The Seine in Paris at a glance
The city counts 37 bridges over the Seine inside Paris, spread along 13 km of river. Pont Neuf is the oldest of them, despite its name. The banks of the Seine have been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1991. The river is a working waterway, a walking route, a cruise route and, in summer, a place to swim at three marked sites.
This guide covers the river from the water and from the bank: one-hour sightseeing cruises, dinner cruises, evening rides, the hop-on hop-off Batobus, the bridges, bathing, the riverside paths, the bouquinistes, Île Saint-Louis, the Musée d'Orsay, the Eiffel Tower from the water, Giverny and the best time to go. It is an independent site. It is not run by the City of Paris, a boat company, a museum or a hotel. Prices are in euros as listed in 2026, and they change.
Three ways onto the water
Adult prices in 2026. Each row is a different kind of trip.
| Option | Length | Adult price 2026 | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-hour sightseeing cruise | About 1 hour | €15 to €20 | A first look at the river, by day or in the evening |
| Dinner cruise | 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes | €90 to €245 | A set menu on the water |
| Batobus hop-on hop-off | About 1 hour 45 minutes for the full loop | €23 for 24 hours | Getting between the sights by boat; no night service |
The sightseeing range covers three operators with different departure points. The dinner range covers the regular dinners of two operators and is not a full market range. Details are on the pages for cruises, dinner cruises and the Batobus.
Our picks: Seine tours
A cruise from the Eiffel Tower, an evening trip with music and a dinner cruise.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Panoramic dinner cruise
105 minutes with a starter, main course, dessert and mineral water. Check the option for other drinks.
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Evening cruise with music
An electric boat with a music playlist and a glass of champagne, wine or beer if you pick that option. There is no live guide, and food is not included.
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One-hour Seine cruise from the Eiffel Tower
A one-hour cruise with commentary through a smartphone app in 11 languages. Drinks and snacks are not included.
Check availability →Seine cruises and tours in Paris
Sightseeing cruises, dinner cruises and day trips from Paris, with live prices and availability.
Plan your time on the Seine
Pick the page that matches what you want to do.
Seine river cruises
Day and evening boats, three departure points, prices and timetables.
Dinner cruises
Early and late services, menu categories, dress code and 2026 prices.
Night cruises
Evening departures and how the Eiffel Tower sparkle works.
The Batobus
Nine stops, 24-hour and 48-hour passes and winter hours.
Bridges of Paris
Pont Neuf, Pont Alexandre III, Pont des Arts and more.
Swimming in the Seine
Three bathing sites, the rules and the flags.
Riverbanks and bouquinistes
Walks, Paris Plages and the green book boxes.
Île Saint-Louis
A quiet island walk next to the Île de la Cité.
Musée d'Orsay
Hours, prices and how to arrive by boat or train.
Eiffel Tower cruises
Boats from the tower piers and how to get there.
Giverny from Paris
Monet's garden: season, tickets and the way by train.
Best time for the Seine
Monthly weather and what high water can change.
Where to stay by the Seine
Areas near the piers and the 2026 overnight tax.
Good to know before you go
What to know before you plan your time on the river.
Swimming is allowed only at marked sites
Since July 2025 you can swim at Bras Marie, Grenelle and Bercy, in season and during the hours posted. Everywhere else in the river, swimming stays forbidden. The 2026 season has ended and the sites return next summer.
Swimming guide →"From €9" is a child's fare
A headline price of €9 on a cruise is the child fare. Adults pay €18 online for the one-hour ride from the Eiffel Tower, against a struck-through €20.
Cruise prices →The Batobus is not part of Navigo
You need a Batobus pass. A Navigo pass may give you a reduced price, but it does not replace the ticket.
Passes and stops →The tower sparkle has no fixed end time
After dark the Eiffel Tower sparkles for 5 minutes at the start of every full hour. The last sparkle falls between 11 p.m. and midnight, and in high season it can run later. Do not plan around one exact time.
Night cruises →Monet's garden is seasonal
The house and gardens in Giverny are open from 1 April to 1 November 2026. Outside those dates a day trip makes little sense.
Giverny guide →UNESCO covers the banks, not each stall
The listing from 1991 is "Paris, Banks of the Seine". The bouquinistes' tradition has been part of France's intangible cultural heritage since 2019, which is a separate recognition.
Riverbanks →A single metro, train or RER ticket costs €2.55 in 2026 and lets you change lines for up to 2 hours without leaving the network. Bus and tram tickets are separate at €2.05.
Beyond the river
Two big sights have their own guides.
The Louvre stands on the right bank, next to the Pont Royal. For tickets, hours and highlights, see the Louvre guide. The cathedral of Notre-Dame stands on the Île de la Cité, the island in the middle of the river, and the Notre-Dame guide covers visits and reservations. This site stays on the water and the banks.
More independent guides to Paris
Separate guides from the same team, each focused on one Paris landmark.
The Seine: frequently asked questions
What is the best way to see the Seine?
A one-hour sightseeing cruise gives the quickest overview, and the Batobus lets you hop on and off at nine stops. On foot, the riverside paths and bridges show the river at your own pace. The cruise page compares the boats.
How much does a Seine cruise cost?
The one-hour sightseeing rides listed for 2026 cost €15 to €20 for adults, depending on the operator and the ticket. Regular dinner cruises run from €90 to €245. Prices change, so check the booking page for your date. See dinner cruises.
Can I swim in the Seine?
Only at the three marked sites, Bras Marie, Grenelle and Bercy, and only in season during the posted hours. Swimming outside these zones is forbidden. The swimming page lists the rules and flags.
Is the Batobus included in a Navigo pass?
No. The Batobus sells its own passes: €23 for 24 hours and €27 for 48 hours for adults in 2026. A Navigo pass can reduce the price for some holders. More on the Batobus page.
When is the best time for a Seine cruise?
Boats run all year, with shorter hours in winter. Summer is warmer, but rain falls in every month. High water can change a boat's route. See best time for monthly averages.
Is seine-river.org run by the city or a boat company?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to the City of Paris, a boat operator, a museum, a restaurant or a hotel.