Notre-Dame Cathedral
The cruise begins directly opposite the cathedral. From the Seine you see how closely Notre-Dame and the Île de la Cité are tied to the river, a different view from the square in front.
Quai de Montebello, Pont Neuf, Batobus
Live ratings checked 11 Oct 2026
- April–SeptemberNotre-Dame cruise season in 2026
- 1 hourRound trip to the Eiffel Tower and back
- €39Adult fare in 2026, drink included
- From €15Pont Neuf cruises, nearby all year
Can You Take a Seine Cruise From Notre-Dame?
Yes, in season. Notre-Dame is one of the most convenient places to start a cruise if you are spending the day around the Île de la Cité, the Latin Quarter or central Paris. The cruise that boards directly opposite the cathedral is not a high-frequency sightseeing boat, though. Bateaux Parisiens runs a one-hour Notre-Dame cruise from Quai de Montebello, with live commentary, a drink and a sweet biscuit included, on selected days from spring to late September.
Its 2026 season ended on 27 September, and in October 2026 neither GetYourGuide nor Viator was selling it. Until it returns, Vedettes du Pont Neuf is the easy alternative a short walk away on the Île de la Cité: it runs one-hour cruises through the day and evening from Square du Vert-Galant. This guide covers both, plus where to board, what you see and whether starting near Notre-Dame beats a cruise from the Eiffel Tower.
The short answer
- Visiting from April to September? Check whether the Bateaux Parisiens Notre-Dame cruise is sailing on your date: one hour from Quai de Montebello, €39 with a glass of Champagne.
- Any other time, or on a budget? Walk to Pont Neuf for Vedettes du Pont Neuf, which sails every day.
- Want to get off at the Eiffel Tower? Take the Batobus, which stops at both.
Board at the Other End of the Island
Pick a date to see the departure times from Square du Vert-Galant.
Square du Vert-Galant · Pont Neuf
Live guide
Square du Vert-Galant · Pont Neuf
Seine River Sightseeing Guided Cruise by Vedettes du Pont Neuf
Why this one: it boards at the western tip of the Île de la Cité, the same island as Notre-Dame, so you can walk there from the cathedral past Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie. It sails every day from 10:30 a.m., day and night, with a live guide in English and French, and it is rated 4.5/5 from 395 reviews on GetYourGuide.
A one-hour round trip from Pont Neuf, west to the Eiffel Tower and back past the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay and Notre-Dame. You finish at the same pier.
- Boards at 1 Square du Vert-Galant, down the steps behind the statue of Henri IV
- Daily from 10:30 a.m., with evening sailings
- Nearest metro: Pont Neuf, across the bridge on the Right Bank
Departure times change with the season, so confirm yours in the calendar before paying.
The Notre-Dame Cruise From Quai de Montebello
A one-hour cruise from the Left Bank opposite the cathedral, west towards the Eiffel Tower and back.
In season, Bateaux Parisiens runs its Notre-Dame cruise from Quai de Montebello, on the Left Bank directly opposite Notre-Dame Cathedral. It lasts about one hour, heading west along the Seine towards the Eiffel Tower before turning back to Notre-Dame. In 2026 the ticket included:
- a one-hour Seine cruise;
- live commentary in French and English;
- a glass of Champagne, a beer or a soft drink;
- a sweet biscuit shaped like Notre-Dame;
- views of the main monuments between Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tower.
The boat used for it, the Jean Marais, has 107 seats, which makes it quite different from the much larger sightseeing boats that leave from the Eiffel Tower.
Is it running now? Not in October 2026. The 2026 season ran from April to 27 September, and in October neither GetYourGuide nor Viator was selling it, which is why this page has no booking link for it. If you are visiting in spring or summer, check the Bateaux Parisiens website for next season's dates before planning your day around it.
Around Notre-Dame and the Île de la Cité
A cruise from this end of the river fits a day of Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie on the Île de la Cité, the Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain-des-Prés across the water, and the Louvre a short walk west. These are the Paris tours and tickets travellers are booking right now.
Pоwered by GetYourGuide
Where Does the Notre-Dame Seine Cruise Depart From?
Quai de Montebello, 75005 Paris, on the Left Bank of the Seine directly opposite Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Handy if you are visiting:
- Notre-Dame;
- Sainte-Chapelle;
- the Conciergerie;
- the Île de la Cité;
- Shakespeare and Company;
- the Latin Quarter;
- Saint-Michel;
- the Sorbonne;
- the Île Saint-Louis.
How to get to the pier
Metro: Cité (line 4), a few minutes' walk away, or Cluny–La Sorbonne (line 10) from the Latin Quarter side.
RER: Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame (lines B and C), useful if you are coming from further out by regional train.
Bus: several routes serve the Notre-Dame and Quai de Montebello area.
Instead of crossing Paris to the Eiffel Tower just to board a boat, you start in the middle of the historic centre. The pier is down at river level, so allow a few extra minutes to find the boarding area: reaching the cathedral does not mean you have reached the boat. Our guide to Seine cruise departure points covers every pier in the city.
What Route Does the Notre-Dame Cruise Take?
Notre-Dame → Hôtel de Ville → Conciergerie → Louvre → Place de la Concorde → Grand Palais → Palais de Chaillot → Eiffel Tower → Les Invalides → Musée d'Orsay → Institut de France → Notre-Dame.
This route suits a first visit because it links the two best-known ends of central Paris: Notre-Dame and the historic centre with the Eiffel Tower and monumental western Paris. Here is what you see on the way.
Hôtel de Ville and the Conciergerie
Soon after departure come views towards Paris City Hall. The medieval façade of the Conciergerie, rising straight out of the river, is one of the most striking sights on this stretch.
The Louvre and Place de la Concorde
From the water you get a much better sense of the scale of the former royal palace than from any single courtyard. The boat then heads west towards the monumental centre at Concorde.
Grand Palais and Palais de Chaillot
The Grand Palais's huge glass roof is easy to pick out. As you approach western Paris and the Palais de Chaillot, the Eiffel Tower fills more and more of the view.
The Eiffel Tower
For many passengers, the highlight. Starting at Notre-Dame, you approach the Tower gradually instead of boarding underneath it, and that slow reveal makes the view more impressive.
Les Invalides, Orsay and the Institut de France
On the way back you pass the golden dome of Les Invalides, the former railway station of the Musée d'Orsay right on the riverbank, and the Institut de France before returning to Notre-Dame.
Does the Cruise Go From Notre-Dame to the Eiffel Tower?
Yes, but as a round-trip sightseeing cruise, not transport. You do not normally get off at the Eiffel Tower.
The boat travels from Notre-Dame towards the Eiffel Tower and then returns to where you boarded. If you want a boat that carries you from Notre-Dame to the Eiffel Tower and lets you get off there, a sightseeing cruise is the wrong product. Use the Batobus instead.
Can you travel from Notre-Dame to the Eiffel Tower by boat?
Yes, on a hop-on hop-off river service. The Batobus has nine stops on the Seine:
- Notre-Dame;
- the Eiffel Tower;
- the Louvre;
- the Musée d'Orsay;
- Les Invalides;
- the Hôtel de Ville;
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés;
- the Jardin des Plantes;
- Place de la Concorde.
Its passes give unlimited hop-on hop-off travel for 24 or 48 consecutive hours. On the Batobus website a 24-hour adult pass costs €23 (€13 for a child) and a 48-hour pass €27, and the full circuit takes about 1 hour 45 minutes if you stay on board. On GetYourGuide the Batobus hop-on hop-off pass is rated 4.4 from 6,595 reviews, from about $27. So if your plan is visit Notre-Dame, board a boat, get off near the Eiffel Tower, the Batobus makes more sense than a one-hour loop.
| Notre-Dame sightseeing cruise | Batobus | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | An attraction | Transport plus sightseeing |
| Time on board | About 1 hour | Use it throughout the pass's validity |
| Where you finish | Back at Notre-Dame | Get off at any of the other stops |
| Commentary | Live commentary included | Free audio guide |
| Drinks | Champagne or another drink included | No drinks focus |
| Best for | An uninterrupted hour of sightseeing | Moving around Paris |
Choose the sightseeing cruise if you want to sit back and enjoy Paris for an hour. Choose the Batobus if you want to use the river to travel between attractions.
How Much Is the Notre-Dame Cruise?
In 2026 Bateaux Parisiens charged €39 per adult, €30 per child aged 4–11, and nothing for children aged 0–3.
The ticket covered the one-hour cruise, live French and English commentary, a glass of Champagne or another drink, and the biscuit. That is why it costs considerably more than a basic sightseeing ticket: you pay for a commented champagne cruise, not only the route.
Is the Notre-Dame cruise expensive?
Compared with a basic sightseeing cruise, yes. If seeing the Seine is your only priority, you can find standard one-hour cruises for much less. Nearby Vedettes du Pont Neuf charges €15 per adult for a timed ticket bought on its website and €18 per adult for an open ticket valid for a year, with reduced child fares. So the question to ask is less about whether €39 is a lot for a Seine cruise, and more about whether you want Champagne, live commentary and a departure right opposite Notre-Dame. If you do, the extra may well be fair. If not, Pont Neuf is the better value.
If you want a glass in your hand near Notre-Dame outside the Bateaux Parisiens season, the Pont Neuf sunset and evening champagne cruise (sold on Viator, 4.2 from 682 reviews, about $45) boards below Pont Neuf for a one-hour evening loop. Check whether it is running on your date before you plan around it. Our champagne cruise guide compares the others, and our tickets and prices guide covers what the standard cruises cost.
Best Cheap Seine Cruise Near Notre-Dame
For a lower-cost sightseeing cruise near Notre-Dame, look first at Vedettes du Pont Neuf.
It departs from 1 Square du Vert-Galant, 75001 Paris, at the western end of the Île de la Cité. Its standard cruise:
- lasts one hour;
- sails during the day and at night;
- leaves daily from 10:30 a.m.;
- offers timed and open tickets.
That is still very much a central Paris departure in the Notre-Dame area. When the Notre-Dame cruise is not running, or not what you are after, there is no need to travel to the Eiffel Tower.
How far is Pont Neuf from Notre-Dame?
Notre-Dame and Pont Neuf sit at opposite ends of the Île de la Cité, a short walk apart, and Vedettes du Pont Neuf makes a natural next stop after the cathedral. Instead of taking the Metro across Paris, you keep walking west through the historic centre, which lets you combine Notre-Dame → Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie → Pont Neuf → Seine cruise in one compact area.
Choose the Notre-Dame cruise if:
- you want to board directly opposite the cathedral;
- you like live commentary;
- you want Champagne included;
- you prefer a smaller, more curated cruise;
- it is sailing on your date and its departure times fit your day.
Choose Pont Neuf if:
- price matters;
- you want a straightforward sightseeing cruise;
- you want more choice of departure times;
- you do not need Champagne;
- you want a standard day or night cruise, in any month.
For many budget-conscious visitors, Pont Neuf is the better choice. For couples or anyone wanting something more special, the Notre-Dame cruise is the more interesting one when it is running.
Our pick: Guided Cruise by Vedettes du Pont Neuf, 4.5 from 395 reviews, $20.
What Time Does the Notre-Dame Cruise Leave?
It does not run all day like the big sightseeing boats. In 2026 there were four departures on each sailing day: 5 p.m., 7 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.
It sailed only on selected days. In 2026 that meant Fridays and Saturdays from April to mid-June, Thursday to Saturday in the second half of June, Tuesday to Saturday in July and August, and Fridays and Saturdays in September, until the season ended on 27 September. That makes it mainly an afternoon and evening cruise. Timetables change from year to year: check your exact date before planning around it. Our guide to Seine cruise times and hours covers the operators that sail every day.
5 p.m.
Best for clear daylight, architectural sightseeing, families and dinner afterwards. In summer this is a fully daytime cruise.
7 p.m.
A good early-evening choice. Depending on the month you get daylight, softer evening light or the sunset.
8:30 p.m.
Can be excellent for sunset or twilight, depending on the time of year. Around midsummer, Paris may still be in full daylight.
10 p.m.
The one for a real night-cruise atmosphere, and the best choice if you want illuminated Paris and the Eiffel Tower after dark.
For more timing advice, see our guides to the Seine river cruise at night and the Paris sunset cruise.
Is the Notre-Dame Cruise Good at Night?
Yes. Starting in the historic centre and approaching the Eiffel Tower after dark is especially atmospheric.
At night you see:
- the illuminated bridges;
- the lit riverfront of the Louvre;
- the Musée d'Orsay;
- the Eiffel Tower;
- reflections on the Seine.
A late departure also brings you back to Notre-Dame at night, well placed for an evening walk around the Latin Quarter, Saint-Germain or Saint-Michel.
Can you see the Eiffel Tower sparkle?
Possibly. The route goes as far as the Eiffel Tower, so a late departure gives you a chance of seeing its night lighting from the water. The timing is not guaranteed, though: the boat keeps moving and may or may not be beside the Tower when the hourly sparkle starts. Do not choose this cruise only because you expect a perfectly timed sparkle.
How early should you arrive?
Bateaux Parisiens asks you to arrive at least 15 minutes before departure. We would allow closer to 20–30 minutes if:
- you have not used the Quai de Montebello pier before;
- sunset timing matters;
- you are visiting on a busy weekend;
- you want time to find the right river-level boarding point.
The boat leaves on time.
Who Is the Notre-Dame Cruise For?
Is the cruise suitable for families?
Yes, but think about whether the Champagne premium makes sense for your family. In 2026 children got a non-alcoholic drink and under-fours travelled free. Families who mainly want straightforward sightseeing may prefer the cheaper cruise from Pont Neuf with Vedettes du Pont Neuf.
Is it good for couples?
Yes. Couples are probably the travellers it suits best. You combine Notre-Dame, central Paris, the Eiffel Tower, the evening atmosphere and a glass of Champagne without committing to a two-hour dinner cruise. A good evening: Notre-Dame → the Latin Quarter or the Île de la Cité → evening cruise → dinner in Saint-Germain or the Latin Quarter.
Is It Better Than a Cruise From the Eiffel Tower?
Not necessarily. Each suits a different day.
Start at Notre-Dame if:
- you are spending the day in historic Paris;
- you are visiting Sainte-Chapelle;
- you are staying in the Latin Quarter;
- you want to approach the Eiffel Tower from the river;
- you do not want to travel west before boarding.
Start at the Eiffel Tower if:
- you are going up the Tower that day (a reserved Eiffel Tower ticket is rated 4.7 from 7,681 reviews, from $47);
- you are staying in western Paris;
- you want plenty of sightseeing departure times;
- you want the simplest classic cruise, such as the 1-Hour Seine Cruise from the Eiffel Tower.
For most travellers, the best departure point is simply the one nearest to where they already are. Our Seine cruise departure points guide has the full comparison.
Is the route better from Notre-Dame?
The central sights are broadly the same; what differs is the order you see them in. Starting beside the Eiffel Tower puts the Tower at the start of your cruise. Starting from Notre-Dame gives you a gradual progression: medieval Paris → the Louvre and the monumental centre → the Eiffel Tower. We like that order for a first visit, because it gives a stronger sense of moving through the historic core, but you do not see dramatically more.
Notre-Dame to Eiffel Tower Cruise: Which Option Is Best?
It depends on what you mean by "to the Eiffel Tower". Choosing the wrong product for your plan is the usual source of confusion.
See the Eiffel Tower and return to Notre-Dame
The Bateaux Parisiens Notre-Dame cruise, when it is in season. It suits couples and evening sightseeing best.
Get off near the Eiffel Tower
The Batobus, which lets you board at Notre-Dame and get off at other Seine stops, including the Eiffel Tower. It is the best choice if you want transport.
An affordable sightseeing cruise near Notre-Dame
Vedettes du Pont Neuf: a one-hour cruise from the same island with much lower ticket prices. It is the best budget choice, and the one that runs all year.
A Good Notre-Dame + Seine Cruise Itinerary
Afternoon
Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral, then explore the Île de la Cité, Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie.
Late afternoon
Walk along the Seine or spend some time in the Latin Quarter.
Evening
Board the Seine cruise from Quai de Montebello in season, or from Square du Vert-Galant with Vedettes du Pont Neuf at any time of year.
After the cruise
Have dinner around Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the Latin Quarter or the Île Saint-Louis. The whole plan avoids unnecessary Metro journeys and stays in one part of the city.
Cheaper: Notre-Dame + Pont Neuf cruise
Notre-Dame → Sainte-Chapelle → walk across the Île de la Cité → Square du Vert-Galant → Vedettes du Pont Neuf cruise.
The better choice if you want a traditional one-hour sightseeing boat without Champagne or premium pricing.
Notre-Dame → Eiffel Tower by Batobus
Visit Notre-Dame → board the Batobus → travel west along the Seine → get off at the Eiffel Tower.
A pleasant way to combine sightseeing and transport, but not a guided sightseeing cruise: it serves nine stops and its passes are for unlimited hop-on hop-off travel over one or two days, with no single one-hour loop.
Should You Book in Advance?
For the Bateaux Parisiens Notre-Dame cruise, yes: it has far fewer departures than the standard sightseeing boats, and only 107 seats.
Booking ahead matters most for:
- Friday and Saturday evenings;
- departures timed for sunset;
- couples;
- short trips to Paris;
- the late-night departure.
With Vedettes du Pont Neuf you have more flexibility, because it sells both timed and open tickets.
What if the Notre-Dame cruise is sold out or not running?
You have three easy alternatives:
- Vedettes du Pont Neuf: stay in the same area and take a standard sightseeing cruise with Vedettes du Pont Neuf.
- Batobus: use the river as hop-on hop-off transport with the Batobus.
- An Eiffel Tower-area cruise: go to Port de la Bourdonnais or Port de Suffren and take one of the major sightseeing operators there, such as the 1-Hour Seine Cruise from the Eiffel Tower (4.4 from 91,653 reviews, $21).
One Notre-Dame cruise being unavailable is no reason to give up on the Seine.
Is a Seine Cruise From Notre-Dame Worth It?
Yes, particularly if the location fits your day.
The big advantage is not a radically different route: you start in the historic centre instead of travelling to the Eiffel Tower first. That makes it especially convenient if you are staying or sightseeing around the Latin Quarter, Saint-Germain, the Marais or the Île de la Cité. The Bateaux Parisiens cruise also adds a smaller boat, Champagne and live commentary, which sets it apart from the high-capacity sightseeing boats. If you do not care about those extras, the nearby Pont Neuf cruise is probably better value.
Final verdict
A Seine River cruise from Notre-Dame is a very practical choice for visitors exploring central Paris. In season, the Bateaux Parisiens departure leaves from Quai de Montebello, opposite Notre-Dame, and runs for about an hour to the Eiffel Tower and back, with live French and English commentary, Champagne or another drink and a sweet biscuit. Its 2026 season ended on 27 September, so check next season's dates before you count on it.
- The Bateaux Parisiens Notre-Dame cruise if you want a special commented cruise straight from the cathedral, when it is sailing.
- Vedettes du Pont Neuf if you want a cheaper standard sightseeing cruise nearby, in any month.
- The Batobus if you really want to travel by boat from Notre-Dame towards places such as the Eiffel Tower without returning to your start.
Decide first whether you need a sightseeing cruise or river transport. Once you know that, the right Notre-Dame boat is easy to pick. For every operator compared side by side, see our best Seine river cruises guide.
Seine Cruise From Notre-Dame FAQ
Can you take a Seine River cruise from Notre-Dame?
In season, yes. Bateaux Parisiens runs a one-hour Notre-Dame cruise with a glass of Champagne from Quai de Montebello, opposite the cathedral. Its 2026 season ran from April to 27 September, so outside those months the nearest sightseeing cruise is Vedettes du Pont Neuf.
Where does the Notre-Dame Seine cruise depart from?
Quai de Montebello, 75005 Paris, on the Left Bank opposite Notre-Dame.
How long is the cruise from Notre-Dame?
About one hour.
Does the Notre-Dame cruise go to the Eiffel Tower?
It travels west along the Seine as far as the Eiffel Tower before returning to Notre-Dame. It is a round trip, not one-way transport.
Can I get off at the Eiffel Tower?
Not on the Notre-Dame sightseeing cruise. To travel by boat between Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tower and get off there, use the Batobus.
How much does the Notre-Dame cruise cost?
In 2026 Bateaux Parisiens charged €39 for adults and €30 for children aged 4 to 11, with children aged 0 to 3 free.
Is there a cheaper Seine cruise near Notre-Dame?
Yes. Vedettes du Pont Neuf runs one-hour cruises from Square du Vert-Galant on the Île de la Cité, with timed adult tickets from €15 on its own website.
What is included in the Notre-Dame cruise?
The ticket included a one-hour cruise, live commentary in French and English, a glass of Champagne, a beer or a soft drink, and a biscuit shaped like Notre-Dame.
Is the Notre-Dame cruise good at night?
Yes. The later departures show central Paris and the Eiffel Tower lit up, although the cruise sails only on selected days in season.
How early should I arrive?
Bateaux Parisiens asks you to arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.
Is Pont Neuf close to Notre-Dame?
Yes. Both are on the Île de la Cité, so Vedettes du Pont Neuf is one of the easiest cruises to reach after visiting Notre-Dame.
What is the best boat option if I want to travel from Notre-Dame to the Eiffel Tower?
The Batobus, a hop-on hop-off boat that serves both Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tower among its nine Seine stops.
Is the Notre-Dame cruise running now?
Not in October 2026. Its 2026 season ended on 27 September, and neither GetYourGuide nor Viator was selling it, so check Bateaux Parisiens for next season's dates.