Best River Seine Dinner Cruise Experiences


 

A dinner cruise on the Seine is a must do for many when visiting Paris. Imagine cruising by the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame and the Louvre; admiring the city over a delicious French meal. Sounds pretty dreamy to me. There are so many Seine river cruises in Paris, but I’ve narrowed down the best dinner cruise experiences for you here. So just sit back, relax, and enjoy watching Paris pass by.

Ducasse sur Seine

Photo courtesy of Ducasse sur Seine – Uploaded by them

Chef Alain Ducasse is one of France’s finest, and has accumulated 18 Michelin stars during his career. Ducasse sur Seine is the chef’s answer to a dinner cruise, and a luxe one at that. If you want to enjoy the best river Seine dinner cruise experience, look no further. Just a fair word of warning though, this is very fine dining and you’ll need a generous budget.

Photo courtesy of Ducasse sur Seine – Uploaded by them

There are few different dinner cruise options available, ranging from a simple 2-course meal (€150) to a full 6-course menu with Champagne pairings (€500). The Ducasse sur Seine cruise begins just in front of the Eiffel tower at Port Debilly. From there you’ll cruise your way through Paris for the next two hours; taking in all the gorgeous sights over a truly French meal.

ducasse sur seine – 19 Port Debilly, 75116 Paris
metro station: trocadero
reservations required
price range: €€€€

Calife

Photo courtesy of Calife – Sourced from their website

Calife has the benefit of being one of the lesser known of the river Seine dinner cruises, so it’s easier to snag a place no matter the time of year. Calife leaves from the riverbanks of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, just a quick hop from Pont des Arts (former love lock bridge).

Courtesy of Calife – Sourced from their website

From the riverbanks of Saint-Germain, the Calife whisks you away on a two-hour dinner cruise through the historic city center. You’ll be able to spot the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, Invalides and the Pantheon pass by in front of you. There are two dinner options available, the Saint-Peres 3-course dinner (€67) and the 4-course Grand Palais menu (€108). Both are generous and feature traditional French cuisine, each menu also includes a glass of Champagne. You can expect things like foie gras, smoked salmon, and beef tartar to be on the menu, but there are plenty of vegetarian options too.

Saint-Germain is one of the most historic districts in the city. And if you’re up for it, why not join one of our neighborhood walking tours before your dinner cruise?

calife – 3 Quai Malaquais, 75006 Paris
metro station: odéon
reservations recommended
price range: €€€

Paris en Scène

Courtesy of Paris en Scene – Uploaded by them

Paris en Scène is one of the most popular and oldest river Seine dinner cruises. If you’re on a tighter budget, this is an affordable option. There are several dinner menu options available ranging from €39 to €66 depending on whether you opt for wine or Champagne pairings. Each set menu includes a starter, main, and dessert, all traditional French dishes. And if you’re a vegetarian or vegan, this dinner cruise is a great option for you! They have a special plant-based tasting menu.

Dinner cruises last around an hour and fifteen minutes, and you’ll get to see the magic of Paris by night. This cruise leaves from the man-made island in the Seine, the Ile aux Cygnes. Make sure you allow yourself some extra time before your cruise to explore this gorgeous park jutting out into the Seine. It’s one of the city’s most unique, and also where you’ll spot Paris’ statue of Liberty!

paris en scène – Escale de L’Ile aux Cygnes Pont de Bir-Hakeim, 75015 Paris
metro station: bir hakeim or passy
reservations recommended
price range: €€

Bateaux Parisiens

Photo courtesy of Bateaux Parisiens – Uploaded by them

Bateaux Parisiens is one of the oldest and most classic river Seine dinner cruises. These boats are smaller than some of the others in this guide, which makes for a more intimate and cozy cruise. On the Bateaux Parisiens, you can enjoy a river cruise through the center of Paris, and typical French cuisine under a glass canopy so you won’t miss a second!

There are two different dinner cruise options available with Bateaux Parisiens, and the biggest difference is the departure time. You can choose to start your cruise at either 6:15PM or 8:30PM. If you’re planning a visit in winter or early spring, I would recommend the earlier seating. You’ll be able to see the city light up, and the Eiffel Tower will sparkle on the hour. The later time will allow you to catch the sunset in summer months, and still catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower twinkling. The earlier seating is also more affordable at just €69 per person. For a later departure, set menu prices rise to €129 a person.

bateaux parisiens – Port de la Bourdonnais, 75007 Paris
metro station: iena or pont de l’alma
reservations recommended
price range: €€-€€€

 

La Marina

Courtesy of La Marina – Sourced from their official website

Dinner cruises in Paris can be expensive, and La Marina is a great option if you’re trying to get the most bang for your buck. The boat itself is a classic peniche or riverboat with floor to ceiling windows showcasing a panoramic view of the city. The food is classically French (vegetarian menus available!), and the grandest tasting menu will only set you back €64 at dinnertime. Simpler menus start at just €60, and lunch time cruises are even more affordable.

Cruises last between an hour and fifteen minutes to a full two hours, though they always depart from at 6:45PM. This means you’ll get to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle in winter months, and during spring you’ll be able to catch a Parisian sunset. But it’s hard to beat a dinner cruise in Paris any time of the year. La Marina departs from Quai Anatole France, just in front of the iconic Musée d’Orsay. The cruise follows the river, and you’ll catch a glimpse of the major Parisian monuments while you dine in true French fashion.

la marina – Quai Anatole France, 75007 Paris
metro station: assemblee nationale
reservations recommended
price range: €€

 

 

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