Seine River night cruise
What the boat adds to the day
There’s nothing about the 158 here, and I’d rather say so upfront. The Hôtel André is in the 8th arrondissement, far from the Seine. The cruise is another side of Paris—its quayside, seen from the water at night. It fits perfectly into a trip built around the Second Empire and the Belle Époque because everything visible from the deck—the Eiffel Tower, the bridges, the Orsay façade that was once a train station—belongs to the same half-century as the house on Boulevard Haussmann. It’s an evening experience, not a visit.
The itinerary and logistics
Departure is from Port de la Bourdonnais, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, in the 7th arrondissement. The boat has an open upper deck and a heated, glass-enclosed lower deck: you choose between the cold and the view or the warmth and the windows. The cruise lasts between 70 and 90 minutes depending on the time slot and passes by the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, the Louvre, Orsay, and the illuminated bridges. A crêpe or ice cream is offered as an option, as is a souvenir postcard. Meals, transfers, and tips are not included.
The 4.3 rating is based on over 4,400 reviews, making it reliable, and it’s the lowest in my selection. The criticisms aren’t about the Seine itself but about the port, boarding, and crowds on board. Kalissia, in August 2026, sums up the positive side: « everything was beautiful and perfect, a lovely route ». The less happy side involves people struggling to find the right dock, waiting while standing, and finding the open deck already full. Arrive early, scout the port before dark if possible, and don’t expect a front-row seat.
Don’t pair it with an opera evening
Only one real rule applies. The evening in the salons ends at 10:45 p.m. on Boulevard Haussmann. Port de la Bourdonnais is in the 7th arrondissement. You can’t do both. If you want La Traviata and the boat ride, plan two separate evenings—and save the cruise for the night you have nothing else. On Fridays, it pairs well with the museum’s late opening until 10 p.m., provided you visit the museum first in the late afternoon and then head to the port afterward.
What works
- A great balance of duration and enjoyment, according to thousands of reviews
- The glass-enclosed lower deck makes the cruise possible even in cold weather
- The illuminated monuments on both the Left and Right Banks in an hour and a half
- Fits into any evening of your stay
Things to know
- 4.3-star rating, the lowest in my selection
- The port, boarding process, and crowds on board are common complaints
- No connection to the museum—it’s in a completely different area
- Meals, transfers and tips not included
To get to the port from 158, the easiest way is the RER A to Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile or a taxi ; allow plenty of time. And if you attended the opera the night before, get some sleep : the boat sails every evening, but the André hotel’s salons are only open at night until December 19. The dates are available on all bookings.
Book the cruise
For the day before, the Palais Garnier in the morning and the museum in the afternoon are just a 15-minute walk apart. The full museum schedule, including late openings, is available on opening times.
Frequently asked questions
Can you attend the opera in the salons and the cruise on the same evening?
No. The opera ends at 10:45 p.m. on boulevard Haussmann, and the boat departs from the 7th arrondissement. Plan two separate evenings. The opera evening schedule is on the opera in the salons page.
Where does the boat depart from?
From Port de la Bourdonnais, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, in the 7th arrondissement. It's not near the museum. From 158, the RER A to Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile is the easiest option—see getting there by metro.
Why is the rating lower than other products ?
Because 4,405 reviews smooth everything out, and the complaints are about boarding and the crowd on board, not the cruise itself. I address them in the full review.
Is the cruise available in winter ?
Yes, the lower deck is glass-enclosed. The open deck remains the best spot for views, and the coldest. For the rest of your day in Paris in winter, the museum is open every day—see the best time to visit.