Where Eiffel Tower cruises leave
The Eiffel Tower stands on the Left Bank, and most boats do not start at its foot. Bateaux Parisiens leaves from Port de la Bourdonnais, right beside the tower, at Ponton 3. Its sightseeing cruise lasts 1 hour, makes no stops and returns to the same pier. Other cruises start elsewhere: Bateaux-Mouches at Port de la Conférence by the Pont de l'Alma, and Vedettes du Pont Neuf at the Square du Vert-Galant, below the Pont Neuf.
The tower ascent is not part of a standard cruise. The boat shows you the tower from the water. Going up needs a separate ticket for the tower itself.
Three sightseeing cruises compared
Standard sightseeing cruises, adult and child prices in 2026. Check the price for your date at checkout.
| Operator | Departure | Length | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bateaux Parisiens | Port de la Bourdonnais, Ponton 3 | 1 hour, audio guide | €18 online | €9, ages 4 to 11; under 4 free |
| Bateaux-Mouches | Port de la Conférence, Pont de l'Alma | About 1 hour | €20, some web offers from €17 | €10, ages 4 to 12; under 4 free |
| Vedettes du Pont Neuf | Square du Vert-Galant | 1 hour, day and evening | €15 timed e-ticket, €17 on site | €7 online, €9 on site |
Only the Bateaux Parisiens cruise begins and ends beside the tower. For the other two, check the route description before you book.
Our picks: from the Eiffel Tower
Cruises that start at the tower, and one option that adds lift access.
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.
Eiffel Tower by lift plus a Seine cruise
Reserved lift access to the first and second floors with a tower guide, then a one-hour cruise. Summit access only if you book that option; tips and food are extra.
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Illuminations cruise from the Eiffel Tower
One hour with an audio guide in 14 languages and an app with commentary, photo filters and games. Drinks and snacks are not included.
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Seine cruise with a crêpe
One hour past the landmarks with an audio guide in 14 languages and one fresh crêpe. The ticket is valid for one month.
Check availability →Eiffel Tower and Seine cruises
Sightseeing and evening cruises past the Eiffel Tower, with live prices and availability.
Getting to the tower pier
Port de la Bourdonnais is a short walk from three stations.
Metro and RER
Bir-Hakeim (Metro line 6), Trocadéro (Metro line 9) and Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel (RER C) are the stops the operator names. A Metro, train or RER ticket costs €2.55 in 2026 and is valid for up to 2 hours without leaving the network. It does not cover the Batobus.
Batobus guide →By car
Parking at the pier is paid and limited. Coaches have priority. In October 2026 the rate for cars and taxis was €8 for one hour, €16 for two hours, then €2 per 15 minutes. The public car park at the Musée du Quai Branly is the alternative. No space is guaranteed. Central Paris also has a traffic zone that bans through traffic, while driving to a destination is allowed.
By Batobus
The Tour Eiffel is one of 9 Batobus stops. A 24-hour pass costs €23 for adults and €13 for children aged 4 to 11 in 2026. There are no night departures, so it suits daytime views, not the sparkle.
The evening sparkle
The tower lights up with flashing lights for a few minutes each hour after dark.
How it works
After dark the tower sparkles for 5 minutes at the start of every full hour. If darkness falls at 7:40 p.m., the first sparkle is at 8 p.m. There is no fixed first time for the whole year, because it follows the light.
The last sparkle
The last sparkle falls somewhere between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m., depending on the season. Do not plan around a fixed last time. Check the evening you travel.
Timing your boat
A departure time does not tell you where the boat is at the full hour. No operator promises to be in front of the tower during a sparkle. Pick a cruise that is on the water at the hour and enjoy the tower either way. For the evening in detail, see the night cruise guide.
Dinner with the tower in view
Bateaux Parisiens runs an early dinner service from 6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. from €99 and a late one from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. from €115, with check-in at Ponton 5 or 7. Bateaux-Mouches sails from 8:30 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. from €99. Smart clothes are required, with no shorts, flip-flops or sportswear. See the dinner cruise guide.
Timetables by season
Schedules change with the season and gaps are common, so check the day you travel.
| Operator | Period | Departures |
|---|---|---|
| Bateaux Parisiens | 28 September to 1 November 2026 | From 10:00. Last at 22:00 Monday to Thursday and Sunday, 22:30 Friday and Saturday |
| Bateaux Parisiens | 2 November to 18 December 2026 | Monday to Thursday 10:30 to 21:40 in single departures. Friday from 10:30, last at 22:00. Weekends and holidays are listed separately |
| Bateaux-Mouches | April to October | Daily 10:00 to 22:00, every 30 minutes. An extra 22:30 departure on Saturdays in October |
| Bateaux-Mouches | November to March | 10:15 to 21:30, every 45 minutes. School holidays differ |
The Bateaux Parisiens plan has longer gaps and is not a regular half-hour service. For the plain sightseeing cruise at Bateaux-Mouches you do not have to reserve for a group under 150 people. The operator suggests buying 15 to 20 minutes before the departure you want, and its tickets stay valid for a year.
When the Seine runs high, a captain can change the route to match the water level, and the authorities can restrict navigation. From 4 July to 30 August 2026 special navigation rules applied around the new bathing sites. More in the best time guide.
Eiffel Tower cruise: frequently asked questions
Where does the Eiffel Tower cruise start?
The Bateaux Parisiens cruise starts at Port de la Bourdonnais, Ponton 3, beside the tower, and returns there. Other sightseeing cruises start at the Pont de l'Alma or below the Pont Neuf.
How long is an Eiffel Tower cruise?
The standard sightseeing cruises last about 1 hour. Dinner cruises take 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes, depending on the service.
How much does an Eiffel Tower cruise cost?
Standard cruises cost between €15 and €20 for adults in 2026, and between €7 and €10 for children. Some web offers go lower, so compare the price at checkout.
Can I go up the tower on the cruise?
No. The standard cruise does not include a tower ascent. The tower is booked separately.
Does the boat stop in front of the tower during the sparkle?
There is no promise of that. The sparkle follows its own schedule after dark, and the boat follows a timetable. Choose a departure that puts you on the water at the full hour.
Do I need to book in advance?
For the plain sightseeing cruise at Bateaux-Mouches, groups under 150 people need no reservation. Dinner cruises must be reserved.