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The Seine has always played an important role in Paris.
Two Olympic games’ events were held here in the early 1900s.
The river divides the city into the two different areas, the Left Bank (Rive Gauche) and the Right Bank (Rive Droite), both with very distinct personalities.
Beautiful architecture, in the form of bridges, cross many areas of the tributary…some of the most noteworthy are Pont Neuf, Pont D’Austerlitz, Pont St. Michel, Pont Des Invalides, Pont Marie, Pont du Carrousel, Pont Royal, Pont Alexandre III, Pont de Bir-Hakeim.
The Seine provides a means of transportation and entertainment…maritime river vessels transport goods through the city and boats carry passengers on sight-seeing voyages and dinner cruises up and down the waterway.
Every year, millions of visitors arrive in Paris, hoping to see the city from all angles. At some point during their visit, most make their way to the Seine…walking along the river and taking in views of the Eiffel Tower or crossing the river to access other parts of the city.
One of the most popular attractions in Paris are the bateau-mouches, or river boats and there are a few different companies to choose from, including Vedettes de Paris, Bateaux Mouches and Bateaux Parisiennes. Having only cruised on one of these companies, Bateaux Mouches, I really did not have much of an opinion on why one would be better than the others. Same sights, different boats, right?
Recently, my son and I decided to make good on a boat ride. On his thirteenth birthday trip to Paris, we had planned to take a river cruise one evening. It was extremely cold and windy and other activities encroached on our time. Leaving Paris knowing we had missed out on one of the prime ways to see the city, we were quite disappointed. While he was with me in Paris again, we were definitely not going to miss out.
Taking a walk towards the Eiffel Tower, it was almost lunch time. Grabbing sandwiches, our plan was to take the next departure on the closest boat company, Bateaux Parisiennes, and have our lunch on the boat…only, our plan did not work. We just missed the boat and had to eat our lunch while waiting for the next one to depart. Lesson learned…make sure you know the departure times.
Boarding the Bateaux Parisiennes boat, I was quite impressed with the accommodations. Instead of rows of seats, all facing foward, there were small seating areas near the windows and a raised row of seats at the center to accommodate larger crowds, all covered in a nice, light-colored woodgrain. Many television monitors were strategically placed throughout the boat showing upcoming scenery and retractable handsets offered a detailed commentary of the passing attractions. A stairway at the center of the boat led to the top of the boat where benches lined the exterior for those (like us) willing the brave the misty afternoon. There was also a vending area at the rear of the bottom level with soft drinks and snacks available and the boat was extremely neat and clean.
Passing the famous buildings and attractions, we decided to brave the misty weather and go to the top of the boat for a while. Coasting by Jardin des Tuileries, The Louvre, Musee D’Orsay, and finally Ile de La Cité, where Notre Dame presides in all of its glory, we had a prime view of the famous landmarks and the upper deck almost to ourselves as we glided under the beautiful bridges that cross the Seine.
The boat finally rounded Ile de La Cité and began it’s return journey.
As we passed our starting point and admired the Eiffel Tower, I assumed we were on our way to Swan Island to make the turn and view the Statue of Liberty. Sadly, though I remember seeing the Statue of Liberty on previous trips, we did not go that far and returned to our starting point.
After docking, we were free to leave and continue our exploration on foot along the Seine.
When visiting the beautiful city of Paris, grab some snacks and drinks and head down to the Seine. Try one of the river boats and see the city from a different perspective! Or better yet, try one of the dinner cruises on their restaurant boats! Night or day, it’s a lovely way to enjoy the city.
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Bateaux Parisiennes
- http://www.bateauxparisiens.com/english.html
- Address: Port de la Bourdonnais, 75007 Paris, France (just in front of the Eiffel Tower)
- Hours: October-March, 1030-2200, departures approximately every hour. April-September, 1000-2230 (2300, Aug), departures approximately every half hour. Additional departures from Notre Dame from April-November. See website for more detailed information.
- Admission: €15
- Getting There: Metro, Line 6, Bir-Hakeim stop, Line 9, Trocadero stop, Bus 42, 92, RER, Line C, Champs de Mars – Tour Eiffel stop
