Julie

Tell me good people are there so many boats up and down the Seine that we don't really need to make a reservation. We would like to take the trip which I understand is only an hour or so on the day we arrive which is early next week.One Fodor friend suggested that it might be a good idea to go on the day you arrive when there may be a bit of a jet lag. We're excited , sort of organized and ready to go for a Parissiene week.

Karen

Strongly advise taking the evening cruise...the lighting along the way is fantastic...the food on our boat was absolutely dreadful and I would just have couple of drinks or coffee and dessert....it was very expensive for the food, but the cruise was well worth it.

Deborah

I agree, take the evening trip. The Batteau Mouches are very popular; no food (just a multi-language narrative), so you wouldn't have to worry about high prices. Tickets were 40 francs per person the last time I was there. You might have to wait 20 minutes, probably no more. Have fun!

Carolyn

We took the evening cruise our first night in Paris last summer. We landed around 11:00 a.m., found our hotel, ate some lunch, took a nap, then headed out for an easy evening. The cruise was perfect, and the lights on Notre Dame and the city from the water were beautiful. The narrator gave interesting info. It gave us a chance to catch our breath after that 9 hour flight from the West Coast! We tried to go to the top of the Eiffel tower afterwards, but the line was too long. We postponed that for early morning and had good success. Anyway, the boat cruise was worth the time and money (not expensive) and we did not need reservations in mid-June. Have fun, we LOVE Paris!

elvira

Bastille Day weekend, we had no trouble getting a cruise during the day (we took the Vedettes boat, it just happened to be closer). <BR> <BR>The day/night cruise is a great idea on the first day; it's relaxing, no interaction required, and you get a chance to see where all the good stuff is.... <BR> <BR>Thanks, Karen, for the info re the dinner cruise. I've been tempted many times to do it - now I can skip it and just do the drinks thing.

elaine

here is information from my Paris notes <BR>I have often heard that the food on the dinner cruises is bad and very over-priced, so I'd skip dinner as has been advised already <BR>Sightseeing Boats: Call to confirm schedules <BR>1. Bateaux Mouches, Seine Cruise: <BR>www.alegria.fr/fr/transports/mouche.html bateau mouches (in French) <BR> Pont de l'Alma, Right Bank, Paris 8th. Metro: Alma-Marceau <BR> Reservations: 01-42 25 96 10, Information: 01-40 76 99 99 Large boats, upper deck is open. Taped commentary. <BR>Departures: Mar-Nov:10am-10:30pm (every 30 minutes) daily <BR>Cruise lasts: 1 hr, 15 mn. <BR>Lunch cruise: 15 Apr-15 Nov: 12:45pm Sat, Sun. Cruise:1 hr, 45 mn. Reserve. <BR>Dinner cruise: 8:30pm, daily. Cruise: 2hr, 15mn. Tie and jacket required. Reserve. <BR> <BR>2. Bateaux Parisiens, Tour Eiffel. Seine Cruise: <BR>From Pont d'Ina, Left Bank, Paris 7. Metro: Bir-Hakeim <BR> Reservations, information: <BR>01-44 11 33 44 <BR>Departures: Mar-Sep: 10am-11pm daily (every 30 minutes) No commentary <BR>Cruises last: 1 hour Lunch cruise: 12:30pm Sat, Sun. Cruise: 2 hours. Reserve. <BR>Dinner cruise: 8pm, daily. Cruise: 2 hr 30 min. Tie and jacket required. <BR>Reserve. <BR> <BR> 3. Vedettes du Pont-Neuf : From Le Pont Neuf, Square du Vert-Galant, Paris 1. Metro: Pont Neuf. Small boats. Live commentary. Highly recommended as a boat choice. <BR>Reservations, information: 01-46 33 98 38. <BR>Departure: from 10:30am-6:30pm daily (every 30 minutes) <BR>Lunch cruise: Noon or 1:15pm. Cruise: 1 hr. Reserve. <BR>Dinner cruise: 9:30pm. Cruise: 2 hrs. Reserve. <BR> <BR>Bat-O-Bus is a trip along the Seine without commentary. April through September. Phone 01 44 11 33 44. You can get on and off at any of five stops including Trocadero, Musee D'Orsay, Louvre, Notre Dame, and Hotel de Ville. <BR>You can take the boat for only one stop, or buy an all-day ticket and get on and off as you like. <BR> <BR> <BR>

Lesli

Vedettes de Pont Neuf also has nightime cruises without dinner, which I highly recommend. The live commentary is in French and English - informative rather than annoying, and the illuminated buildings are lovely. (Try to sit on the top of the boat for the best views.) <BR> <BR>No need for reservations, just arrive and buy tix a bit in advance of the departure time. The TI office can give you info, as well as a discount coupon.