angelalice21

any suggestions?? companies?? time of day? routes? HELP!

shelly_m

We did Vedettes du Pont Neuf, which can be found at the tip of Ile de la Cite. I believe you can print off a 2E coupon for each person, so the trip is only 9E. They have English speaking guides, and hour-long trips that leave every half-hour. I would suggest taking one that leaves just at dusk, so you can see all the beautiful lights. We saw the Eiffel Tower light up at the beginning of the cruise, and got to see it sparkle at the end, so we got all the best in one cruise.

http://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com/

Robespierre

As an alternative, there's a water taxi called batobus.com that offers all-day hop on/off service.

shelly_m

Also, if you choose to buy your ticket that day, you can stop by and purchase it at any time, then just arrive back at the dock about 20 minutes prior to departure of your desired cruise. We happened by there in the early afternoon, then just came back about 8:40 pm for the 9:00 cruise.

Enjoy!

BelTib

Hi Angelalice21,

I just went through this process a couple of weeks ago in Paris. My recommendation is to take the boat company that is most convient for you in terms of location. If you are closer to the Eiffel Tower take Bateaux Parisiens, if you are near Pont de l'Alma take Bateau Mouches, if you are over by Pont Neuf take Vedettes Pont Neuf. They are all roughly the same price, route and offer similar experiences (I'm talking about straight sightseeing, dinner cruises don't appeal to me).

We used Bateau Mouches. Their boats are quite large which means it is much easier to move around to take pictures, or in our case to avoid loud high school tour groups. I would definitely wait until at least 9:30pm to go so that you have a chance to see the Eiffel Tower light show that starts at 10pm (also 11 and midnight) and lasts about 15min. It doesn't get very dark until about 10:15pm, so if you want the lighting effect on the buildings, wait until then.

Hope this helps.

PeaceOut

Our family of four used the Batobus, using their unlimited hop-on-hop-off two-day pass. It's very convenient, but doesn't run really late at night.

Robespierre

Ah. True. But there's nothing to prevent you from nailing down a spot on one of the quais adjacent to the tower. Same view, zero cost.

Leburta

I guess I'm the consummate tourist. I have taken the Seine river cruise on every trip to Paris, and still love it. I always go at night so that I can see the buildings and monuments lit up. And I still enjoy the narration, which you may too, especially if you have never done this before. The 1-hour cruises are not expensive, so I would do this even if you got the batobus pass -- I don't believe there is any narration or explanation on those.

I have only used the Vedette du Pont Neuf once, and then because I was travelling with a group and there were on-line coupons availabe. They were quite adequate, and I would not hesitate to use them again.

I have most often used Bateaux Parisien, just below the Eiffel Tower. The are just a euro or two more expensive, convenient, and also quite good.

One of my favorite things to do with friends that are new to Paris is to take the metro to the Trocadero, have them take in the wonderful view of the Eiffel Tower from that hilltop vantage point (great photo op, by the way), then walk down toward the Eiffel Tower and the river. Approaching the tower just as you cross over the bridge will be a walkway down to the cruise boats. Depending on the time of year, you might want to plan to be there at dusk so that you can take photos, but still enjoy the lights as night falls.

Momliz

For a change of pace, don't forget the cruises up and down the Canal St Martin:

http://www.canauxrama.com/e_index.html

http://www.pariscanal.com/?lang=en

http://tinyurl.com/4sgdne

citrouille

There is a narration on the 1 hour river cruise (Bateau Mouches). It was 11 euros per person. I didn't think I'd enjoy it, but it was a fabulous tour. I'll do the champagne tasting tour next time.

ChicagoDallasGirl

bookmarking

Robespierre

One of my favorite things to do with friends that are new to Paris is to take them to the N° 42 bus at Gare du Nord and ride it through the right bank sights to the Eiffel Tower.

As the tower gets closer and closer, the anticipation is palpable. I don't think the Métro (even to Trocadero) has quite the same vibe.

citrouille

I took bus number 49 as recommended by Rick Steves. It took us from Prere Lachaise to Champs du Mars across Paris. It was the cheapest tour of Paris that I have ever taken, Eu 1.40 one way.

djkbooks

We've done them all, and don't limit ourselves to just one on any trip.

Actually, we prefer the Bateaux Mouches. The vessels are much larger and higher, so the views, scenery, and photo ops are far superior, and there's plenty of room to walk around - and get away from noisy and annoying groups/families.

On a hot, sunny, day, when you're tired from walking all over, a river cruise is a wonderful and relaxing respite.

Our favorite time is just before sunset, when the light is the most beautiful, and you return in the dark after the lights have been turned on all over - just magical.

The Batobus is not really a good alternative. The boats are so low on the water that the views are obstructed. And, they're covered with glass, so on a hot/sunny day you can't get out of the heat/sun. And, it's not a "cruise", rather a water shuttle with lots of stops where it takes quite a while for passengers to board/get off.

If you're around the Tour Eiffel, keep an eye out for the Bateaux Mouches free shuttle. You can purchase tickets, and then be driven right to the dock and hop on the next departing boat.

PeaceOut

The Batobus is great as a means of transportation, more scenic and fun than a cab or bus IMHO. It's not a cruise.

The Batobus covered top can be a huge bonus when the weather is inclement. It was rainy one day, and we wanted to take a break, so we rode the Batobus awhile.

basingstoke2

The Vedettes du Pont Neuf website also has a 4 euro discount if you purchase the ticket voucher in advance over the internet. Your net cost will be 7 euro. These are open tickets that do not expire until several months after purchase, so you can use them at will. An additional advantage is that there is a separate line for redeeming the voucher that is shorter than the main ticket line.

Fodorite018

basingstoke2--We did that very thing last summer and it was nice to bypass the line. It was a good cruise too, IMO.

PeaceOut

P.S. Re Batobus: there are only 8 stops, I believe, at all the major tourist sites in Paris.