Paris is one of the most-loved tourist destinations in the world. People from every corner of the globe flock to the city of love by the millions year in and year out.
When you visit this glamorous city, you simply must visit the Eiffel Tower or Tour Eiffel as the French call it. Other noteworthy destinations include the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, and the Musée de Orsay.
If you are in a hurry and cannot make it to visit each site on its own, then your next best option is to get on a cruise on the Seine River.
On the cruise, you get to see all the sites from a distance and even learn about them from guides on the vessel. There is no better way of viewing Paris at a glance than with the Bateaux Parisiens cruise: quick entry ticket. Here is all you need to know about the cruise tour:
Overview
Once you board the trimaran, you will be welcomed by jovial and helpful guides eager to show the city to you. You will then proceed to view the Paris sights from onboard the vessel. As each unique site comes to view, you will learn about its history from the audio that will be availed to you.
The audios are available in thirteen different languages, including English, Chinese, Polish, Japanese, and Spanish. You can also opt to listen to the live guide in the language of your choice. Seeing the panoramic views of the city aboard the trimaran is simply an experience to remember.
The cruise lasts one hour. At the end of the hour, you will feel as though you have actually visited each and every one of the sites that were talked about during the cruise. If you, however, wish to visit some of the sites later on, you will be better able to choose which ones to prioritize based on the information shared during the cruise.
What to Expect
You will board the trimaran at the Port de la Bourdannais, found at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. The ticket grants you access to the boarding area of the vessel. Once the cruise starts, all you have to do is to put on the headset and start enjoying the exquisite views of the city. Some of the landmark sites you can expect to see on the cruise include the Museum de Louvre, City Hall, Parliament, and the Institut de France.
What’s included
The cruise is exclusively a sightseeing venture. You would be hard-pressed to find any noteworthy site in the city missing from the cruise. Besides the iconic spots such as the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum, other exquisite places included in the cruise cover Invalides, the Obelisk, the Concierge, and the Grand Palais, among others.
What’s Excluded
The cruise, however, does not include food and drinks. If you want to nibble a snack while on the cruise, then you will have to bring your own food. Souvenir photos are also not included in the package, although you can take as many photos as you desire in order to keep memories of this picturesque city intact.
What You Should Know Before You Go
- Kids below the age of four can board the cruise for free. This makes it quite suitable for families with young kids as they can save on cash.
- Smoking is strictly forbidden aboard the cruise.
- Animals are also not allowed on board.
- The trimaran is easily accessible by people on wheelchairs.
- It is possible to listen to the audio guides on your smartphone. All you have to do is connect to the cruise’s Wi-Fi, and you are good to go.
- Using Wi-Fi, you can access the audio in 14 different languages. You are simply spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing the language with which to listen to the audio guides.
- The tickets are only valid for one year at any time. It is also important to note that there are no refunds for canceled trips. Before you confirm your trip, be certain that you will make it to the meeting point at the required time.
How to Get to the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower can easily be accessed by public means. You can board the metro and alight at the Trocadéro, Bir-Hakeim, or Ecole Militaire stops, all of which is a walking distance of the Tower. Alternatively, you can also use the buses. Bus 82 and 42 stop at the Tour Eiffel stop. Bus 87, 89, and 82 stop at the Champ de Mars, which is also rather close to the tower.
When is the Best Time to Do the Tour?
The tower attracts crowds by the thousands, especially on weekends. If you really don’t have the patience, you would be better off visiting it during off-peak hours.
Arriving early in the morning, especially on weekdays, means that you will not have to deal with throngs of people all trying to get on board the vessel.
You will also be able to better enjoy your tour in peace and tranquility. Alternatively, you can also do the tour in the evening. This allows you to see the tower in all its splendor as it is lit up by a thousand lights. It is simply spectacular.
Why Go to the Tower?
Visiting Paris and failing to set foot in the Eiffel Tower is almost criminal. There is simply no other monument as impressive, exquisite and majestic as the Tour Eiffel. Atop the tower, you will be able to see stunning views of the city down below. There is an enigmatic beauty behind the tons of iron that make up this monument. It is absolutely a sight to behold and a must-visit whenever you are in the city.
Who is the Tower For?
If you are an ardent student of history, then the Tour Eiffel has plenty of ancient secrets to teach you. Roam inside the tower and learn historical lessons spanning a period of over a hundred years. Learn about the history of the tower, how it even came to be, and the renovations that have taken place over the years.
Ascending to the top of the tower can also be thrilling. At the top, you can enjoy a glass of champagne or a mouth-licking delicacy at the restaurant on the second level. The view from the top is also exhilaratingly beautiful, to say the least.
Tips
- Bring a headset so you can connect to the WI-Fi if the headset of the Cruise doesn’t work properly.
- If you are in a hurry to visit Paris’ sights, then the cruise is the way to go!
- Make sure you take some snacks or sandwiches with you!
- Be on time!
Pros
- There are numerous advantages that come with taking the tour.
- You can easily avoid the long queues by booking and confirming your ticket instantly using the mobile app.
- The staff is courteous and respectful and can prove to be a fountain of knowledge about the city.
- You get full value for your money. You can rest assured that the hour you spend on the cruise will be one of the most memorable and informative hours of your life.
Cons
- There were complaints that some of the headsets didn’t work well. This can make the cruise quite boring and uninformative.
- Canceling your tour means losing your money, which is not desirable in the least.
In Conclusion
Taking a tour of Paris on the cruise is one of the easiest ways to view more than one site in a short time. With the Bateaux Parisiens cruise, you will get full value for your money. So, don’t waste any time and book your tour now. You’ll be glad you did!
Did you do the Parisian Cruise? If so, you are welcome to share your experience in the comments below.
Daniella has been passionate about travel, the sea, and nature for many years. As a child, she frequently traveled throughout the Mediterranean and continued with her journeys throughout her adult life.
Her experiences have created the desire within her to share her love for traveling with other passionate and adventurers who want to discover beautiful horizons and new cultures.
I have been on the Rhine river cruise, and I suspect this would be just as wonderful. I did enjoy a cruise like this, but I really enjoy being able to walk around and visit up close instead of from afar. The cruises are wonderful, but it is also nice to be able to be up close. I like the idea of doing this cruise, combined with a city tour 🙂 I have lots of family in Europe, and my family is planning a trip there next year. I am going to talk them into doing something like this as well!
Hi Matt,
Yes, I understand. I also like to walk around. The tour is only an hour, so when you finished, you can definitely walk around Paris. I would highly recommend you to stroll in Montmartre. This one of the most beautiful places in Paris. And it’s not far from the Eiffel.
Thank you for the comment and I wish you a great day!
I was looking around on the internet because my parents are taking a long-overdue trip to Paris, and wow, this sound like exactly what would be perfect for them. They are an older couple, and they have their limitations as far as sight-seeing is concerned at this point in their lives. With this cruise, it sounds like they are going to be able to see so many sites from the comfort of the ship. Wow, how perfect for them.
Thank you for a great article, and a great site.
Babs
Hi Babs,
Yes, absolutely, this tour will be perfect for your parents as they don’t have to walks miles and miles to visit all the monuments. Most of the time people need to do the queue to enter the Eiffel or other monuments. So the cruise make things very easy!
Thank you for the comment and wish you a lovely day!
Paris has always been in my bucket list. I think Bateauz Parisiens Cruise will be the best way to start off in Paris. I really appreciate that you have clearly stated what to expect, where to go and what kind of activities and stuff. It’s really helpful for any newcomers to Paris. Thank you.
Hi Sujandar,
You are very welcome! I am glad you found the article useful!
I am sure you’ll love Paris!
Thank you for the comment and wish you a nice day!
I’ve beem wanting to take my wife to Paris for a long time, but just haven’t had the time or money.
I think this cruise would be perfect for us when we do go, because you can see everything and have someone tell you about the different mommuments.
Also since we went on a cruise to the Bahamas and loved it — I have a feeling this would be right up our ally.
About what time of year is best to go and when is the time you should not go?
Hi Michael,
Yes, seine cruise is a great way to see Paris. You and your wife will love the tour!
The best time of the year would be between April and September as the weather is pleasant at that time. Winter in Paris is quite cold and there are many rainy days. If you love rain, then take an umbrella and a waterproof jacket:)
I hope it helped! Don’t hesitate to contact with any question. I’ll be more than happy to assist!
Thank you for the comment I wish you a very nice day!
Paris has been in my bucketlist but I had not fully thought about how the trip would be or what i would be doing there. You have given me very good ideas on how a tour should be like. I know of the Eiffel Tower and it is a must visit but only thought of going there for a some photos never knew that I can learn some history there.
The cruise is a must try, it gives the full view and taste of Paris. Are there specific travel agents that arrange for the cruise tour or you have to book individually while in Paris? Does the cruise allow walk-ins or you have to book in advance?
Hi Anita,
There are many things to learn about Paris. So many monuments to visit, it could take you a few days if not more to learn all the history:) The Seine cruise is the fastest way to see all the Cathedrals and monuments in a very short time. GetYourGuide company arranges everything. You just need to book your ticket and you are good to go! You better book in advance if you want a place on the cruise. The best way to know is to contact GetYourGuide. They respond within 24 hours following.
I hope it helped. Let me know if you need more info. I’ll be more than happy to help!
Thank you for the comment and wish you a fantastic day!