Want to have one of the most memorable experiences on your trip to Paris? Then a Paris Seine dinner cruise is probably something you’re looking into! River cruises are one of the most popular activities to do in Paris as they offer breathtaking views of the city from the water.
If you’ve found yourself struggling to choose one of the many options for a Seine dinner cruise in Paris, you’ve come to the right place.
The point of this article is not to overwhelm you with choices. I have researched the main river cruise companies in Paris and have pulled out their best dinner cruise options for you here.
In the article, I break down the main highlights of each tour and what sets them apart from the others helping you to identify which tour is best for you.
As someone who has been to Paris 9 times now, I really want to help you make your experience the most memorable! So let’s take a look at the different Paris Seine dinner cruise options!
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Best Seine Dinner Cruises: Overview
- How to Choose a Paris Dinner Cruise?
- Best Seine Dinner Cruises in Paris
- Seine Dinner Cruise: FAQs
- Tips for visiting Paris
TL;DR – Quick Tips for First Time Visitors:
🥇 My TOP pick for a Paris Seine dinner cruise is with Bateaux Parisienne
👗 The dress code for most dinner cruises is smart casual
💰 Prices vary but you should expect to pay close to 100 euros per person
🏨 Here are the best places to stay in Paris – look for one near a metro
🩺 Travel anxious-free by getting travel medical insurance
💃🏼 Want to experience more of the Parisian nightlife? Check out the Best Cabaret Shows
How to choose a Paris Dinner Cruise?
You’ll quickly realize that there are plenty of dinner cruises in Paris out there. I’ve done the hard part for you: the research and narrowing it down. But there’s still lots to choose from here! So how do you know which one to go with?
I’ve read through reviews, studied the various tours, and compared the experience for each of these companies, but ultimately, you will need to identify the experience you are looking for. Decide what’s most important to you – is it price, length of the trip, food selection, or the experience?
💸 If you’re prioritizing price, a river cruise without a meal, choosing the lunch tour, or taking this simple dinner cruise, are your best bet.
⏰ If you’re prioritizing the length of the trip, the second service, tours that depart around 8:30 pm, are usually a bit longer, giving you more time sightseeing on the water.
🍽️ If you’re prioritizing food selection, Bateaux Parisiens, my top pick, or Bateaux Mouches have a great selections from 3-4 course meals, or alternatively choose Bateau le Theo if you want Italian food.
✨ If you’re prioritizing the experience, Le Diament Bleu offers a tour that ends with a DJ and dance floor. If you’re looking for something a little more romantic, I’d go with the Maxims on the water or Bateaux Mouches.
Now, lets take a deep dive into each of these options.
Best Seine Dinner Cruises in Paris
My TOP pick
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✅ Paris: Dinner Cruise on the Seine River at 8:30 PM (by Bateaux Parisiens)
⏰ Length: 2.5 hours
🎤 Features: Live music on board
🍽️ Food: Multiple menu options (vegetarian also available)
💰Price: 115-215 euros
📍Departs from: Bateaux Parisiens Port (300 Port de la Bourdonnais, 75007 Paris, France)
❤️ Perfect for: couples
⭐️ Rating: 4.6/5 on GetYourGuide based on +4k reviews
Why is this one my top pick for a Paris Seine dinner cruise? Because I find it offers a little bit of everything! This cruise is a great length for an evening cruise, there are several choices in terms of menu and seating and there’s live music on board. The menu is great and the stops along the way are perfect in my opinion! What’s not to love!? Plus, it has amazing reviews!
➡️ Book your tour here! ⬅️
If you’d like a romantic meal
✅ Paris: Seine River Cruise with 3-Course Dinner & Live Music (by Maxim’s de Paris)
⏰ Length: 1.5 – 2.5 hours
🎷 Features: Live jazz music
💰 Price: 145-195 euros
📍Departs from: Paris Seine La Marina, Port de Solférino, Promenade Edouard Glissant 75007 Paris
❤️ Perfect for: couples
⭐️ Rating: 4.5/5 on GetYourGuide based on +400 reviews
Maxims is a historic French restaurant known for its take on classic French dishes – and now they offer on-the-water dining! Probably one of the classy-est options on this list, this tour is for those who want to splurge! You start your intimate tour with a glass of champagne, included with your ticket, and then you continue with a quintessential 3-course French meal (wine included as well)! Did I mention the live jazz music!? This is definitely the most romantic tour on the list!
➡️ Book your cruise here! ⬅️
If you’d like to dine a little earlier
✅ Paris: Dinner Cruise on the Seine River at 6:15pm (by Bateaux Parisiens)
⏰ Length: 75 minutes
🍽️ Food: 3-course dinner (vegetarian also available)
💰 Price: 95-150 euros
📍Departs from: Bateaux Parisiens Port (300 Port de la Bourdonnais, 75007 Paris, France)
❤️ Perfect for: families
⭐️ Rating: 4.5/5 on GetYourGuide based on +100 reviews
This Paris Seine dinner cruise is very similar to the evening cruise; however, it is a little more accessible for families and those of us who do not want to finish their evenings super late. Most cruise companies offer earlier seating like this one, so you’ll have choices if you prefer a different company!
The main differences between the earlier and later seating:
- there is often no live music
- there are usually only 3-course menu options rather than 4-course
- it’s earlier in the evening
- the tour is shorter in length
It’s for these reasons that this tour is more geared towards families. But keep in mind, since this is an early evening tour, you might not witness the Eiffel Tower sparkle since this happens after sunset. You will, however, start to see the sunset from the water which is absolutely magical!
➡️ Check availability and prices here! ⬅️
If you want to dance
✅ Paris: Gourmet Dinner Cruise on Seine River with Live Music (by Le Diamant Bleu)
⏰ Length: 2-2.5 hours
🍽️ Food: 3-course dinner (vegetarian and vegan options available)
💰 Price: 89-150 euros
📍Departs from: 36, Quai d’Austerlitz 75013 Paris, under the Cité de la Mode et du Design
❤️ Perfect for: party people
⭐️ Rating: 4.4/5 on GetYourGuide based on +1.5k reviews
This fun Paris Seine dinner cruise gets a little more lively after your meal. The meal on this cruise proudly says they offer seasonal dishes, which is amazing in my books. After dining, a dance floor, DJ, and live music are all added to end the evening! This is definitely a unique option that can really upgrade your cruise experience!
➡️ Check availability and prices here! ⬅️
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If you want something a little more formal
✅ Paris Seine River Dinner Cruise with Live Music (by Bateaux Mouches)
⏰ Length: 2h15 minute cruise
🎤 Features: Live music on board
🍽️ Food: 4-course dinner
💰 Price: 120-165 euros
📍Departs from: Port de la Conférence, 75008 Paris, France
⭐️ Rating: +2,000 5-star reviews on Viator
I list this Paris Seine dinner cruise as ‘a little more formal’ because they are the only ones on this list who require a formal dress code. On this cruise, you’ll get a 4-course meal of an appetizer, main, and two desserts. The Excellence menu offers a little more menu selection and champagne! The food sounds delicious, and the reviews are fantastic!
➡️ Check availability and prices here! ⬅️
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If you want Italian food
✅ Paris: 3-Course Italian Meal Seine Cruise (by Bateau le Théo)
⏰ Length: 2 – 2.5 hours
🍽️ Features: 3-course Italian Trattoria Style Dinner (vegetarian and vegan options available)
💰 Price: 68-71 euros
📍Departs from: 2 Rue du Ranelagh, 75016 Paris, France
❤️ Perfect for: families
⭐️ Rating: 4.2/5 on GetYourGuide based on +1.2k reviews
If you’ve had enough French food after your visit to Paris, this might be a good alternative for you! The reviews for this dinner cruise rave about the food, where you get an Italian appetizer, choice of main dish, and a dessert. They offer two seatings, both tours take the same route from what I read, and they detail their menu selection in the tour description if you’re curious.
➡️ Book your dinner cruise here! ⬅️
If you want an affordable dinner cruise
✅ Paris : Seine River Bistronomic Dinner Cruise (by Bistro Alexandre III )
⏰ Length: 1.5 – 2.5 hours
🍽️ Features: 3-course Bistrot Dinner
💰 Price: 55-65 euros
📍Departs from: Boat IVOIRE 10 Port des Invalides, 75007 Paris
❤️ Perfect for: those on a budget
⭐️ Rating: 4.4/5 on GetYourGuide based on +2.3k reviews
If you know you want to experience dinner on the Seine without having to pay an arm and a leg, this is your tour! With this dinner cruise, you get to try classic French bistro cuisine as you sail past Paris’ skyline without all the bells and whistles. From reading reviews, make sure you arrive on time, even in advance if you can!
➡️ Check availability here! ⬅️
If you want a lunch tour instead
✅ Paris: 2-Hour River Seine Lunch Cruise (by Bateaux Parisiens)
⏰ Length: 2 hours
🍽️ Features: Multiple menu options
💰 Price: 75-115 euros
📍Departs from: Bateaux Parisiens Port (300 Port de la Bourdonnais, 75007 Paris, France)
⭐️ Rating: 4.7/5 on GetYourGuide based on +3k reviews
If you’re looking for a delicious Seine cruise but not necessarily keen on the evening experience, you’ll be happy to know there are lunch options as well. On this tour, you can enjoy a 3-course meal alongside panoramic daytime views. Since this tour takes place during lunch, the dress code is casual. However, they still mention that shorts and sportswear are not allowed.
➡️ Check availability here! ⬅️
MOST affordable option: Seine Cruise only
✅ Paris: 1-Hour River Seine Cruise with Audio Commentary (by Bateaux Parisiens)
⏰ Length: 1 hour
🚢 Provider: All major cruise companies offer this option and all experiences are about the same
💰 Price: ~20 euros
📍Departs from: Bateaux Parisiens Port (300 Port de la Bourdonnais, 75007 Paris, France)
❤️ Perfect for: those on a budget and short on time
⭐️ Rating: 4.3/5 on GetYourGuide based on +33k reviews
Last but not least, there are of course plenty of Seine river cruises in Paris that are more budget-friendly. A Paris Seine dinner cruise will cost you roughly 100 euros per person but a river cruise that offers the same views of the city can cost you around 20 euros.
The three main river cruise companies in Paris are Bateaux Parisiens, Bateau Mouches and Le Diamant Bleu. Each will offer a similar route and tour of the Seine for roughly the same price. Personally, I went with Bateaux Parisiens! These tours are much larger and not as intimate as the dinner cruises but you still get the magical experience of admiring Paris from the water!
➡️ Book your tickets here! ⬅️
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Seine Dinner Cruise: FAQs
Is a Paris Seine dinner cruise worth it?
In short, it is definitely worth it to take a Seine dinner cruise in my opinion. Is it touristy? Yes. But, is it memorable and worth the money? I also would strongly say yes.
A dinner cruise offers a very romantic setting and is an excellent way to appreciate the city away from the hustle and bustle. Although it’s usually cooler on the water and at night, the boats are glass-covered and still offer amazing views with excellent ambiance.
What do you wear on a Seine dinner cruise in Paris?
The dress code for most dinner cruises in Paris is smart casual. This means sports shoes, sportswear, flip-flops, jeans, or shorts are not allowed. I would also recommend bringing a shawl or something to cover up, as it can get chilly late at night. However, it is important to confirm the specific requirements for your Seine dinner cruise in Paris as some are more strict than others.
How much does a dinner cruise cost in Paris?
Generally, you should expect to pay around 100 euros per person for a Paris Seine dinner cruise! The variations in cost depends on a few things:
- Seating: Most tours offer premium seats next to windows or at the front of the boat.
- Menu: Some cruises offer the choice in menu between a 3 or 4-course meal. The 3-course meal offers an appetizer, main, and dessert while the 4-course meal also includes a cheese course. Usually, an aperitif and a drink are also included.
- Ambiance: Some cruises offer live music, some offer dancing and some are more formal.
How long is a Seine river cruise?
The typical cruise lasts 1.5 – 3 hours, depending on the route and option you selected. This gives you enough time to enjoy your food and the view without feeling rushed. If you opt for a dinner cruise, expect them to run later at night, which is timed around sunset. This allows you to appreciate the sunset over Paris’s cityscape and see the Eiffel Tower sparkle on your return.
Tips for visiting Paris
📍Book things in advance – I repeat BOOK THINGS IN ADVANCE! This is my number one recommendation for anyone traveling to Paris. This includes tours, restaurants, and any attractions you want to see on your trip. Even when I visited Paris in OCTOBER tickets were sold out for attractions such as the Sainte Chapelle and the Musee d’Orsay. If you have a bucket list of experiences for your trip to Paris, like a dinner cruise, don’t wait too long to book your tickets!
📆 Visit during shoulder season. Paris is the number one tourist destination in the world, and it has held that title for many years. The peak travel season for Paris is during the summer, which is often super crowded and hot. However, you can still have a memorable experience during the shoulder season! For example, May, June, or September still offer pleasant temperatures without being overrun by tourists!
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Ⓜ️ Look for accommodations near a metro station. When deciding where to stay in Paris, there are SO many options to choose from. I recommend that visitors look for accommodations near a metro station. Paris is so well connected that as long as you are close to the metro, you can get anywhere in the city relatively efficiently! I’d also recommend staying in the 4th, 5th, or 18th arrondissements.
Enjoy your dinner cruise in Paris
Choosing a Paris Seine dinner cruise can be challenging since there are many choices out there. But I hope by now you have enough information to choose the tour thats right for you. Experiencing Paris from the water is 100% worth it, so if you find yourself contemplating, I say go for it!
Not sure what’s the best time on a Seine River Cruise? Whether you want to enjoy the views at night, at sunset, or during the day, Paris is magical any time, all year round! Whichever tour you choose, I hope you have an amazing experience and that its everything you dreamed of!
Did you know? I offer custom travel planning on Thatch! Whether you are in need of a consultation call to talk over your travel itinerary or are in need of a personalized guide or itinerary, I’d love to help you with your France travel planning!
