I'm frantically getting our plans finalized for our 6 day Paris trip. We're leaving Sat. We want to take a Seine River boat ride or cruise sometime during our stay. We are planning on doing Fat Tire Bike Tours(formally Mike's) & they include a 1 hour River cruise during their night tour, but what are some suggestions for other 1-3 hr. cruises & prices? We're budget minded. Thanks

flygirl-

Here's a link that have some suggestions:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34482110

Have a great trip!

The evening Bâteaux-Mouches cruises down the Seine are especially nice, as you can see many buildings beautifully lit up. Skip the dinner and cocktail cruises, however; not worth the price.

Hi Flygirl2: we were just in Paris and got great advice on cruises. We loved the Pont Neuf cruise line and you can even print a E2 coupon each off http://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com - they were totally familar with the coupon and took it without hesitation. Also, you can BYO and snacks on this one. Look out for the Nicholas wine stores (sign has yellow writing on burgundy background) borrow a couple of glasses from your hotel and go around 5:30pm - the cruise will just pull up for the first lighting up of the Eiffel Tower at 6:00 - magic!

Just got back from Paris on 3/10, and we took the 8m Pont Neuf 1 hr. cruise,. Over the years I have taken a couple Bateaux Mouches cruises, and I liked the Pont Neuf better; one hour is just about the right time. I think it was 9 euro each.

There are four firms offering sightseeing cruises on the Seine in Paris; they all last an hour or an hour and a quarter and cover the same stretch of river (www.bateaux-mouches.fr, www.bateauxparisiens.com, www.vpn-cpn.com and www.vedettesdeparis.com); the only differences are the departure points and type of boat. There is also Batobus (www.batobus.com) which covers the same stretch of the river, but with intermediate stops so you can hop on and off.
There are also two firms that offer a cruise along the canal St Martin which gives a very different view of parts of Paris that most tourists don't see (www.pariscanal.com and www.canauxrama.com).

Has anyone taken the Saint Martins Canal cruise? I would love to hear feedback about that. I just recently explored the Saint Martin Canal area for the first time, and imagine the next trip more will be changing in that area to see.

My post above: don't know how I got that little icon; meant to write p.m.

TrendGirl: I took the St Martin Canal/Seine cruise a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. You see a different part of Paris and the tour guide I had (an Englishman with a great sense of humor) was terrific. It takes about 3 hours. I phoned Paris Canal cruises and reserved a spot (I think only a day or two ahead)leaving from Parc de la Villette and arriving at the Musee d'Orsay (you can pick it up either direction). [email protected]

Another vote for the Pont Neuf company--they are smaller and provide more personal service IMO. (Bateaux Mouches are ok, but I felt like we were sort of herded around like a bunch of cattle.) If the weather is cold, they have nice little cafe/bar on the quai where you can get a hot toddy or something while you wait to board, and onboard you can sit outside or inside with heat. Not expensive if I remember-worth the money anyway.

We generally wait a day or two, when our feet are really starting to complain, and use it as a break. I personally prefer the night tour for the illuminations over the day trip.

Have a great time!

Welcome back Grandmere...How was your trip?

Can you get a riverboat pass that's good for multiple days on any of the services?

Thanks nancy, i appreciate the feedback for my next Paris visit. I always try to add something totally new for each visit that I have never seen or done before.
Au Revoir!

Kismetchimera, thank you for the welcome back! It was a good trip; my sister-in-law loved Paris, and it was fun showing it to her. She swears I made her walk 11 miles one day--not!

We did my "rituals" (cafe creme and croissant at Deux Magots upon arrival while hotel is readying room, trip to Angelina for Mont Blanc, etc.), sight-saw, shopped (of course!) and in general, just had a fun "girls' trip"! She liked the Left Bank over the Right, and loved the Ile St. Louis. She also was taken by the charm of Hotel du Lys, despite the 60 steps up the old winding staircase to our room! She is an animal lover, and the dogs in restaurants did not cease to thrill her!

Topping for IloveItaly. Where is flygirl these days?

Sorru ..tulips!