Bateaux Mouches
 

Hi! Has anyone here gone on the Bateaux Mouches? Is it better going at night or during the day? Has anyone tried one of the dinner or lunch cruises? Is it worth it? Do you need reservations? Thank you!

I went on the Bateaux Mouches at night. It was a really lovely ride at night. Paris is all lit up, the bridges and buildings and the Eiffel Tower. The boat is lit up as bright as a space ship, which is kind of funny, but you can see everything really well. I didn't take a dinner cruise, but there seems to be some difference of opinion on that matter. Some people say the food is lousy, others say it's great. Personally, I'd just go for the regular boat ride and opt for dinner in a good restaurant afterward.

Both day and night present differing images of the city. My choice of only one would be daytime, but I'd squeeze in an evening trip as well if possible. <BR> <BR>Dinner prices are quite high even for Paris, between FRF800 and 1,000 if I recall properly. Food is served in elegant fashion and isn't bad for "banquet food", but in a city like Paris it suffers badly by comparison for what you can get for that kind of money. <BR> <BR>If you're on an expense account with a client who's not been to Paris it's an excellent choice. It's also a romantic setting to some, so perhaps that might be a reason for you to consider dinner "on the fly", so to speak. (Bateux Mouches = Fly Boats) <BR> <BR>Don't know price of lunch. Website at www.bateauxmouches.fr There are another two or three companies operating.

I've been on them both in the day and at night. I would recommend the night cruise when everything is lit up. It gives the city a magical appearance. Not half as entrancing in the day.

We absolutely loved our night cruise, but definitely would definitely have dinner at a restaurant. The food was really awful and we all agreed we'd paid too much for unappetizing fare.

I would recommend the Bateau Mouches at night. If you can try to sit on the outermost edge of the boat, where your seats will face parallel to the river. This avoids the annoying tour guide's voice, and you can enjoy the lit up monuments and bridges, as well as spot couples walking along the banks. If you want an informational tour, sit in the center of the boat, where your view is hindered, but the guides voice is audible. Skip the dinner/lunch, and concentrate on the sightseeing.

We took it early evening and caught a sunset on our return. It was in late-March and I beleive we caught a boat around 5:15.

forgot to mention...there was no crowds at all. we didn't have a reservation. It was a nice rest after a day of sightseeing and horrible lines at the eiffle tower. i think it's worth it and i recommend to save it for a time when you need a break.

Also note that there are several different boat companies. I prefer the Vedettes de Paris to the Bâteaux-Mouches because the boats are smaller. They cram so many people onto the Bâteaux-Mouches you feel like you're in steerage on the Titanic. It's a wonderful way to get an overall view of Paris, and it is pretty magical at night when the city is illuminated.

While it was a fairly enjoyable experience, to be honest I wouldn't repeat it at night. Some local youths spat down on our boat from some of the bridges and the boat's searchlight lit up gentlemen urinating along the quais. The up-side is the beauty of Paris lit by night.

The boat rides are nice to take. There are several companies - Bateaux Mouches isjust one of them. I prefer the day cruise because I can see more. The dinner cruises get mixed reviews. Some have liked it very much; the majority say take the cruise then go out for dinner. For more information e-mail me

I second the Vedettes de Paris. Smaller boats and they leave from the Pont Neuf area not down by the Eiffel Tower. If you're staying in the 5th or 6th arr they may be more convenient for you.

I took a daytime cruise just because I was in Paris for a while and they aren't that expensive without a meal, so why not. It was not that great IMO and I would not bother if time were tight because I didn't think you really got a very good view of anything from down on the Seine, which is considerably lower than ground level. YOu definitely don't need reservations for the ones without meals. I would go at night as I suppose things would look more interesting lit up.

I had a friend take students to Paris last year and was encouraged to take the Vedettes. He was in a boat with a glass top which so dirty that the trip was a total waste. He would return to the Bateaux Mouches next time. Regardless, of your choice, this might be something to watch for.

Here's another vote for going at night, not doing a dinner cruise (waste of money), and going out of your way to find the Vedettes de Paris, right under the Pont Neuf. The boats are much smaller than the bateaux mouches, and it makes the entire experience that much more charming.

Bonjour, <BR> <BR>Just returned from Paris this last Sunday. <BR> <BR>While in Paris a dear freind, who happens to work for Bateaux Parisiens, as a gift, took us on an evening cruise. IT WAS WONDERFUL!! The food is prepared by a recognized chef on the Bateau, the wine and the food were excellent and the entertainment was great. <BR> <BR>I think are certainly major differences concerning the quality of the verious companies offering diner cruises on the Siene. <BR> <BR>I would highly recommend Bateaux Parisiens to anyone interested on a beautiful romatic diner cruise. <BR> <BR>For all who may be interested, you may view their website at: <BR>http://www.bateauxparisiens.com/ <BR> <BR>I would be interested to know what experiences others have had. <BR> <BR>A Bientot, <BR> <BR>Randall Smith <BR> <BR>

we were in paris in november and went on the night dinner cruise and it was wonderful great food, great chanpagne and good wine. the service wase xcellent and so was the view, live music and great people at the tables around us. it was about 200.00 usd for the two of us, perhaps as we are from the nyc area that is not a lot to us. <BR> we enjoyed it so much when i return in april with my mom she inssits on going . i go on vacation to enjoy myself and if i have to do only inexpensive , what's the point . i am out to enjoy myself and relax .