I am was planning to give a wedding gift of a Seine Dinner Cruise to a couple who will be honeymooning in Paris in May. However, all posts I've read said the dinner cruises are not good. Even though the couple are not foodies, do you have a better recommendation for about $250?

Lunch at Jules Verne at the Eiffel Tower.

For that budget, they can have a nice lunch (not enough for dinner) at one of many Michelin star rated restaurants such as Le Grand Vefour. I usually avoid view over food type of restaurants, but Jules Verne has both even if at more on the higher price side. Also, having a reservation at Jules Verne allows using a dedicated elevator to the restaurant level. The reservation queue can be very long. Are they not "yet" foodie or confirmed non-foodie? Many non-foodies I know are that way because they have never had opportunity to see and eat meals as they are prepared at highly rated French restaurants. They assumed that all the restaurants serve food like the ones served at the corner flapjack house and can't imagine spending that much money for food they have never seen or tasted before. There are also numerous non-Michelin starred restaurant they can have supper for that budget.

Good questions from greg, because if they really are complete non-foodies, a Michelin meal would be wasted on them. Are they opera or ballet fans? What are their interests?

I do agree a dinner boat cruise would be a waste of $250.

Ooops, just thought of something...how about a full day's tour with a professional guide? It could be structured around whatever their main interests are.

Le Trai
n Bleu?

There are dinner cruises that are worth the money, they are small in sizeand have great chefs. We were treated to one by a restaurant critic friend from Paris.I willask himto sendmethe name.

whoops..Le Train Bleu for a unique setting even if they are not foodies.

Thank you everyone for your replies. They are confirmed non-foodies. I like the idea of a private guide. Can anyone suggest one?

Thanks, Inor

Yes. Michael Osman, hands down. And you will have money left over. He is excellent, knowledgeable, anecdotal when relating the history of things, is an artist, and you should give them a second day to go to the museums--we did a short Louvre (our choice to be short) and a longer Orsay. they will also have a good time in his company--very personable and enjoyable.

I disagree that the dinner cruise is a "waste."

It's not just about the food. So when someone says, "They can get a better meal at ..." Well, maybe. But so what?

I also think that you never know and those folks might like the dinner cruise very much. People criticize it just because it may not be the best food for the money, and that is true. But as a gift, it isn't their money so they don't have to be comparing it to what they could get in a restaurant. And it may be a nice experience, lots of people like the cruises, after all. Especially because they are not foodies, I don't think you can place a bet as to which they would prefer.

I personally would have no interest in some personal guide leading me around a city all day. What if they don't want to do that? At least a dinner is something everyone is going to want to do (eat).

So I think you have to know these folks best as to whether they are the personal guide all day type of folks.

however, I do think a dinner at that fancy restaurant in the Eiffel Tower would be great, also, because of the view.

or maybe even better, lunch at Jules Verne. Now THAT is a memory.
As far as the guide, ask them.

Non foodies, and a special honeymoon treat in Paris seems to scream lunch or dinner at Jules Verne. That would provide "private' access to the Eiffel Tower, which would add to the special visit.

You gotta go for this one.

Do they especially like wine or a certain type of art? I've arranged or booked wine tastings, or art tours/visits for clients in Pars. The major cathedrals near Paris almost all have guided visits, even private onest the love Frence history, and trip to St Denys with a guide would be great.

Lunch at Jules Verne will also give then a great photo op outside as well. I think this would be a very special treat, and a wonderful memory to be able to say you've eaten IN the Eiffel Tower!

When we took all our kids to Paris (with spouses and "girl friend"), girl friend became fiancee at the top of the Eiffel Tower. That IS a memory that keeps on giving--they "collect" Eiffel Towers which is fun--this year is a jigsaw puzzle.

I think you should give them money and let them choose. I would not want to feel bound during the few days I had in Paris for my honeymoon to do somebody's else's idea of what a great time in Paris is.

Several of the things mentioned in this thread are things I would not enjoy spending my time in Paris doing at all. Neither would my husband. So would we lie and say we did it -- and feel badly about the money wasted? Give it to somebody else we met on the street?

I wouldn't be caught dead eating the Eiffel Tower or on a Seine dinner cruise, It would be a cornier-than-all-get-out-cliche idea of Paris to me.

Sorry to be blunt, but think of the marrieds. They are entitled to craft their own dream honeymoon, not have others horning in with an expensive gift that demands they "remember Paris" is some particular way.

PS: I would also hate a guided tour. I have never taken a guided tour in all my travels, and while I get it that many people think the aging M. Osman is a kick, I wouldn't enjoy it based on everything I've heard about it. But i simply don't want to be led around by anybody while I'm in Paris, and wouldn't plan a honeymoon in Paris that included guided tours.

A constructive suggestion:

Get the equivalent of $250 in euros, and wrap it around one of those nifty little travel sacs that folds up into nothing, then attach a note telling them to spend it in Paris on their own special good time or a shared treasure.