Paris river cruises
The Bateaux-Mouches (Paris river boat cruises) are a very popular way to see the city while on vacation.
Because Paris has grown up around the Seine, so many of its most famous and historically significant landmarks are by the river.
For example, on a typical cruise down the Paris river Seine, you will see the following: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Hotel de Ville, the Musee D’Orsay, Palais de Chaillot and many more.
What are “Bateaux-Mouches”?
Bateaux-Mouches is the colloquial name given to the tourist boats that cruise down the Paris river, but it’s actually the name of just one company. However, the term is used to describe not just the Compagnie des Bateaux-Mouches, but also the Bateaux Parisiens, the Vedettes de Paris and the other river tour companies.
(in case you were wondering, “bateaux” means “boats” and “Mouche” refers to the part of Lyon where the original boats were built)
What You’ll See On Your Trip
These days, the boats usually don’t have live guides, instead there is an audio track that is synchronised to the movement of the boat and provides commentary on the passing sights in a number of different languages.
No matter which cruise company you choose, you’ll get to see pretty much the same things.
(but, as boats leave from different points, you see the monuments in a different order)
But, assuming you are heading from east to west starting at Ile Saint-Louis - so the Rive Gauche (the “left bank”) is on your left and the Rive Droite on your right - here are a few things to look out for: (in order)
Ile de la Cite (including Notre Dame): this one island in the middle of the Seine used to be the whole of the city of Paris.
Pont Neuf: meaning ”new bridge”, Pont Neuf is actually the city’s oldest standing bridge. It dates back to 1578 and was the first Paris bridge built with stone which is why it’s still standing and the other bridges burned down! On the bridge is a green statue of Henry IV that stands over the Square du Vert-Galant (”Vert Gallant” was Henry’s nickname).
Further west, you’ll see the Louvre (Rive Droite) and, shortly after, the Musee D’Orsay (Rive Gauche).
As you continue your cruise through Paris on a river boat, you are moving further away from the Ile de la Cite and towards more modern parts of Paris, but before long, your boat will turn a corner and you'll be greeted by spectacular views of the Eiffel Tower and, opposite, Trocadero.
Depending on the company, your cruise may continue as far west as the Statue of Liberty at the Pont de Grenelle.
Which Paris River Cruise Should You Pick?
The tour companies tend to be much of a muchness, so it shouldn’t make much of a difference.
Personally, I’ve usually stuck with tradition and used the Compagnie des Bateaux-Mouches, who leave from near Pont de l'Alma (Metro Alma-Marceau).
Other good alternatives are the Bateaux Parisiens and the Vedettes de Paris, which both leave from near Pont d’Iena (next to the Eiffel Tower) and the Vedettes du Pont-Neuf, which departs from, unsurprisingly, Pont Neuf.