Paris Dinner Cruise Guide: 10 Top Companies Compared (2024)

Enjoying dinner while cruising along the River Seine is an iconic Parisian experience. But with so many boat companies offering tours, how do you choose?

As a long-time Paris local, I’ve personally researched, reviewed, and rated all the best Seine dinner cruise options. Whether you’re looking for romance, luxury, entertainment or just delicious French food with amazing city views, you’ll discover the perfect riverboat here.

This guide also features my insider tips to help you book dates and seats that suit your trip.

Warning: these choices only reflect my personal opinion!

 

⭐️ Top Paris Dinner Cruise Picks

• For those looking for a reliable, classic River Seine cruise experience, I recommend Bateaux Mouches or Les Bateaux Parisiens. These long-running dinner cruises consistently receive excellent reviews.
• If romance is your top priority, treat your loved one to an intimate evening on Bateaux Mouches’ Privilège Étoile service or the newer luxury yacht Don Juan II.
• For a high-end Michelin star meal, only Alain Ducasse’s Ducasse Sur Seine single-handedly matches fine dining with smooth electric riverboat transport.
• On a budget but still interested in Seine views? Check out Paris en Scène or historic boat Le Calife for cheaper dinner cruises that impress.

Now let’s go into detail about each dinner cruise on the Seine.

 

Bateaux-Mouches, the Iconic Paris Dinner Cruise With Live Music

Bateaux-Mouches is a registered trademark that has been around for over 60 years.

Originally, the name referred to boats that transported goods, and it was during the 1867 Universal Exhibition that some boats began to accept passengers on board.

You will discover the main monuments of the capital: the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame-de-Paris, the City Hall, the Musée d’Orsay… so many romantic places for your dinner on the Seine.

⌚ Schedule: 8:30pm (duration: 2h15)

💰 Price:

• €115 for the “Prestige” menu (aperitif, starter, main course, dessert, drink)
• €155 for the “Excellence” menu (window seat, aperitif, champagne, starter, main course, cheese, dessert, drink)

You can also enjoy special events:

• New Year’s Eve: €460/person (from 20:30 until 02:00, band and singer)
• Christmas: €110

😍 What We Love:

• the large windows
• the live music that creates a great atmosphere
• the quality of the food
• the vegetarian options
• the wine included even in the cheapest package

🫤 What We Like Less:

• Saturdays are often fully booked weeks in advance
• the portions could be larger
• disappointing Cheese selection, like brie, were not up to expectations.

Note: Book in advance. Especially if you want to come on a Saturday, you should do so several weeks or even months in advance.

➡️ Book your dinner cruise with Bateaux Mouches 🔥HIGH DEMAND

 

Bateaux Parisiens, a Sophisticated Glass-Enclosed Cruise

You can board the Bateaux Parisiens next to the Eiffel Tower or Notre-Dame. Their main point is their enormous glass panes offering a panoramic view of Paris.

Whether you’re on the Onyx, the Diamant II, or any other of their boats, the Bateaux Parisiens will serve you the most famous monuments in Paris such as the Eiffel Tower, the Invalides, the Louvre and many more on a silver platter.

⌚ Schedule:

• 6:15pm (duration: 1h15)
• 8:30pm (duration: 2h30)

💰 Price: 

• Dinner Cruise 6:15pm (1h15): €95 for Dinner Etoile, €125 for Dinner Privilege, €149 for Dinner Premier.
• Dinner Cruise 8:30pm (2h30): €115 for Dinner Etoile, €139 for Dinner Découverte, €185 for Dinner Privilege, €215 for Dinner Premier.

You can also enjoy special events:

• July 14th (National Day): €159 for the Excellence service (panoramic view)
• New Year’s Eve: €430/person

😍 What We Love:

• the fully glazed boats
• French cuisine
• the casual chic atmosphere
• the musical entertainment
• good timing with the Eiffel Tower’s light show
• a children’s menu at €39.

🫤 What We Like Less:

• the boat can sometimes appear quite crowded
• few availabilities
• the (too) short (1h15) and (too) early (at 6:15 pm) route

Note: Les Bateaux Parisiens can be difficult to book, so don’t wait until the last minute, especially if it’s for a Saturday (which can sometimes be fully booked 1 or 2 months in advance).

➡️ Book your dinner cruise with Bateaux Parisiens  🔥HIGH DEMAND

 

Paris Seine, an Intimate River Cruise With French Cuisine

The boats offered by Paris Seine will delight you with their elegant and intimate decoration.

You will be able to enjoy high-quality food while admiring the main monuments of Paris, as the route starts at the foot of the Musée d’Orsay.

⌚ Schedule:

• 6:15pm (duration: 1h15)
• 8:30pm (duration: 2h30)

💰 Price: 

• Dinner Cruise 6:45pm (1h15): €85
• Dinner Cruise 9:15pm (2h): €100 without drinks, €130 for VIP including drinks, €165 for Romantic package.

You can also enjoy special events:

• July 14th (National Day): €149 special menu

😍 What We Love:

• A very popular cruise available most of the time
• The 9:15 PM journey allowing views of the illuminated Eiffel Tower
• French cuisine
• Children’s menu at €40
• 100% vegetarian menu with several options
• Enjoyable live music performances.

🫤 What We Like Less:

• The price of additional options (drinks and seats near the windows)
• Some seats are sometimes too tight and crowded.

➡️ Book your dinner cruise with Paris Seine

 

Le Diamant Bleu, Paris By Night With Singers and DJs

Discover the magic of “Paris by night” aboard the Blue Diamond and savor a gourmet dinner while admiring the breathtaking views of the city’s iconic monuments.

Enjoy a 2.5-hour cruise along the Seine with a choice of starter, main course, and dessert, all prepared by the talented Chef Mohamed Gamara and his team.

Enjoy live entertainment with singers and a DJ.

⌚ Schedule: 8:30 pm (2.5 hour)

💰 Price:

• €89 Gourmet Dinner Cruise
• €109 Gourmet Dinner Cruise with Wine (1/2 bottle of wine per person)
• €129 Sparkling Gourmet Dinner Cruise (1/2 bottle of champagne/wine per person)
• €144 VIP Sparkling Gourmet Dinner Cruise (guaranteed window table)

😍 What We Love:

• The superb upper deck terrace
• The excellent quality of food
• The Lounge and live music ambiance. The performance of the musicians and singer is incredible (songs in French and English)
• Friendly and very helpful staff
• The opportunity to dance back at the dock (Live DJ)

🫤 What We Like Less:

• Music a bit too loud for having a conversation
• No vegetarian options
• Limited non-alcoholic drink options
• Some tables are a bit too close to each other

➡️ Book your dinner cruise with Le Diamant Bleu 

 

Calife, a Charming Barge Cruise That Feels Like Old Paris

The Calife, whose personnel clearly seems to treat you as a pasha combines two opposite aspects: a both sumptuous and friendly atmosphere.

Whether it is the music, the decor and, obviously, the Parisian monuments to admire, you will definitely not be in want.

⌚ Schedule: 8:45 pm (duration: 2h).

💰 Price: 

• Calife menu priced at €67/adult without drinks (welcome cocktail, starter, main course, dessert)
• Royal menu priced at €109/adult (welcome cocktail, starter, main course, dessert, wine, champagne)
• Children’s menu called Les Petits Matelos priced at €45 (starter, main course, dessert)

😍 What We Love:

• good value for money
• the barge is pretty, typical and quite small
• outdoor pontoon to admire Paris
• retractable roof to see Paris under the stars in the open air
• there are vegetarian options

🫤 What We Like Less:

• some tables are close to each other

➡️ Book your dinner cruise with Le Calife

 

Ducasse sur Seine, Alain Ducasse’s Gourmet Electric River Boat

 

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Une publication partagée par Ducasse sur Seine (@ducassesurseine)

Now you can enjoy the excellence of chef Alain Ducasse on the Seine. Since 2018 it is possible to take a (gastronomic) dinner cruise on board the Ducasse sur Seine.

Beyond a simple cruise, Alain Ducasse offers you a real experience on board an electric boat. A silent trip around the historical and remarkable sites of Paris.

⌚ Schedule: 8:30 pm (duration: 2h).

💰 Price:

• €160 for the 4-course menu (excluding drinks).
• €200 for the 5-course menu (excluding drinks).
• €305 for the 5-course menu & wine pairing.

😍 What We Love:

• the only eco-friendly dinner cruise (100% electric)
• the silence of the boat
• the high-level gastronomic cuisine
• over 100 wine references
• the valet parking service (€15)

🫤 What We Like Less:

• drinks not included in the menu (glass of wine is expensive).

➡️ Book your dinner cruise with Ducasse sur Seine

 

Vedettes du Pont Neuf, Casual Terrace Dining With City Views

Initially founded in 1959 with no less than four boats, the Vedettes du Pont Neuf have been welcoming travelers who want to visit Paris in a tasteful atmosphere.

As such, under the lights of the Eiffel Tower and other famous monuments, you will be able to enjoy a meal worthy of French gastronomy.

⌚ Schedule: 8:30 pm (duration: 2h).

💰 Price: €79 for the menu (excluding drinks): Earth Menu, Sea Menu, Vegetarian Menu

😍 What We Love:

• the terrace
• the beautiful 2h00 trip
• the French cuisine
• there is a vegetarian menu
• Background music: French classics

🫤 What We Like Less:

• drinks not included in the menu

➡️ Book your dinner cruise with the Vedettes du Pont Neuf 

 

Paris en Scène, an Affordable Cruise With Parisian Bistro Fare

An affordable dinner cruise on the Seine is possible! And it’s offered every day of the week.

You will enjoy a meal inspired by French bistro traditions, comfortably seated in large leather armchairs.

After dinner, treat yourself to a breathtaking panoramic view of Paris’ landmarks from one of the boat’s three captivating terraces.

⌚ Schedule: 7:30 pm, 10:00 pm (duration: 1h45).

💰 Price:

• €62 for the Water formula
• €72 for the Wine formula (½ bottle of wine for two)
• €82 for the Champagne formula (½ bottle of champagne for two)

😍 What We Love:

• the value for money
• the comfortable leather armchairs
• the romantic atmosphere
• the friendly service
• the vegan/vegetarian options

🫤 What We Like Less:

• the lack of live performance
• the wait between courses can be long
• the insufficient portions

➡️ Book your dinner cruise with the Paris en Scène 

 

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Capitaine Fracasse, a Cozy Dinner Cruise on A Freshly Renovated Boat

The Capitaine Fracasse offers a cruise on the Seine aboard a freshly renovated boat, allowing you to discover the most beautiful Parisian monuments along the river.

Inside, passengers are seated in a contemporary and elegant setting, with an optimal view of the Seine from their table thanks to the large bay windows.

The menu offers gourmet dishes cooked on board with options for all tastes and budgets.

Well thought-out packages are available to suit all budgets and options are offered to enhance the cruise.

⌚ Schedule:

• Sunday to Friday: 8:45 PM (duration: 2 hours 15 minutes)
• Saturday: 6:15 PM (duration: 1 hour 45 minutes), 9:00 PM (duration: 2 hours 15 minutes)

💰 Price:

• €75 for the Fracasse formula (without drinks)
• €85 for the Amiral formula (welcome cocktail and ½ bottle of wine included)
• €95 for the Vinophile formula (75 cl of a superior wine for two)

😍 What We Love:

• the human-sized boat
• the welcoming and quality service
• the quality of the dishes
• the soft background music
• access to the rooftop and animation by the photographer
• vegan and gluten-free options

🫤 What We Like Less:

• the wait between the starter and the main course can be long
• the staff’s insistence on taking photos can be a bit too much.

➡️ Book your dinner cruise with the Capitaine Fracasse 

 

Don Juan II, Michelin-Star Dining On a Luxurious Parisian Yacht

Since 1991, Yachts de Paris allow you to discover the monuments of Paris in luxury.

They’re aiming for excellence.

The 7 yachts, all more splendid than the next, will welcome you in an elegant atmosphere but it is on the Don Juan II that you can have your dinner.

The cuisine, created by the Michelin-starred chef Frédéric Anton, is worthy of a three-star restaurant. You’ll definitely never want to leave the Don Juan II.

⌚ Schedule: 8:30 pm (duration: 2h).

💰 Price: fixed menu at €240 (drinks not included)

😍 We love:

• the extremely high-class ambiance
• the human-scale barge
• the atypical setting
• the menu worthy of a gourmet restaurant
• the originality of the dishes
• the discreet musical atmosphere

🫤 What We Like Less:

• the portions are sometimes too small
• drinks are not included in the menu

➡️ Book your dinner cruise on the Don Juan II 

 

Comparison Table of the Paris Dinner Cruises

 

Paris Dinner Cruise Booking Tips

Planning ahead is key when booking a memorable Paris River cruise. Follow these tips for an amazing hassle-free tour:

• Reserve Early: Popular cruises like Bateaux Mouches or intimate boats fill up weeks in advance, especially for peak summer months and weekends. Book your tickets at least 2-3 weeks out if possible. Last-minute trips could have limited days or times.
• Consider Group Size: Smaller barges like Le Calife or Don Juan II provide a more exclusive vibe. If traveling with more guests or kids, larger boats like Bateaux Parisiens accommodate bigger groups.
• Check Schedules: Evening illumination cruises to see monuments like the sparkling Eiffel Tower are stunning but shorter in length. Late evening departures allow you to dine at leisure while taking in the sights.
• Confirm Dress Code: While most Seine cruises have no formal dress code, shorts and flip-flops are best avoided. Business casual or smart casual attire creates the right vibe for these classy Parisian dinner events.
• Bring a Cover: Even in summer months, cool breezes can pick up at night on the open river. Having a light sweater, wrap or jacket ensures you stay comfortable admiring the views.
• Arrive Early: Aim to arrive 15-30 minutes before your cruise departure time to check-in, get settled at your table, and enjoy a pre-dinner drink on board