Our comparison of the best Seine river cruise companies in Paris
A private cruise on the Seine is one of the most spectacular ways to go sightseeing in Paris. But if you type “private cruise Paris” into your search engine, you’ll be faced with the dilemma — which cruise company to choose?
Well, you can immediately cross out the Bateaux Mouches and other big tourist boats. Although cheap, these are not the private cruise experience you’re after. Not unless jostling through crowds of tourists is your idea of an unforgettable experience. 🤨
No, when we say “private”, we mean a river cruise where it’s just you, the river, your captain, and the breathtaking sights of the city of Paris.
To help you choose the right private cruise for you, we’ve put together a comparison of the best Seine river cruise companies in Paris, with a breakdown of the boats, itineraries, prices and catering options they offer.
Keep reading to find out which cruise company is right for you.
Green River Paris
Boats: Pontoon, electric, and luxury boats.
Capacity: 12 people for the pontoon and luxury boats. Between 8 and 12 for the luxury boats.
Duration: 60, 90, 120, and 150 minutes.
Itinerary: 4 departure points, 2 in central Paris and 2 outside of the city.
Price: From €75 to €90 per person (if there are at least 6 passengers).
Perfect for: Travelers looking to enjoy the waterways of Paris and the surrounding countryside on a variety of boats, including electric boats.
Customization: Custom quotations are possible.
Food and drinks: Wine or champagne included. You can also bring your own food onboard.
Kid-friendly: No information on the website.
Wheelchair accessible: Yes.
Le Bateau Français
Boats: 2 luxury boats in teak and mahogany with outdoor seating areas and an enclosed cabin. 1 open-air speedboat.
Capacity: 10 passengers on the 2 enclosed cabin boats. 6 passengers on the speedboat.
Duration: 90 minutes.
Itinerary: From the Statue of Liberty to the Jardin des Plantes.
Price: €1100 on the enclosed cabin boats (for up to 10 passengers), €900 on the speedboat.
Perfect for: Couples, families, and groups looking for a short open-air cruise to savor the main sights of Paris with the option of a heated enclosed cabin if the weather is bad.
Customization: 4 embarkation points available. Optional extras including live music, catering, and decoration may also be ordered. These cruises are also suitable for photo shoots, filming, and interviews.
Food and drinks: The price includes complimentary champagne, wine, or non-alcoholic drinks (depends on the cruise). Other catering options are available on request. Passengers cannot bring their own food and drinks onboard.
Kid-friendly: Yes.
Wheelchair accessible: Not all areas and facilities of the vessel are accessible to disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility.
Boat in Paris
Boats: 2 boats.
Capacity: 2 to 6 passengers or 2 to 12 passengers, depending on the boat.
Duration: 90 minutes.
Itinerary: From the Statue of Liberty to the Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand.
Price: From €82 per person for a boat of 6 passengers maximum or €65 per person for a boat of 12. Price includes wine, macarons and live commentary.
Perfect for: Couples, families, and groups of up to 12 people looking for a short open-air cruise to savor the main sights of Paris.
Customization: This operator runs cruises at set times and to a set itinerary.
Food and drinks: The cruise includes chilled rosé wine and macarons. Catering options are available on request. Passengers can also bring their own food and drinks onboard.
Kid-friendly: Yes.
Wheelchair accessible: Not listed as wheelchair accessible.
River Limousine
Boats: Exclusive craft handbuilt in Venice, Italy.
Capacity: No official information is available on the website.
Duration: 75 minutes.
Itinerary: From the Eiffel Tower to Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Price: €850 with complimentary champagne.
Perfect for: Travelers who want absolute luxury when it comes to the boat they cruise in. This operator is perfect for couples and corporate outings, although kids are welcome. The option to stay in a fully enclosed heated space makes River Limousine a safe bet in winter.
Customization: Available on request. You can book a cruise with this operator at any time of the day, any day of the week.
Food and drinks: A bottle of Louis Roederer champagne. Non-alcoholic drinks are also available from the minibar.
Kid-friendly: Yes, but more suited to adults.
Wheelchair accessible: Not listed as wheelchair accessible.
Quai de la Photo
Boats: A variety of small rivercraft, including hybrid and electric boats.
Capacity: 4 to 12 people, depending on the boat.
Duration: 50 minutes or 90 minutes.
Itinerary: From Pont de Bercy to Notre-Dame Cathedral (50 mins) or the Eiffel Tower (90 mins).
Price: From €32.50 per person for the 50-minute cruise or €53 for the 90-minute cruise.
Perfect for: Travelers who want a quiet electric boat or a range of boats to choose from to accommodate different size groups.
Customization: It is possible to customize the start and finish points at an additional cost.
Food and drinks: Prosecco and focaccia included in both cruises. You can bring food onboard if you purchase it from the operator.
Kid-friendly: Yes.
Wheelchair accessible: The art centre is fully wheelchair accessible. Contact the company directly to check whether its river cruises are also wheelchair accessible.
My Paris River
Boats: 4 pontoon boats plus a Hacker Craft, Rapsody 29 and Venetian Tender.
Capacity: 1 to 12 people on the pontoon boats. 5, 8, or 12 on the luxury boats.
Duration: 60, 90, or 120 minutes.
Itinerary: From Pont d’Issy to the Jardin des Plantes and back. 9 other pick-up and drop-off points throughout central Paris
Price: From €65 for the 60-minute day cruise or €85 for the 120-minute cruise day if 6 passengers book. From €80 or €100 per person for 90-minute night cruises. For a cruise of 7 passengers or more, additional prices per person apply.
Perfect for: Travelers who want as much freedom as possible to plan their cruise exactly the way they want it. You can customize the duration, itinerary, catering options, photography, music and live commentary.
Customization: Extensive. Contact the operator for a custom quotation.
Food and drinks: Wine, champagne, and grazing boards are available as optional extras from catering partners.
Kid-friendly: Yes. Family tours and discounts are available.
Wheelchair accessible: Yes, the departure point at Pont d’Issy is fully wheelchair accessible.
Where to book
You can book your Paris cruise directly via the website of the cruise companies. With most private cruises, you fill in a form detailing the type of cruise you want, the day you want it on and your needs in terms of sightseeing, commentary and optional extras. Then the company gets back to you with a custom quotation.
Or you can book private river cruises through websites like Get Your Guide and Viator. These booking websites don’t have the same terms and conditions as the cruise companies themselves. Sometimes, there’s even a price difference. So once you find a river cruise on one of these large booking websites, check the local cruise company’s website to see their actual terms and conditions, especially in terms of cancellation and refunds. Their website may also give you a better offer than the large booking sites.
What to keep in mind
There are a few things you want to keep in mind before booking a sightseeing river cruise in Paris.
Have a peek at the boats the cruise companies offer. This is a private river cruise you’re organizing, so you’re entitled to expect a nice, comfy boat to enjoy the sightseeing from. And if you are treating your other half to an unforgettable romantic experience, why not go a step further and dazzle them with a James Bond-esque speedboat or a Venetian tender?
Check the capacity of the boat as well. No one wants to rock up to the quay only to find there isn’t room for everyone. (Don’t worry — good tour operators will warn you about this ahead of time.) Also check the itinerary to make sure all the big monuments you want to see are included in your sightseeing cruise. And check the duration of the cruise — too long and you get bored, but too short and you won’t have enough time to take in each monument.
And if you’re really after a special river cruise, check the level of customization available.
Two final things to consider:
- Sunset cruises are probably the most spectacular option available. If a sunset cruise fits your schedule, it’s definitely worth it.
- Weekdays are quieter on the river than weekends, and spring and autumn are quieter than summer. If you really want to feel like you have the river, and the city, to yourself, avoid the busy tourist times.
Book a Paris cruise with My Paris River
To check dates, times, itineraries, and durations and receive your custom quotation, follow the link to fill in our contact form. We’ll be back in touch with all the information you need.
