Paris Seine River Sunset & Evening Champagne Cruises
Description
Don’t miss the chance to relive the magic of the Paris 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony: step onto a cruise along the Seine River, Champagne in hand, and sail past the very riverbanks where the world watched Paris shine. From the historic Pont Neuf, you’ll board a comfortable boat with an open terrace and indoor seating, then glide along the river as the sky darkens and the monuments of Paris light up one by one. With background music, cozy blankets on cooler evenings and a friendly crew, this is a relaxed, convivial experience rather than a formal guided tour. As you sail past the Île de la Cité, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, the Orsay Museum and of the Eiffel Tower, you can simply sit back, sip your glass of wine, Champagne, beer or a soft drink and enjoy the views. With a limited number of passengers on board and a central departure point that’s easy to reach by metro or on foot, this evening cruise is an effortless way to experience Paris at its most beautiful.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Start your evening at Vert-Galant Square, the tiny park at the tip of the Île de la Cité, just under Pont Neuf. From the statue of Henri IV in the middle of the bridge, walk down the stairs to the riverbank where your boat is waiting.
As you leave Pont Neuf, you circle Île de la Cité, where Paris was born. From the water you can see the medieval towers of the Conciergerie, the Courthouse and the elegant riverfront façades – like sailing around an open-air history book.
Gliding along the south bank of the island, you’ll enjoy a clear, unobstructed view of Notre-Dame Cathedral. Even under restoration, its flying buttresses and towers are one of the most powerful symbols of Paris, and the river is the perfect place for photos away from the crowds.
The cruise continues past Île Saint-Louis, lined with 17th-century mansions and calm quays. This is one of the most romantic corners of Paris: warm apartment windows, tiny balconies and reflections of the façades in the Seine.
Sailing back towards the Right Bank, you pass the ornate Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) and the lively riverside promenades. Here you really feel local life along the Seine, with people strolling, chatting and enjoying the evening by the water.
Further west, the immense façade of the Louvre stretches along the river, facing the domed French Institute on the Left Bank. Between them, the Pont des Arts footbridge offers one of the best viewpoints in Paris – from the boat you can see all three in a single glance.
On one side of the boat you’ll see the former railway station that is now the Orsay Museum; on the other, the gardens of the Tuileries and the obelisk of Place de la Concorde in the distance. This stretch feels like cruising through a postcard, especially at sunset when the sky turns pink behind the monuments.
You then pass under Pont Alexandre III, one of the most beautiful bridges in Paris with its golden statues and Art Nouveau lamps. Nearby you’ll see the glass roof of the Grand Palais and, on the Left Bank, the golden dome of Les Invalides, where Napoleon is buried.
As the boat heads further west, the Eiffel Tower comes into full view, rising above the Trocadéro and the Champ de Mars. In the evening she is lit up, and if you’re there at the right time, you’ll see her sparkling – the moment everyone waits for, with Champagne glasses raised and cameras ready.
On the way back, enjoy a final drink and a last look at Paris’s bridges and monuments reflected in the water. The cruise ends back at du Vert-Galant Square , just a short walk from the lively cafés and restaurants of the Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain, perfect to continue your evening.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- 2 cruise options: Champagne Evening Seine River & Champagne Sunset Seine River
Reviews(312)
Beautiful Paris lights and sightseeing of major Paris landmarks. Great way to see the city without all the walking
River cruise was perfect - beautiful views of the city and sunset and the Eiffel Tower sparkling. There was no narration that we could hear on the boat, but we had a map with us and could identify the sites. Get there 30 minutes early to get in line and have your choice of seats. Booked through Trip Advisor and it was very expensive compared to tickets available on site, more than twice the price. I would go again but purchase tickets directly.
The boat trip on the Seine is a great way to see Paris. We were directed to the "English" boat and I can not understand why. There was no Guide or Audio of what we were passing or pointing out the landmarks.
I would highly recommend the sunset cruise time, the lights and view of the Eiffel Tower were absolutely outstanding!
This is deffinetaly the most romantic think to do in evening once in Paris
This rating does not rate the actual cruise. Although the listing indicates that the ship is handicap accessible, the port access is NOT. Getting to the boarding area involves going down two flights of narrow steep stairs. I have a bad gait and use a cane. The stairs would be difficult for anyone. For me they were impossible.
It was such a great way to see Isris at night.
Hello, Thank you for your kind review. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the experience and that it allowed you to discover Paris by night in such a memorable way. There is something truly magical about seeing the city illuminated after sunset, with its iconic monuments and beautiful riverside views creating a unique atmosphere. We are pleased that this became a special part of your visit. We would love to welcome you again on a future experience, perhaps on a dinner cruise along the Seine or an excursion to Versailles to discover another side of France's rich heritage. Thank you again for sharing your experience, and we hope to see you again soon. Kind regards, Alice de France Tourisme
The boat is very large and there are a lot of people. There were plenty of seats and the trip up and down the river was spectacular. The Eiffel Tower is amazing at night and thus provides a beautiful view. The trip provides a unique view into Paris at night. There are lots of picture taking opportunities.
Hello Lucinda, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the cruise and the spectacular views of Paris by night. Seeing the Eiffel Tower illuminated from the Seine is truly a magical experience, and we are pleased that you were able to capture beautiful photos and enjoy the city from such a unique perspective. Paris takes on a special charm after sunset, and we are glad that this was one of the highlights of your visit. We also appreciate your comments regarding the size of the boat and the number of passengers on board. Our cruises welcome travelers from around the world, and we strive to provide a comfortable experience while allowing everyone to enjoy the exceptional views along the route. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again in the future, perhaps on a sunset Champagne cruise or an excursion to Giverny to discover another beautiful side of France. Kind regards, Alice de France Tourisme
We had a lovely time on this cruise. The only issue was the navigation of it, there are 2 boat docks at the Point Neuf bridge and the location did not specify which one to stand at. After the initial confusion, the rest of the cruise was great. We took the sunset tour and saw the beautiful scenes of Paris along the river.
Hello, Thank you for sharing your experience. We are delighted to hear that you had a lovely time on the cruise and enjoyed the beautiful views of Paris at sunset. Watching the city transform as the evening lights begin to appear is truly a special experience. We appreciate your comment regarding the departure location. We understand that the presence of multiple docks near Pont Neuf can sometimes create confusion, and your feedback is very helpful as we continue to improve the information provided to our guests before departure. We are pleased that, despite this initial difficulty, you were able to fully enjoy the cruise and the stunning scenery along the Seine. Creating memorable moments in the heart of Paris is what we strive for every day. We would love to welcome you again on a future visit, perhaps on one of our dinner cruises with Eiffel Tower views or on an excursion to Giverny to discover Monet’s famous gardens. Thank you again for your kind review, and we hope to see you again soon. Kind regards, Alice de France Tourisme
Definitely not a glass of champagne, maybe warm sparkling . Guide was good and entertaining but system not working properly as sound cut off a few times . If you dont go early , (an hour 🙄) the covered seats on the bottom are not great as you miss out on a lot of the views . Beautiful but expected more buildings lit up ( Ads are misleading .)We were stunned by the Eiffel tower, was lit up and wow ! .We still had a lovely time . If you sit on top you have a 360 view . Also important to note to get dropped off on the right side of the bridge as you cannot walk across pont neuf as there is an artist display . My husband has a disability so was very annoying as the taxi driver dropped us off on the wrong side and we had to get another cab . Arrived half an hour before and it was already full . Remember the bridges are packed with people .. rather get there 2 hours early and enjoy the area . Still worth the trip !!
Hello, Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed feedback. We are pleased to hear that you had an enjoyable evening overall and that the Eiffel Tower illumination was a memorable highlight of your experience. We also appreciate your positive comments about the guide and are glad that you found the commentary entertaining. At the same time, we are sorry to learn that the audio system experienced interruptions and that certain aspects of the cruise did not fully meet your expectations. Regarding seating, the upper deck is indeed very popular as it offers unobstructed panoramic views, and we understand your frustration if you were unable to secure your preferred spot. We also regret the difficulties you encountered getting to the departure point, particularly given your husband's mobility constraints. Your feedback concerning the sparkling wine, onboard experience, and expectations regarding the illuminated monuments is valuable and will be shared with the relevant teams as we continually work to improve our services and guest communications. We are nevertheless delighted that you found the cruise worthwhile and were able to enjoy the beauty of Paris from the Seine. We hope to welcome you again on a future visit, perhaps on our Canal Saint-Martin cruise or an excursion to Versailles, both of which offer a different and equally memorable perspective on France’s heritage. Kind regards, Alice de France Tourisme
