Top Dinner Cruises on Seine River (Paris): Full Comparison

Enjoying a dinner on a boat while sailing on the Seine is a unique way to visit Paris and taste some French cuisine at the same time. It’s a fantastic experience that everyone loves.

But several boat companies offer different experiences and different food experiences… Which one to choose?

To help you make your choice, I have compared the best dinner cruises on the Seine.

Warning: these choices only reflect my personal opinion!

 

In Short

For those in a hurry, here are the best dinner cruises in each category:

 

⭐️ The reliable (but quickly fully-booked) options:

• Bateaux-Mouches: Live music, excellent menu, vegan and children’s options, 60 years of know-how.
• Les Bateaux Parisiens: Relaxed chic atmosphere, choice of seating, refined menu, live music, you can’t go wrong.

 

⭐️ The most romantic dinner cruises:

• Bateaux-Mouches: Possibility to reserve the perfect spot on the boat for an intimate moment of quality. Live music also creates a true atmosphere.
• Don Juan II: Only about twenty tables and service worthy of a starred restaurant.

 

⭐️ The most luxurious dinner cruises:

• Don Juan II: Refinement, cuisine, luxury, atmosphere and comfort… the top of the top.
• Ducasse sur Seine: THE gourmet dinner cruise by Alain Ducasse.

 

⭐️ The cheapest dinner cruises (that are still worth it!):

• Capitaine Fracasse: Classy and affordable, excellent reviews.
• Paris en Scène: The cheapest and far to be the worst.
• Le Calife: Good cuisine, beautiful atmosphere, beautiful decor, stained glass dating back to the late 18th century…

Now let’s go into detail about each dinner cruise on the Seine.

 

Bateaux-Mouches

Bateaux-Mouches is a registered trademark that has been around for over 60 years.

Originally, the name referred to boats that transported goods, and it was during the 1867 Universal Exhibition that some boats began to accept passengers on board.

You will discover the main monuments of the capital: the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame-de-Paris, the City Hall, the Musée d’Orsay… so many romantic places for your dinner on the Seine.

⌚ Schedule: 8:30pm (duration: 2h15)

💰 Price:

• €115 for the “Prestige” menu (aperitif, starter, main course, dessert, drink)
• €155 for the “Excellence” menu (window seat, aperitif, champagne, starter, main course, cheese, dessert, drink)

You can also enjoy special events:

• New Year’s Eve: €460/person (from 20:30 until 02:00, band and singer)
• Christmas: €110

😍 We like:

• the large windows
• the live music that creates a great atmosphere
• the food is delicious, refined, and worthy of a high-end restaurant
• the vegan options
• the wine included even in the cheapest package

🫤 We like less:

• Saturdays are often booked weeks in advance
• the portions could be larger

Note: Book in advance. Especially if you want to come on a Saturday, you should do so several weeks or even months in advance.

➡️ Book your dinner cruise with Bateaux Mouches 🔥HIGH DEMAND

 

Bateaux Parisiens

You can board the Bateaux Parisiens next to the Eiffel Tower or Notre-Dame. Their main point is their enormous glass panes offering a panoramic view of Paris.

Whether you’re on the Onyx, the Diamant II, or any other of their boats, the Bateaux Parisiens will serve you the most famous monuments in Paris such as the Eiffel Tower, the Invalides, the Louvre and many more on a silver platter.

⌚ Schedule:

• 6:15pm (duration: 1h15)
• 8:30pm (duration: 2h30)

💰 Price: 

• Dinner Cruise 6:15pm (1h15): €89 for Dinner Etoile, €119 for Dinner Privilege, €149 for Dinner Premier.
• Dinner Cruise 8:30pm (2h30): €109 for Dinner Etoile, €139 for Dinner Découverte, €179 for Dinner Privilege, €215 for Dinner Premier.

You can also enjoy special events:

• July 14th (National Day): €159 for the Excellence service (panoramic view)
• New Year’s Eve: €430/person

😍 We like:

• the fully glazed boats
• French cuisine
• the casual chic atmosphere
• the musical entertainment
• a children’s menu at €34.

🫤 We like less:

• few availabilities
• the (too) short (1h15) and (too) early (at 6:15 pm) route

Note: Les Bateaux Parisiens can be difficult to book, so don’t wait until the last minute, especially if it’s for a Saturday (which can sometimes be fully booked 1 or 2 months in advance).

➡️ Book your dinner cruise with Bateaux Parisiens  🔥HIGH DEMAND

 

Paris Seine

The boats offered by Paris Seine will delight you with their elegant and intimate decoration.

You will be able to enjoy high-quality food while admiring the main monuments of Paris, as the route starts at the foot of the Musée d’Orsay.

⌚ Schedule:

• 6:15pm (duration: 1h15)
• 8:30pm (duration: 2h30)

💰 Price: 

• Dinner Cruise 6:45pm (1h15): €85
• Dinner Cruise 9:15pm (2h): €100 without drinks, €119 with drinks, €130 for VIP drinks, €165 for Romantic package.

You can also enjoy special events:

• July 14th (National Day): €149 special menu

😍 We like:

• the 9:15 pm trip to see the Eiffel Tower illuminated
• the French cuisine
• the children’s menu for €35
• the vegetarian menu
• a larger menu
• the number of additional options

🫤 We like less:

• the price for additional options (glass window option €15/person)
• drinks not included in the €65 and €75 menus
• no live music

➡️ Book your dinner cruise with Paris Seine

 

Le Diamant bleu

Discover the magic of “Paris by night” aboard the Blue Diamond and savor a gourmet dinner while admiring the breathtaking views of the city’s iconic monuments.

Enjoy a 2.5-hour cruise along the Seine with a choice of starter, main course, and dessert, all prepared by the talented Chef Mohamed Gamara and his team.

Enjoy live entertainment with singers and a DJ.

⌚ Schedule: 8:30 pm (2.5 hour)

💰 Price:

• €89 Gourmet Dinner Cruise Formula
• €129 Sparkling Gourmet Dinner Cruise Formula (1/2 bottle of champagne/wine per person)

😍 We like:

• the terrace on the upper deck
• the Lounge and live music atmosphere. The performance of the musicians and the singer is incredible.
• friendly and helpful staff

🫤 We like less:

• music a bit loud to have a conversation
• some tables a bit too close to each other

➡️ Book your dinner cruise with Le Diamant Bleu 

 

Calife

The Calife, whose personnel clearly seems to treat you as a pasha combines two opposite aspects: a both sumptuous and friendly atmosphere.

Whether it is the music, the decor and, obviously, the Parisian monuments to admire, you will definitely not be in want.

⌚ Schedule: 8:45 pm (duration: 2h).

💰 Price: 

• Calife menu priced at €67/adult without drinks (welcome cocktail, starter, main course, dessert)
• Royal menu priced at €109/adult (welcome cocktail, starter, main course, dessert, wine, champagne)
• Children’s menu called Les Petits Matelos priced at €45 (starter, main course, dessert)

😍 We like:

• the barge is pretty, typical and quite small
• outdoor pontoon to admire Paris
• retractable roof to see Paris under the stars in the open air
• there are vegetarian options

🫤 We like less:

• some tables are close to each other

➡️ Book your dinner cruise with Le Calife

 

Restaurant Ducasse sur Seine

 

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Une publication partagée par Ducasse sur Seine (@ducassesurseine)

Now you can enjoy the excellence of chef Alain Ducasse on the Seine. Since 2018 it is possible to take a (gastronomic) dinner cruise on board the Ducasse sur Seine.

Beyond a simple cruise, Alain Ducasse offers you a real experience on board an electric boat. A silent trip around the historical and remarkable sites of Paris.

⌚ Schedule: 8:30 pm (duration: 2h).

💰 Price:

• €160 for the 4-course menu (excluding drinks).
• €200 for the 5-course menu (excluding drinks).
• €305 for the 5-course menu & wine pairing.

😍 We like:

• the only eco-friendly dinner cruise (100% electric)
• the silence of the boat
• the high-level gastronomic cuisine
• over 100 wine references
• the valet parking service (€15)

🫤 We like less:

• drinks not included in the menu (glass of wine is expensive).

➡️ Book your dinner cruise with Ducasse sur Seine

 

Vedettes du Pont Neuf

Initially founded in 1959 with no less than four boats, the Vedettes du Pont Neuf have been welcoming travelers who want to visit Paris in a tasteful atmosphere.

As such, under the lights of the Eiffel Tower and other famous monuments, you will be able to enjoy a meal worthy of French gastronomy.

⌚ Schedule: 8:30 pm (duration: 2h).

💰 Price: €79 for the menu (excluding drinks): Earth Menu, Sea Menu, Vegetarian Menu

😍 We like:

• the terrace
• the beautiful 2h00 trip
• the French cuisine
• there is a vegetarian menu
• Background music: French classics

🫤 We like less:

• drinks not included in the menu

➡️ Book your dinner cruise with the Vedettes du Pont Neuf 

 

Paris en Scène

An affordable dinner cruise on the Seine is possible! And it’s offered every day of the week.

You will enjoy a meal inspired by French bistro traditions, comfortably seated in large leather armchairs.

After dinner, treat yourself to a breathtaking panoramic view of Paris’ landmarks from one of the boat’s three captivating terraces.

⌚ Schedule: 7:30 pm, 10:00 pm (duration: 1h45).

💰 Price:

• €60 for the Water formula
• €70 for the Wine formula (½ bottle of wine for two)
• €80 for the Champagne formula (½ bottle of champagne for two)

😍 We like:

• the value for money
• the comfortable leather armchairs
• the romantic atmosphere
• the friendly service
• the vegan/vegetarian options

🫤 We like less:

• the lack of music the wait between courses can be long
• the insufficient portions

➡️ Book your dinner cruise with the Paris en Scène 

 

Capitaine Fracasse

The Capitaine Fracasse offers a cruise on the Seine aboard a freshly renovated boat, allowing you to discover the most beautiful Parisian monuments along the river.

Inside, passengers are seated in a contemporary and elegant setting, with an optimal view of the Seine from their table thanks to the large bay windows.

The menu offers gourmet dishes cooked on board with options for all tastes and budgets.

Well thought-out packages are available to suit all budgets and options are offered to enhance the cruise.

⌚ Schedule:

• Sunday to Friday: 8:45 PM (duration: 2 hours 15 minutes)
• Saturday: 6:15 PM (duration: 1 hour 45 minutes), 9:00 PM (duration: 2 hours 15 minutes)

💰 Price:

• €74 for the Fracasse formula (without drinks)
• €84 for the Amiral formula (welcome cocktail and ½ bottle of wine included)
• €94 for the Vinophile formula (75 cl of a superior wine for two)

😍 We like:

• the human-sized boat
• the welcoming and quality service
• the quality of the dishes
• the soft background music
• access to the rooftop and animation by the photographer
• vegan and gluten-free options

🫤 We like less:

• the wait between the starter and the main course can be long
• the staff’s insistence on taking photos can be a bit too much.

➡️ Book your dinner cruise with the Capitaine Fracasse 

 

Don Juan II (Yachts de Paris)

Since 1991, Yachts de Paris allow you to discover the monuments of Paris in luxury.

They’re aiming for excellence.

The 7 yachts, all more splendid than the next, will welcome you in an elegant atmosphere but it is on the Don Juan II that you can have your dinner.

The cuisine, created by the Michelin-starred chef Frédéric Anton, is worthy of a three-star restaurant. You’ll definitely never want to leave the Don Juan II.

⌚ Schedule: 8:30 pm (duration: 2h).

💰 Price: fixed menu at €240 (drinks not included)

😍 We love:

• the extremely high-class ambiance
• the human-scale barge
• the atypical setting
• the menu worthy of a gourmet restaurant
• the originality of the dishes
• the discreet musical atmosphere

🫤 We like less:

• the portions are sometimes too small
• drinks are not included in the menu

➡️ Book your dinner cruise on the Don Juan II 

 

Comparison Table of the Seine River Dinner Cruises