I'm not sure that it makes a big difference which company you choose, though I like Les Vedettes du Pont-Neuf, if you mean a non-dinner cruise. It's a smaller company. A bit more of a family feel at boatside.
Otherwise, keep in mind that it can be quite a bit cooler at night on the Seine than on land. Dress accordingly.
Part of the fun of the night cruise is the opportunity to peek into lit-up Seine-side apartments. Don't tell anyone I do that!
Part of the fun of the night cruise is the opportunity to peek into lit-up Seine-side apartments. Don't tell anyone I do that!
Hah! I thought that was you!
We recently spent three weeks in an apartment overlooking the Seine, Susan, and were startled by the bright lights the cruise boats shine on and into the buildings along the river. They lit up our living room like an operating room.
We prebooked Les Vedettes du Pont-Neuf online and saved quite a bit of money. We just went on the cruise April 6th. It was magical and we truly loved every minute. Oh.......it started to lightly snow during our cruise which was kind of neat too!
Last April we also did the Vedettes cruise. The boat we were going to go on was very crowded so we opted to wait for the next one that was smaller and prettier. They were running every half hour, so we only waited 10 minutes before boarding and snagging a good seat!
[quote]Part of the fun of the night cruise is the opportunity to peek into lit-up Seine-side apartments.
We leave next week and I printed out the coupon for €2 off per person. With it staying light so late, I guess we won't be able to see those lit-up apartments...boohoo!
Sharon J
Posts: 624 | Location: Houston, TX USA | Registered: 01 November 2003
Yikes, I just realized we'll be in Paris the second week of June, at almost the longest days of the year. Just when does it get dark in Paris (we're flirting with 9 pm here in southern Michigan).
Pat, if I recall, we were walking along the Seine at 10:15 in June, and it was just starting to get dark.
We "pre-booked" a boat tour before our trip last September. I can't remember which one though, but we basically bought and printed out the tickets on the internet, saving money, but we could use them whenever we showed up.
I'm hoping Shannon/Colleen will remember which company we used and chime in.
The Vedettes du Pont Neuf Web site shows a 10:30 p.m. departure. Next week, it should be close to full dark at that time. Also, the company offers a 4 euro discount if you purchase tickets via the Internet.
As for the dinner cruise, there's the very good-valued Capitaine Fracasse dinner cruisewhich departs from near the Eiffel Tower at the Bir-Hakeim bridge (on the island actually), the one with the metro on it. It costs 50 Euro, dinner included and lasts 2 hours. If you do it, go to the roof deck when you're near Saint-Michel and Notre Dame, the view is gorgeous...
Part of the fun of the night cruise is the opportunity to peek into lit-up Seine-side apartments. Don't tell anyone I do that!
HiP David, I totally share your voyeurism.
However I would not recommend the cruise dinners. In my experience they have been invariably bad. For that kind of price, one could eat excellently on land.
We did the dinner cruise back in 2001 and were blown away by the whole scene and the food was pretty good. Not foodie good, but no one expects fine dining do they? All the best chefs are busy on dry land in Paris, I'm sure! As for price: it was expensive, especially since I sprung for seating in the bow which was a little more due to the view (180 degress) and fewer patrons. And it was romantic, which is what we we wanted.
The band was good, the dancing was frenetic and the sites were extraordinary, especially when the boat went round and round the mini Statue of Liberty on a small isle in the Seine, while the band played God Bless America.
Posts: 444 | Location: New Hampshire | Registered: 12 September 2006
I think I've taken Vedettes the last 3 times I've been in Paris. The commentary is just okay, but I really enjoy the boat ride at sunset or just after dark. There are always interesting sights...I too am a window peeper! The best view is from the top deck, and I even endured the freezing cold up top in late November and enjoyed every moment.
Posts: 99 | Location: San Diego area | Registered: 16 March 2006
There's an interesting article about the various boat tours available in the latest Secrets of Paris newsletter, which refers to some alternatives that I'd never heard of before.
I recently did a champagne tour with O Chateau which took place in the evening. We were seated up front in a private cabin of a tour boat. It was great sipping champagne and watching Paris roll by.
