are you looking for fun ways to explore the city with your kids? A boat tour may be just the thing. It is suitable for children and adults alike. It’s the perfect way to discover (or rediscover) the main sights of Paris as you take in a panoramic view of the city. And it guarantees an unforgettable day out for you and your loved ones.
Read on for details and get ready to book the best Seine river cruise for families. All aboard!
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Choosing the right itinerary for your family cruise
Before booking a Seine river cruise for your family, always compare the itinerary of each tour company. Some companies offer short sightseeing tours that focus on just a few of Paris’s iconic monuments. The classics are the Eiffel Tower, Orsay Museum, and Louvre Museum. Other tours offer longer cruises that take you right from one end of the city to the other. On these, you can take in all the sights on or near the banks of the Seine. This includes the three classics mentioned above, but also the Statue of Liberty, Notre Dame Cathedral, Île de la Cité, and Bibliothèque Nationale de France.
Obviously, your choice depends on what you want to see. And do remember to include sights that are likely to interest your children. For their sake—and yours!
How long is a Seine river cruise for families?
This depends on how long you want to spend on the water. Some cruises last an hour or an hour and a half, which is just enough time for a quick tour of the city. These short cruises leave you the rest of the day to go wandering, visit other monuments, take in a museum, or savor a delicious meal in a restaurant. (By the way, there are plenty of these to choose from, whether you fancy French, Mediterranean, or ethnic cuisine.)
If you’d prefer to take your time on the river, however, go for tours that last a few hours. Some of these give you more time at each stop. Others take you to more stops along the way.
Either way, you’ve got a range of options to suit your needs. Do factor your children into the equation, though. If their limit is 1 hour, respect that and go for the shorter sightseeing cruises. Better an hour of fun than two of frazzled nerves.
Picking the right boat for the best Seine river cruise for families
Another key to choosing the best Seine river cruise for families is to pick the right boat. There are plenty of boats to choose from, including bateaux mouches, vedettes, and pontoons.
The bateaux mouches are among the most emblematic tourist attractions of Paris. These large boats give you a panoramic view of the main sights of the city as well as options for dinner tours. A tour on a bateau mouche should be well within most people’s budgets. Vedettes, on the other hand, offer extras like live-guided tours, pre-dinner drinks, and (sometimes) activities or special events.
Pontoons are different in that they’re all about comfort. These small boats accommodate a limited number of passengers and are perfect for private cruises. Private tours are the way to go if you’re looking for something quieter and more intimate. This is especially true during the busiest days of the peak tourist season. With a private cruise, you get an unforgettable experience in the sole company of those you love most.
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Dining, parties, and other events
Planning to surprise your kid with a birthday party on a private boat? Organizing a dinner cruise for your family? Looking to take in the Parisian skyline as the sun sets over the Seine? You’re in luck! There’s a river cruise to suit every occasion.
At My Paris River, we do everything we can to adapt our services to your needs. Whether it’s a birthday party, a sunset or night cruise, or a live-guided visit of the old city, choose whichever cruise takes your fancy!
Discovering the true history of Paris with a live-guided tour
Get the stories behind the City of Light. Broaden your knowledge of the monuments and history of the French capital. Give your children a fun, educational experience. Or do all three at once. No matter what you’re after, nothing beats a private river cruise with the guided commentary of an experienced, bilingual skipper.
With a live-guided tour, you get to interact directly with your skipper. So if you or your children have questions, fire away! Our skipper has all the answers and can tailor information to the age and interests of children and adults alike.
Don’t miss this chance to learn from a local skipper and the fun-loving crew at My Paris River during your private cruise through the heart of Paris.
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FAQs about the best Seine river cruise for families
Still have questions you’d like to ask before booking a family tour on the Seine? Have a scroll through the FAQs below. For anything else, get in touch with our team.
Is there an age limit for children?
Before booking a river cruise for your family with a tour company, check for age limits. You want to make sure that your kids can join you on your tour through the city. There are no age limits on our cruises at My Paris River. We accommodate children of all ages and make them as safe and comfortable as they can be. Please be aware, however, that children must be accompanied and supervised by adults.
How much does a ticket cost?
The price of a Seine river cruise for a family depends on the type of boat, itinerary, duration, departure point, and extras. Prices range from under 50 euros a head for a spot on a large cruise to a few hundred euros per person.
At My Paris River, our boat cruises vary in price between €60 and €100 per person. Again, this will depend on the duration, itinerary, departure point, and number of passengers. If you want to know more about our prices, contact us directly.
How do you book tickets for family cruises?
You can book your boat tour tickets directly online with several companies, including My Paris River. To book directly with us, complete this contact form. You will be put in touch with our team, who‘ll send you a quotation based on your needs. Your tickets arrive right after your order has been processed. And after that? Simply relax and enjoy your private family cruise down the Seine!
