The Best Way to see Paris: The Seine River Cruise
The best way to see Paris, especially to maximise time, is to book a Seine River Cruise. Not just any cruise, but the 24-hour hop-on hop-off Seine River cruise. My favorite is the Batobus, and I booked this experience on GetYourGuide.
If you do not know, the seine river is central to French life, culture and identity. The river runs through the most populated of the 27 administrative regions of France. It is a perfect way to see the city.
“See Paris and die,” they say, but trust me, there is no death involved, except for the cost maybe 😂.
Why the hop-on and hop-off boat cruise?
It is ideal for discovering Paris at your own pace traveling on the river with no traffic delays. With a 24-hour or 48-hour consecutive pass, you can board the riverboat at any of the stations. The catch is that you can hop-on and hop-off the boat, boarding and getting down at each stop as often as you want, and see the city’s iconic sights such as the Eiffel Tower, Musée d’Orsay, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Notre Dame Cathedral, Jardin des Plantes, Hôtel de Ville, Louvre Museum, Place de la Concorde, and Pont Alexandre III.
On the Batobus hop on – hop off shuttle service along the River Seine, you can jump on and off at 9 strategic stops to see these sights, whilst cruise through the heart of Paris, admiring landmark monuments along the river bank from the comfort of a glassed-in boat that is not overcrowded.
Notable Sights and the Stops to see them
Port de la Bourdonnais Stop: See the Eiffel Tower. This stop is also convenient for the Cité de l’Architecture museum, where exhibits include casts of French architecture from the 12th to 18th centuries.
Quai de Solférino Stop: Located a two-minute walk from the Musée d’Orsay, this stop is perfect for those who want to explore the world of Impressionist artists, such as Monet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, and Van Gogh.
Quai Malaquais Stop: See the St-Germain-des-Prés. Hop off near the Institut de France, home of Paris artists and intellectuals, and discover historic sights, such as the famous Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore.
Quai de Montebello Stop: Admire the architectural harmony and Gothic gargoyles of the most iconic cathedral in Paris, Notre-Dame, and explore the carefree student atmosphere of the Latin Quarter.
Cité de la Mode et du Design Stop: Wander among nature in the main botanical garden of Paris, Jardin des Plantes, and explore the museums in the garden grounds, including the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution and Paleontology Museum. Explore the city within a city dedicated to creativity: design, fashion, innovation, and events.
Pont d’Arcole Stop: Alight here to visit the historic City Hall of Paris, Hôtel de Ville, go to the Pompidou Centre, and wander the bohemian streets of the Marais district.
Pont Royal and Pont du Carrousel Stop: Discover a Paris quarter where history and the history of art come together, the Louvre Museum, and see centuries of art, from Egyptian antiquities to Renaissance masterpieces.
Place de la Concorde: Stroll down one of the most elegant streets in Paris, home to five-star hotels and chic boutiques, and see the Grand Palais, Petit Palais, and tree-lined Avenue Montaigne.
Important things to note
- The service operates between 10 am and 7 pm from April to October
- From Monday to Friday between November and March, it operates between 10 am and 5 pm
- On Saturdays and Sundays it operates during the whole year from 10am to 7pm
- The validity of your ticket starts at the moment you board and the pass is used for the first time
- Scan your ticket at each time you hop on the boat.
- Luggage and large bags are not allowed on the boat.
How to Maximize Your Layover in Paris
For travelers with limited time, like myself, maximizing your layover can make a huge difference.
As a 9-5er, I travel on a very limited time and definitely on a budget. So, I have never had the budget or time to visit Paris on a luxury one-week holiday. My strategy has been to visit one or two days at a time in transit or a quick visit.
To give you the full gist of my latest trip to Paris, I booked a 10-hour layover on my Air France flight to London, so I could visit Paris again, and enjoy a good time. You might think 10 hours is too short, but think about doing this three different times and getting to see different parts of the city. That’s so cool and at no extra flight cost.
By planning ahead and utilizing experiences like the the river cruise, you can explore major sights without feeling rushed. Here are a few tips for making the most of your layover:
- Prioritize Your Must-See Sights: Make a list of the top sights you want to see. For me, the Eiffel Tower, Louve and Notre Dame Cathedral were non-negotiable.
- Plan Your Route: Use the Batobus stops as your guide to plan a route that hits all your must-see sights efficiently. Remember, the boat runs on a loop, so you can always catch the next one if you miss your stop.
- Pack Light: Since luggage and large bags are not allowed on the boat, ensure you have a small daypack with essentials like your passport, wallet, phone, and a camera. If you are transiting, leave your carryon luggage at the Airport storage – See how to do that here –
- Keep an Eye on Time: Always be aware of the time to ensure you don’t miss your connecting flight. Set alarms if needed.
- Enjoy Local Cuisine: Make sure to try some local Parisian cuisine. There are plenty of cafes and bakeries near the Batobus stops where you can grab a quick bite.
- Make sure you have data connectivity and carry your powerbank.
The Beauty of Incremental Exploration
One of the beauties of using layovers to explore is the opportunity for incremental exploration. Instead of feeling pressured to see everything in one go, you can break your exploration into manageable chunks. Each visit becomes a new adventure, with new sights and experiences.
For instance, during my layovers, I’ve seen different parts of the city each time. One visit was focused on the museums, another on the architectural wonders, and another on the local cafes and boutiques. This method has allowed me to appreciate Paris in a deeper, more meaningful way.
Final Thoughts
Paris is a city that deserves to be explored thoroughly, and the Seine River Cruise offers a unique, relaxed way to do just that. Whether you have a full day or just a few hours, the hop-on hop-off Batobus service allows you to experience the essence of Paris at your own pace.
So, the next time you find yourself with a layover in Paris, don’t just sit at the airport. Grab a train to Paris, book a Batobus ticket and embark on a mini-adventure through one of the world’s most iconic cities.
Happy exploring!
Thanks for sharing. I have made it a habit to find Hop on Hop off options in every city I visit. I did this boat option in Paris as well and loved how easy it made seeing the city during Bastille Day.
With little kids and a limited budget I found that seeing a city this way was always a great idea. When their tired legs needed some rest or they needed a nap sight seeing didn’t have to stop. I have done this in Paris, NYC, Boston and London.
Exactly! You have nailed it. It is such a convenient and efficient way to see the city. I haven’t tried this in NYC and London, I’ll do on my next visit. Thank you for the great contribution Yinka.