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

250 Reviews 4.28 out of 5 stars Based on 250 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor | Paris, France
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 30 (16) days in advance.

2 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
and 1 more
French
Instant confirmation

Overview

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

What's Included

  • Use of indoor and outdoor seating on board
  • Bar on board
  • From 17/10 to 01/11: Halloween decorations, free kids masks, and a Halloween Box available on board.
    See 3 moreSee 1 more

    Meeting Location

    Meeting point

    71 Quai de Valmy
    75010 Paris, France

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    Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

    End point

    19 Quai de l'Horloge
    75001 Paris, France

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

    What To Expect

    Book Online

    Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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    Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free

    Paris (pass 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.
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    Canal Saint-Martin (pass 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.
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    Bastille (pass 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.
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    Capitainerie du Port de l'Arsenal de la Bastille (pass 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.
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    Seine River (pass 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.
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    Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris (pass 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.
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    4th Arr. - Hotel-de-Ville (pass 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.
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    Louvre Museum (pass 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.
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    Pont Alexandre III (pass 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.
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    Eiffel Tower (pass 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.
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    Ile de la Cite (pass 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.
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    Show 10 more stops

    Additional Info

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Duration of the cruise: approximately 2 hour
    • During the Halloween period (17 October – 1 November), our boat is specially decorated and every child gets a free coloring mask, with our Halloween Box available for purchase on board.
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 100 travelers

    Frequently Asked Questions (9)

    Q: Will I get seasick on Paris: Cruise on The Canal Saint Martin and The Seine River?

    A: If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy. Read more Feb 2023

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

    Still have questions?

    We're here to help.
    Activity code: C-9511P46

    Traveler Photos

    Reviews

    4.28
    250 reviews

    Average 4.28 out of 5 stars based on 250 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

    5 stars
    151
    4 stars
    56
    3 stars
    19
    2 stars
    9
    1 star
    15
    Don't miss out!
    On average, this is booked 30 (16) days in advance.

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    What's Included

    Activity name

    • Use of indoor and outdoor seating on board
    • Bar on board
    • From 17/10 to 01/11: Halloween decorations, free kids masks, and a Halloween Box available on board.
    • Admire the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, the Musée d’Orsay, the Eiffel Tower and more.
    • Live bilingual commentary (English and French)
    • 2-hour sightseeing cruise on Canal Saint-Martin and the Seine River

    Additional Info

    Activity name

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult
    • Duration of the cruise: approximately 2 hour
    • During the Halloween period (17 October – 1 November), our boat is specially decorated and every child gets a free coloring mask, with our Halloween Box available for purchase on board.
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 100 travelers

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    Activity name