Which canal cruise in Paris?
 

There is Paris Canal or Canauxrama. Is there a difference between them? Or does it matter which you choose. If there is a difference, please explain. <BR><BR>Thanks..........Sue

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Anyone?

Sue: We ended up taking Canauxrama intead of Paris Canal for two reasons: there are two (2) departures per day from both the Bastille area and the Parc de la Villette area (Paris Canal has a morning departure from one location and the afternoon departure from another) and 2) their tour is approx. 20 minutes to 1/2 hour shorter than Paris Canal. Since we were determined to be very flexible for our stay in Paris this time, Canauxrama's schedule meant that we could play "if we're in the area, we'll take the canal trip." And it worked.<BR><BR>If we had to do over again, we would have picked up some sandwiches and drinks (there are no services on board). We were so last minute with our decision that we just had time to run from the metro stop to the dock.<BR><BR>

Can't comment on the difference but I took the Paris Canal trip starting at Parc de la Villette and ending at Musee d'Orsay. It was about 3 hours or so and not having any refreshments wasn't an issue. I took the afternoon tour (in May; the weather was better) and the guide (an Englishman who gave the descriptions in both English and French) was delightful. Great trip.

Nancy's description of Paris Canal made me think of two other points. First, we were staying up near the Marais, trying to do more "Right Bank," non-museum things this time, so that's another reason we ended up on Canauxrama.<BR><BR>They, too, had an English/French tour guide. He wasn't English as in Nancy's Paris Canal trip, but he was quite good!<BR><BR>By the way, we didn't make reservations, either.

We did the Paris Canal because our hotel was near the d'Orsay and also because it included the Seine as well as the canal. I believe the prices are the same for each company; Paris Canal insists on reservations, but you can make them via internet. We went in April; there were only 8 on the boat so I was able to sit outside on the front, only moving inside when the locks started spraying water on me. There was coffee; since the tour is three hours, it's no problem not having food. There is a restaurant at Parc Villette at the end of the ride; it seemed a bit pricey (for lunch) so we passed it by. It's also an easy walk to the metro to get back to the center of town. The ride was a highspot of our trip so try to do one or the other.

Can anyone clarify how these canals relate to the Seine boat tours? My wife and I are getting ready for our 1st trip to Paris together and are looking forward to one of the Seine boat tours. I've heard about the Vedettes and the Bateaux Mouches tours. Is there some relationship to these and the Paris Canal and Canauxrama mentioned here?

Topping. Can anyone answer the last question?

As far as I know the Canal trips don't cover as much of the Seine. For instance you can pick up a Seine boat trip at the Eiffel Tower and continue to where....? However, I found that I saw much of the Seine just in walking around Paris and wanted to see other areas that the Canal boat trip covers. On the Canal trips you do see the Bastille area,and all the buildings near Notre Dame and the Louvre on the Seine.

Canal boat trips stop at the Port de plaisance in Bastille, ie at the "intersection" between the canal and the Seine

For Larry: The canal trip is totally different from the Seine cruises, except as I stated above the Paris Canal itinerary takes you on the Seine from the Musee d'Orsay to the entrance to the St. Martin Canal with commentary. The Canal ride goes thru the Paris marina (sure surprised me to see all these pleasure boats), through a number of locks where you rise to the street level, thru appx a mile of underground which is really fun, and sometimes you pass barges going the other way; people wave from the streets and bridges. It shows you a part of Paris you might not otherwise see. If you want to spend more time, you can tour the Parc Villette where the ride ends, otherwise metro back to town. There are no monuments as such on the canal ride; the trip itself is the fun part. We did the canal during the a.m.; and another evening did the Seine cruise when the buildings were lighted.

Quite enlightening. Thanks. I thought there must be a difference but not being familiar with Paris and not seeing the canals mentioned in the guide book we have, I thought it was worth clarifying. If I might ask another question, is it the Seine cruise where you see the miniature Statue of Liberty? What is the French name for this statue? There again, I don't see it mentioned in the Frommer guide book. Can anyone clear me up on this, too. Thanks.

As I recall from a one-nighter in Paris years ago, I saw the miniature Statue of Liberty on a night Bateaux Mouches trip. Don't know the French name. For me, this night trip was a dud! I know some like to see the city in lights which is nice but the boat is packed, the commentary recorded in several languages, and completely not understandable! I was so disappointed. Couldn't really recognize any buildings (a man sitting in front of me took pity and told me what buildings we were looking at!) If you're boating along the Seine, take a day trip. By the way, I looked up Paris Canal on their website, e-mailed them and they sent me a brochure. While in Paris, I just called and made a reservation - very easy. In the month I spent in Paris, this trip was a highlight - got to see different areas I wouldn't have walked to.

I agree with Nancy--the Bateaux Mouches boats are gigantic and crowded. The way to go is on the Vedettes de la Pont Neuf which are much smaller and more intimate, with a human tour guide (as opposed to recorded commentary in 4-5 languages). I loved the evening Seine cruise I took with them. The ticket booth is located right underneath the Pont Neuf.

Sue: My family told me to tell you that they recommend Canauxrama over Paris Canal and Vedettes de la Pont Neuf (for Seine river) over their competitors for the same reason: they're the shortest!<BR><BR>Here's my husband's quote: "The longest I can stand on any boat is 1/2 hr. Then I start thinking about the good Alsace-Lorraine beer I could be trying on all those establishments we're passing."<BR><BR>My oldest: "It was Ok for 45 minutes. You know, I have to get clothes for fall. You can't exactly see them on that darn boat.<BR><BR>Youngest: "There are pastry shops! We have to visit them! And we're stuck on this darn boat!"

Paris Canal stated they would accept reservations for the cruise one month in advance. Last week end I e-mailed them to request Sept 23rd. They replied they were booked for that Monday. I wrote again and asked if I could be on a list in case of cancellation as that is the only day I have available. They replied their boats were chartered for that day and there would be no cancellations. <BR><BR>So, I will be going (hopefully) on the Canauxrama. I guess theirs is first come first serve....no res. After reading everyones comments, I guess the only difference is the length of the cruise.<BR><BR>Thanks to everyone for your helpful responses. Sue

I see a website named Bateaux Parisiens. Is that the same as the Bateaux Mouches? We'll be in Paris 27-30 Sept. Is it advisable to get reservations for the boat ride now or when we get to Paris?

I second the recommendation of the Vedettes de la Pont Neuf; we had a young student as commentator, and the boat was smaller than the other companies. Unlike a former poster's husband, I would love the cruise to be twice as long....don't drink beer, love seeing the city from the water view. Another way to do that is to take the Batobus during the day, the water taxi. A nice change from metro and bus.

The 3 hour Paris boat canal trip sounds great. I understand they run only a few months of the year, perhaps April through September. Does anyone know how much the ride cost for an adult?