Romance in Paris

My wife and I will be arriving in the early evening in Paris on September 3, 1997. This is her first trip to Paris. I would like to introduce her to this beautiful city by taking a cruise down the Seine that evening. I have never taken a boat trip in Paris but I understand they are beautiful at night. I also understand that there are more than a few choices. Is it worth the money to do a dinner cruise? Which cruise is the best? Is it better to have dinner after a standard cruise in a fine Paris restaurant? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Wayne

The last time in Paris, we just happened to get on a boat just before dusk. I can't imagine a better time. IMHO, there are too many great restaurants in Paris to eat a mass produced meal on a boat, but then again, I haven't tried it. We'll be arriving in Paris on the 6th. Bon Voyage.

suzanne

Do not miss a boat ride on the seine at night. there are numerous tours the largest being the batobus which are the large boat and the one i went on $8.00, your best value. there are smaller boats that leave from pont neuf. i wouldnt have dinner on the boat. have a wonderful meal somewhere else.

Donna

What a wonderful idea! There are lots of choices. The Bateux Mouches are huge and have rather loud commentary in many different languages. The smaller ones would probably be a better choice for a romantic experience. The Bateaux Parisiens are nice. You board at Port de la Bourdonnais, which is right next to the bridge opposite the Eiffel Tower. You'll see the sign. The cruises last an hour and do include English commentary. They depart every half hour 10-10 and cost 45F last fall. They also offer a lunch cruise (300F) 12:30-2:45, and a dinner cruise (550F) 8:30-11. Les Vendettes du Pont Neuf are also very nice. You board at 1 Square du Vert-Galant (on the tip of the island near Pont Neuf). They depart every half hour 10-Noon and 1:30-6:30 with an evening trip 9-10:30. Fare was 20F (as I recall) last fall. These boats are very small and intimate. I have heard and read that meals on the various cruises are mediocre. And, you will be too busy admiring the scenery to want to eat at the same time. And, you will want to be outside, as opposed to inside at a table. So, I would recommend dinner elswhere. Please note that depending on the water level and the size of the boat, the view varies. But, dusk is definitely a terrific time to go. That's when the light is best (the sun is not in your eyes and the photo ops are better). If you time it right, it will be dark on the way back and you'll see the buildings along the Seine lit by floodlights.

Bill Irving

We were in Paris in early June. We took 2 boat rides on the Seine, 1 on bateaux Parisienne, which is located at the
base of the bridge right in front of the Tour Eiffel. The other was the Bateaux Mouches -- across the river from the Tower.
I liked the Bateaux Mouches much better -- it has much more leg room & the seats are a bit more comfortable, the commentary
is more understandable. This tour also covers abit more of the river -- coming back past ther Eiffel Tower & going past
the miniature Statue of Liberty before turning around to dock. It is nice to take a boat tour at night with the lights, but
for a first time, you may want it to be daytime to see all the sites. In June, it did not get dark in Paris until almost 10:30pm.
I have never taken a dinner cruise, but I prefer to concentrate on the sites on a boat tour & eat at an outside cafe later.
But do what you like to do & enjoy it.