Bateaux Parisiens
Easy logistics from Port de la Bourdonnais. 4.4 from 90,390 reviews, $21.
Two piers at the Tower's foot
Live prices checked 12 Sep 2026
- 2 piersBourdonnais & Suffren, at the Tower
- 3–4 hAllow for Tower + cruise together
- From $80Cheapest Tower + cruise combo
- Tower firstBook the timed ticket before the boat
Your Eiffel Tower Time Slot Decides the Rest of the Day
You can also buy combination tickets, cruise at sunset, take a night trip or upgrade to champagne or dinner. The best choice depends mainly on your Eiffel Tower time slot and whether you want to see Paris in daylight, sunset or after dark.
Everything else — which operator, which side of the boat, which seat — matters far less than most people expect, and we say so plainly below rather than manufacturing a decision out of it.
The short answer
- Book the Eiffel Tower first. Its timed tickets, especially the summit, are far more constrained than Seine cruises.
- Then fit the cruise around it — Tower first, cruise afterwards is the easiest order for most visitors.
- Two operators board at the Tower: Bateaux Parisiens at Port de la Bourdonnais, Vedettes de Paris at Port de Suffren.
- A combo ticket buys convenience, not a big saving — and usually includes the second floor, not the summit.
Check Availability for the Cruise That Leaves From the Tower
The simplest way to add a boat to an Eiffel Tower day: walk down from the Tower and board at the pier below it. Pick a date and time.
Port de la Bourdonnais · at the Tower's foot
90,000+ reviews
Port de la Bourdonnais · at the Tower's foot
Paris: 1-Hour Seine Cruise departing from the Eiffel Tower
Why this one: it is the cruise this page's logistics argument is built on — the pier is a short walk down from the Tower, so no transport sits between the two attractions. It is also the most-reviewed Seine cruise on the river at 4.4/5 from 90,390 reviews, which makes the experience about as predictable as a Paris attraction gets.
One hour, standard central route, audio commentary through the onboard guide or an interactive web app covering Notre-Dame and the rest. Runs by day and after dark on the same ticket type, so it fits whichever end of your Tower slot has the light you want.
- Boards at Port de la Bourdonnais, directly below the Eiffel Tower
- One hour on the standard central Seine route
- Audio commentary plus an interactive web app
- Daytime and after-dark departures on the same ticket
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure
Leave a buffer either side of your Tower slot rather than booking back to back — security queues at the Tower are the variable that most often breaks a tight plan. Prices and times change; confirm both in the calendar before paying.
Eiffel Tower Seine Cruises at a Glance
What each option is for, how long the cruise runs, and the ticket we would book for it.
| Option | Best for | Typical cruise duration | Our pick on GetYourGuide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bateaux Parisiens | Easiest classic sightseeing cruise | ~1 hour | 1-Hour Cruise from the Eiffel Tower — 4.4 (90,390), $21 |
| Vedettes de Paris | Guided/electric cruise from the Tower | ~1 hour | Evening River Cruise with Music — 4.4 (25,713), $29 |
| Bateaux Mouches | Flexible classic cruise nearby | ~1 hour | Day or Evening Cruise & Audio Guide — 4.7 (50), $20 |
| Eiffel Tower + cruise combo | First-time visitors doing both attractions | ~2.5–4+ hours total | Tower Access by Elevator & Seine Cruise — 4.6 (7,693), $80 |
| Sunset cruise | Photography and changing light | ~1 hour | Day or Sunset Cruise with a Drink or Treat — 4.3 (4,853), $24 |
| Night cruise | Illuminated Eiffel Tower | ~1 hour | Evening Lights Cruise, Bateaux-Mouches — 4.3 (4,640), $20 |
| Champagne cruise | Couples | ~1 hour | Cruise with Champagne from the Eiffel Tower — 4.4 (438), $37 |
| Dinner cruise | Special evening | ~1.25–2.5+ hours | Bateaux Parisiens 3-Course Dinner Cruise — 4.7 (8,733), $133 |
One caveat on the Bateaux Mouches row: that flexible ticket rates 4.7 but on only 50 reviews. It is the right product if you want to turn up when you like, but read recent feedback before choosing it over a listing with thousands.
The Rest of the Day Around the Tower
The Eiffel Tower and the river fill an afternoon between them, and the neighbours are close: Trocadéro and the Champ de Mars either side of the Tower, the Musée du Quai Branly next door, then the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Arc de Triomphe, Sainte-Chapelle and Notre-Dame a short hop away — or Versailles if you have a whole day. These are the Paris experiences travellers are booking right now.
Pоwered by GetYourGuide
Can You Take a Seine Cruise From the Eiffel Tower?
Yes. Two major operators have boarding points directly beside the Tower.
Bateaux Parisiens
Bateaux Parisiens departs from Port de la Bourdonnais, immediately beside the Eiffel Tower.
This is probably the simplest choice if you are already visiting the Tower and want to add a standard one-hour cruise.
Our pick: 1-Hour Seine Cruise from the Eiffel Tower — 4.4 from 90,390 reviews, $21.
Vedettes de Paris
Vedettes de Paris departs from Port de Suffren, also directly below the Eiffel Tower area.
It can be a good alternative if you prefer its guided format or one of its upgraded evening or champagne products.
Our pick: Evening River Cruise with Music — 4.4 from 25,713 reviews, $29, on 100% electric boats.
Which Seine cruise is closest to the Eiffel Tower?
Both Bateaux Parisiens and Vedettes de Paris are effectively at the foot of the Tower. Choose between them according to:
- departure time;
- commentary format;
- ticket flexibility;
- price;
- type of boat;
- whether you want a basic or upgraded cruise.
What about Bateaux Mouches?
Bateaux Mouches does not depart directly beneath the Eiffel Tower. Its pier is at Pont de l'Alma, but its sightseeing route still passes the Tower.
Choose it if its flexible ticket or departure location fits your day better. For most travellers combining the Tower and cruise on the same day, however, an Eiffel Tower-area departure is simpler. The two big operators are compared in full in Bateaux Mouches vs Bateaux Parisiens.
What Do You See?
A typical central Paris sightseeing cruise also passes landmarks such as these.
Along the banks
- Musée d'Orsay;
- Louvre Museum;
- Pont Alexandre III;
- Les Invalides;
- Grand Palais.
The islands
- Île de la Cité;
- Notre-Dame;
- Conciergerie;
- Pont Neuf.
The exact route can change because of navigation conditions, but most major operators cover the same central Seine corridor.
Visit the Eiffel Tower Before or After the Cruise?
For most visitors, organise the day around the Eiffel Tower entry time rather than the boat.
Eiffel Tower tickets are generally tied to a specific time, while many standard Seine cruises are more flexible.
Tower first, cruise afterwards
This is often the easiest choice. You can spend the time you want at the Tower and then walk down to the Seine.
It is especially good if your Tower visit is in the late afternoon and you want a sunset or night cruise afterwards.
Cruise first, Tower afterwards
This also works when your Eiffel Tower ticket is later in the day. Just leave enough buffer between the boat and your timed entry.
How much time should you allow? For the cruise itself, around one hour is standard. Allow roughly 1–1.5 hours total for the cruise including boarding, and 1.5–2.5+ hours for the Eiffel Tower depending on queues and whether you visit the summit. Together, allow at least three to four hours rather than trying to squeeze both into a very tight window.
Eiffel Tower + Seine Cruise Combo Tickets
Combination tickets are widely available. The main advantage is convenience, not necessarily a huge saving.
They can include:
- second-floor Eiffel Tower access + Seine cruise;
- summit upgrade + cruise;
- guided Eiffel Tower visit + cruise;
- city tour + Eiffel Tower + cruise.
Our pick: Eiffel Tower Access by Elevator & Seine River Cruise — 4.6 from 7,693 reviews, $80. Second-floor access by lift plus the one-hour cruise, with summit access offered as a paid upgrade. Guided alternative: Eiffel Tower Guided Tour and Seine River Cruise — 4.5 from 246 reviews, $77, which adds a guide on the Tower and keeps audio commentary on the boat.
A combination ticket can make sense if:
- you definitely plan to do both attractions;
- you want one booking;
- Eiffel Tower availability is limited;
- the cruise ticket is flexible;
- the cancellation terms suit you.
Buy separately if:
- you already have official Eiffel Tower tickets;
- you want the cheapest standard cruise;
- you want a specific operator;
- you want sunset, champagne or dinner rather than basic sightseeing.
Does a combo include summit access?
Not always. Some packages include only first- and second-floor access, while others offer the summit as an upgrade. Both combination tickets above include second-floor access as standard, with the summit offered as a paid upgrade at booking — which is how the "summit upgrade + cruise" option above is actually sold, rather than as a separate product.
Always check whether the ticket includes:
- stairs or lift;
- second floor;
- summit;
- guide;
- reserved or timed entry.
Do not assume "Eiffel Tower ticket" automatically means summit access.
Skip-the-line claims
No ticket eliminates every possible wait at the Eiffel Tower. Even with reserved entry you may still encounter:
- security checks;
- lift queues;
- crowds between levels.
Read third-party wording carefully and understand what type of priority access is actually included.
Best Seine Cruise After Visiting the Eiffel Tower
Vedettes de Paris
Also directly beside the Tower, at Port de Suffren. 4.4 from 25,713 reviews, $29.
A dedicated champagne cruise
Choose one that also departs the Eiffel Tower area. 4.4 from 438 reviews, $37.
A true dinner cruise
Not a sightseeing combo with food bolted on. 4.7 from 8,733 reviews, $133.
Eiffel Tower Seine Cruise During the Day, at Sunset and at Night
During the day
Daylight is best if your priority is seeing architectural detail. It is also the easiest choice for families and busy sightseeing itineraries.
At sunset
Sunset is one of the strongest choices because you may see:
- the Tower in daylight;
- Paris in softer evening light;
- the city beginning to illuminate.
The exact effect changes dramatically by season, so check the sunset time for your date.
At night
A night cruise is best if seeing the illuminated Eiffel Tower is one of your main priorities. You do not necessarily need a special premium night ticket — a standard sightseeing cruise after dark can give you the same central Seine views, as our night cruise guide sets out, and our ticket price guide shows what each tier actually costs.
Can you see the Eiffel Tower sparkle from the cruise?
Potentially, yes. Whether you catch it from the ideal angle depends on departure time, route direction and where the boat is at the start of the hour. If the sparkle is essential, leave time to watch it from the riverbank as well.
Where to Sit, and Which Side of the Boat
Best place to sit
For standard sightseeing, do not worry too much about one exact seat. The Tower is enormous and visible from multiple parts of the boat. An open deck is usually best for photography because you avoid glass reflections. For dinner cruises, seating matters much more because you remain at your table.
Which side of the boat is best?
There is no single best side for the whole trip. Cruises travel out and return along the Seine, so landmark views change sides. Move around when appropriate rather than choosing the entire cruise around left versus right seating.
How close are the piers?
Port de la Bourdonnais and Port de Suffren are both directly beside the Eiffel Tower area. You normally do not need public transport between the Tower and either pier.
Can you cruise without visiting the Eiffel Tower?
Of course. The cruise and Tower are separate attractions unless you buy a combination package. You do not need an Eiffel Tower ticket to board a cruise near it or to see the monument from the river. This is useful when summit tickets are sold out.
Best Eiffel Tower + Seine Itinerary
Book the Eiffel Tower first, because its timed tickets — particularly summit access — are usually more constrained than standard Seine sightseeing cruises.
Option 1: Afternoon + sunset
Late afternoon: Eiffel Tower. Afterwards: Champ de Mars / Trocadéro. Around sunset: Seine cruise. After the cruise: dinner.
Option 2: Evening + night cruise
Late afternoon: Eiffel Tower. Dinner or a drink nearby. After dark: Seine cruise.
Option 3: Cruise first
Take the river cruise earlier and use a later Tower reservation for sunset or nighttime views.
What should you book first? The Eiffel Tower. Once the Tower reservation is secured, fit the cruise around it.
The Easiest Pairing in Paris
An Eiffel Tower Seine River cruise is one of the easiest combinations to organise in Paris. For most visitors, book the Eiffel Tower first and then choose a cruise around that reservation.
- Choose daylight for clear sightseeing.
- Choose sunset for the best mix of light and atmosphere.
- Choose night for the illuminated Eiffel Tower.
- Choose a combo when convenience matters more than maximum flexibility.
Always check exactly what a combination ticket includes, particularly whether Tower access is to the second floor or summit and whether the Seine portion is timed or flexible.
Eiffel Tower Seine Cruise FAQ
Can you take a Seine River cruise from the Eiffel Tower?
Yes. Bateaux Parisiens and Vedettes de Paris both operate from the immediate Eiffel Tower area — Port de la Bourdonnais and Port de Suffren respectively.
How long is an Eiffel Tower Seine cruise?
The standard sightseeing cruise is usually around one hour. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours in total including boarding.
Can I buy an Eiffel Tower and Seine combination ticket?
Yes. Many products combine Tower access with a one-hour Seine cruise. On GetYourGuide these start at about $80 for second-floor lift access plus the cruise.
Does a combo include summit access?
Not necessarily. Always check the exact access level. The main combination tickets include second-floor access and sell the summit as a paid upgrade rather than including it.
Is it better to cruise before or after the Eiffel Tower?
For most visitors, after is slightly easier because the Tower uses timed admission while many standard Seine cruises are more flexible.
Do I need Eiffel Tower tickets to take the cruise beneath it?
No. The two attractions are separate unless you buy a combination product. This is useful when summit tickets are sold out.