Seine river cruise with music, history, and dinner on board
In Paris in the 18th and 19th centuries, Parisians left the city to drink, eat, and dance in “guinguettes,” outdoor venues along the edge of the Seine river, where wine was cheap and music was heard long into the night.
People still flock to the Seine for music and dance, especially now to the Seine Musicale, a new state-of-the-art music venue on the Seguin island in the middle of the Seine in the western suburbs of the city. (If you visit the Seine Musicale, be sure to check out the solar “sail” of 470 solar panels that pivots on rails to follow the sun as it crosses over Paris.)
Tempted by the idea of your very own musical adventure on the Seine? Many tour operators run river cruises throughout the year. But on a private cruise with My Paris River, you can plug your favorite songs into our sound system to set the perfect atmosphere for your moment in Paris.
And if you opt for an enhanced cruise, we can arrange live music as well as champagne and food platters from our catering partners.
To explore our full range of cruises, click the link below.
The Seine in Paris today
The Seine is one of the famous rivers of the world, having featured in Viking invasions, James Bond movies, and Olympic ceremonies. It snakes its way some 485 miles from its origin in Burgundy to the Normandy coast. Its banks feature some of the most iconic sights of French culture, including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
The Seine remains one of the top destinations in the French landscape. It runs right through the city from east to west, and if you take a river cruise you will get some of the best views of the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, and the other monuments of Paris, as well as guided commentary on the history behind the city.
Want to know more about our cruises on the Seine? It’s all right here.
Best time for a river cruise on the Seine
There are a few factors that will determine the best time for you to tour the Seine. Here’s a breakdown of the main things to keep in mind.
H3 – Best time of year
The best time of year for a river cruise on the Seine depends entirely on what you’re after. For guaranteed good weather, summer is the obvious choice for your tour on the Seine. Just remember that summer can also bring high heat and hordes of tourists.
Winter can be a good time for a Seine cruise as the crowds are quieter and there are no heatwaves to contend with. But there’s a higher chance of cold or wet weather. Even though cruise operators have special awnings or indoor spaces to stay warm and dry, a gray day is unlikely to give you the best views of the city.
Autumn and spring are a little unpredictable weatherwise. But the crowds aren’t busy, a warm day is heaven, and spring and autumn bring their own energy and color to the city.
Best time of the day
As for the best time of day for a Seine cruise, day cruises give you good views and work nicely with little ones who have early bedtimes. Night cruises are great for parties and romantic cruises for couples.
But in our opinion, nothing quite beats a sunset cruise. You can still take in the details of the monuments that line the banks of the river in the evening light. But you also have the sunset on the horizon and the Eiffel Tower lighting up at the end of the day, both of which add their own special atmosphere to the experience.
If you’d like our top tips on the best time of day to book your cruise, let us know.
How long should you book your Seine cruise for?
This hinges on what you like and who you’re taking with you on your cruise.
At My Paris River, our standard cruises run from 1 hour to 2 hours. A shorter duration, for example a 1-hour cruise, is better if you’re touring the Seine with kids, giving you just long enough to savor the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame Cathedral and other top monuments in Paris without pushing little ones beyond the limits of patience. Go for a longer duration if you want ample time to soak up the atmosphere and experience of a tour through the heart of the French capital. This duration is best for couples or groups who are in Paris to party and have fun.
Just so you know, My Paris River offers you the option to customize your Seine cruise, including the duration. If you have a particular duration in mind, contact us and let us know what you need.
Pair your favorite music with dinner on the Seine
Good songs, good company, and breathtaking surroundings can put you in the mood to let your hair down with a glass of wine or champagne. Which is perfect, because you can bring drinks and food on our boats to enjoy during your cruise. Or we can arrange with our caterer to have wine, champagne, or food waiting for you on board when you arrive at your departure point. It’s entirely up to you.
You can even go one step further and add a full dinner served on board to make the occasion really special. A dinner cruise pairs perfectly with sunset over the city. It has huge romantic potential for couples looking to create an unforgettable moment. But dinner — with or without wine and champagne — also comes in handy for keeping little tummies fed. Because nothing tests a child’s patience more than hunger. 😅
To find out about dinner options on board our river cruises, contact us.
How much do Seine cruise tickets cost, and how to book?
The price of a Seine cruise depends on the duration, itinerary through Paris, number of passengers, and optional extras like wine, champagne, or dinner. Fill in this form for an exact quotation.
Whatever cruise you take, just know that all our day and night cruises include top sights like the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
To book tickets for a Seine river cruise, simply go to your chosen operator’s website and make your booking online. Check postponement and cancellation policies carefully. You want some flexibility with your cruise booking so you can adapt to whatever unforeseen circumstances a vacation in Paris can throw at you — including bad weather.
At My Paris River, you can postpone a cruise if you warn us 48 hours in advance or cancel it and receive a full refund if you warn us 96 hours ahead of time. To book a Seine cruise with My Paris River, fill out the form on our contact page. To keep exploring our cruises, follow the link below.
