Paris: Cruise on The Canal Saint Martin and The Seine River

About this experience

Discover two faces of Paris in a single relaxing cruise. Board near the iconic Hôtel du Nord by Place de la République and follow the leafy Canal Saint-Martin, with its picturesque locks, romantic footbridges and mysterious Bastille tunnel. Then glide out onto the Seine and watch Paris open up in front of you: Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, the Eiffel Tower and the UNESCO-listed riverbanks that hosted the Paris 2024 Olympic celebrations. With live commentary in English and French and a cosy bar on board, this cruise lets you experience both the “secret” and the iconic Paris in total comfort, without ever leaving your seat.

Description supplied by the operator via Viator Partner API.

What you actually do

Of 7 listed stops, you get out at 0 and see 7 from the vehicle.

1. 1

   Paris

   71 Quai de Valmy, 75010 Paris, France Start your journey along Canal Saint-Martin, a historic waterway lined with trees, iron footbridges and popular cafés. As you cruise past the famous Hôtel du Nord and the lively waterside terraces, your guide explains how the canal was created to bring fresh water to Paris and how…

   Seen from the vehicle

2. 2

   Canal Saint-Martin

   Experience the unique feeling of passing through several locks, watching the water level rise and fall around the boat while the gates slowly open and close. This is the best moment to observe everyday canal life: locals on the quays, walkers crossing the iron footbridges and the contrast between old industrial…

   Seen from the vehicle

3. 3

   Capitainerie du Port de l'Arsenal de la Bastille

   Then enter the long underground tunnel beneath the Bastille area, a vaulted passage punctuated by shafts of daylight from above. The change of atmosphere is striking: the city noise disappears and you sail in near-silence under the historic streets of Paris.

   Seen from the vehicle

4. 4

   The Seine

   Emerging from the tunnel, the boat reaches the Port de l’Arsenal, a marina linking Canal Saint-Martin to the Seine. Here you can see houseboats and pleasure craft moored in the basin while your guide explains how this former commercial port has been transformed into a pleasant harbour and garden.

   Seen from the vehicle

5. 5

   Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris

   Joining the Seine River, the scenery opens up to postcard views. Sail alongside Île Saint-Louis, with its elegant 17th-century façades, and enjoy a first glimpse of Île de la Cité, the historic heart of Paris. From the water you can fully appreciate the curve of the river and the city’s famous bridges.

   Seen from the vehicle

6. 6

   4th Arr. - Hotel-de-Ville

   As the boat continues along the UNESCO-listed riverbanks, your guide points out many of Paris’s most iconic monuments: Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Conciergerie, the Louvre museum, the Tuileries gardens, the Orsay Museum and the Eiffel Tower.

   Seen from the vehicle

7. 7

   Louvre Museum

   You will pass the ornate Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) and the lively riverside promenades. Here you really feel local life along the Seine, with people strolling, chatting and enjoying the evening by the water.

   Seen from the vehicle

Where the day happens

≈ 0.3 km from the city centre. 7 stops shown in visit order.

What is and is not included

Before you book

The operator’s own practical notes — the things people usually discover at checkout.