Paris: Cruise on The Canal Saint Martin and The Seine River

4.1 (294 reviews) 2 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

294 reviews

4.1

Paris: Cruise on The Canal Saint Martin and The Seine River — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Paris: Cruise on The Canal Saint Martin and The Seine River, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Discover two faces of Paris in a single relaxing cruise. Board near the iconic Hôtel du Nord by Place de la République and follow the leafy Canal Saint-Martin, with its picturesque locks, romantic footbridges and mysterious Bastille tunnel. Then glide out onto the Seine and watch Paris open up in front of you: Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, the Eiffel Tower and the UNESCO-listed riverbanks that hosted the Paris 2024 Olympic celebrations. With live commentary in English and French and a cosy bar on board, this cruise lets you experience both the “secret” and the iconic Paris in total comfort, without ever leaving your seat.

-Experience locks, swing bridges and a 2-km tunnel beneath the Bastille area

-Admire UNESCO-listed riverbanks and legendary monuments

-Take a moment to unwind on board with indoor and outdoor seating and a bar where you can buy snacks and drinks

-Enjoy a relaxed, family-friendly experience, ideal for first-time visitors and Paris lovers alike

Day Cruises Private and Luxury Historical Tours Water Tours Sightseeing Cruises Likely To Sell Out Best Conversion Top Product

At a glance

Duration: 2 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 100 people
People per booking: 1–30
Guide: English, French
Operated by: France Tourisme

Ages: Infants (0–4 years) · Children (5–11 years) · Adults (12–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Use of indoor and outdoor seating on board
Included: Bar on board
Included: Admire the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, the Musée d’Orsay, the Eiffel Tower and more.
Included: Live bilingual commentary (English and French)
Included: 2-hour sightseeing cruise on Canal Saint-Martin and the Seine River

Itinerary

Paris

Passing by

71 Quai de Valmy, 75010 Paris, France Start your journey along Canal Saint-Martin, a historic waterway lined with trees, iron footbridges and popular cafés. As you cruise past the famous Hôtel du Nord and the lively waterside terraces, your guide explains how the canal was created to bring fresh water to Paris and how this district became one of the city’s trendiest neighbourhoods.
Canal Saint-Martin

Passing by

Experience the unique feeling of passing through several locks, watching the water level rise and fall around the boat while the gates slowly open and close. This is the best moment to observe everyday canal life: locals on the quays, walkers crossing the iron footbridges and the contrast between old industrial buildings and today’s cafés and boutiques.

Continue towards the swing bridge, another distinctive feature of Canal Saint-Martin. As road traffic briefly stops to let the boat pass, your guide shares anecdotes about how the canal operates and its role in Parisian logistics and leisure.
Bastille

Passing by

Then enter the long underground tunnel beneath the Bastille area, a vaulted passage punctuated by shafts of daylight from above. The change of atmosphere is striking: the city noise disappears and you sail in near-silence under the historic streets of Paris. This hidden stretch of the canal is often one of the most surprising parts of the cruise.
Capitainerie du Port de l'Arsenal de la Bastille

Passing by

Emerging from the tunnel, the boat reaches the Port de l’Arsenal, a marina linking Canal Saint-Martin to the Seine. Here you can see houseboats and pleasure craft moored in the basin while your guide explains how this former commercial port has been transformed into a pleasant harbour and garden.
The Seine

Passing by

Joining the Seine River, the scenery opens up to postcard views. Sail alongside Île Saint-Louis, with its elegant 17th-century façades, and enjoy a first glimpse of Île de la Cité, the historic heart of Paris. From the water you can fully appreciate the curve of the river and the city’s famous bridges.
Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris

Passing by

As the boat continues along the UNESCO-listed riverbanks, your guide points out many of Paris’s most iconic monuments: Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Conciergerie, the Louvre museum, the Tuileries gardens, the Orsay Museum and the Eiffel Tower. From the open deck you can take unobstructed photos of these landmarks and hear stories about their history, architecture and role in the life of the city.
4th Arr. - Hotel-de-Ville

Passing by

You will pass the ornate Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) and the lively riverside promenades. Here you really feel local life along the Seine, with people strolling, chatting and enjoying the evening by the water.
Louvre Museum

Passing by

Further west, the immense façade of the Louvre Museum stretches along the river, facing the domed Institut de France on the Left Bank. Between them, the Pont des Arts footbridge offers one of the best viewpoints in Paris – from the boat you can see all three in a single glance.
Pont Alexandre III

Passing by

You then pass under Pont Alexandre III, one of the most beautiful bridges in Paris with its golden statues and Art Nouveau lamps. Nearby you’ll see the glass roof of the Grand Palais and, on the Left Bank, the golden dome of Les Invalides, where Napoleon is buried.
Eiffel Tower

Passing by

The Eiffel Tower comes into full view, rising above the Trocadéro and the Champ de Mars. In the evening she is lit up, and if you’re there at the right time, you’ll see her sparkling – the moment everyone waits for, with Champagne glasses raised and cameras ready.
Ile de la Cite

Passing by

The cruise ends at Quai de l’Horloge, on Île de la Cité near Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in Paris. From here you are perfectly placed to continue exploring on foot: wander through the Latin Quarter, cross to the Right Bank, visit Sainte-Chapelle or simply enjoy a drink on a nearby terrace before heading back to your hotel.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Boarding point: 71-79 Quai de Valmy, 75010 Paris

Nearest / recommended metro station: République — lines 3, 5, 8, 9 and 11

End point

Opposite 19 Quai de l'Horloge, on Île de la Cité (subway: Pont Neuf)

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.