Does anyone have a preference on boat trips out of the most popular 3 - Vedettes something, le bateaux maches or bateaux parisiens?
Cost/sights/photo oppurtunities/location.
Thanks!
|||
I have taken two different cruises - one last August with Bateaux Parisiens and one with Vedettes du Pont Neuf this past May. Bateaux Parisiens was during the day, and Vedettes was in the evening (both companies offer day and evening cruises I believe).
Both were good, and I think they cost around the same price - about 12 euros. Here are a few differences that may help you make up your mind:
Bateaux Parisiens start and finish at the Eiffel Tower. If this location is more convenient to you, you may prefer this one. Their commentary is given through what is kind of like a telephone receiver on a long cord, and you just selected the channel for the language you wanted.
Vedettes du Pont Neuf start and finish at the Pont Neuf (near Saint Chapelle and just down from the Louvre). If this is more convenient, then you may want to opt for that one. The commentary was given by a tourism student in French and English.
Both cruises were the same length of time, and covered the same sites.
One advantage for Vedettes du Pont Neuf is that you can prebook on line and it is only 7 euros each, or you can just print out coupons for 2 euros off the admission:
www.vedettesdupontneuf.com
I was assuming from your post that you meant the sightseeing cruises only. The dinner cruises are quite expensive (I think they start at 100 euros per person), and I%26#39;ve never taken them so can%26#39;t comment.
Enjoy your trip!
|||
While taking a bateau mouche (the name by which these boats are collectively known) is an excellent idea, I am not convinced that one company offers a great deal more than another.
Everyone should do this at least once.
The diner cruises are expensive and the food is probably OK (I have not previously done a diner cruise personally). However the experience is unique so I do not discourage anyone from making a diner cruise as long as he keeps his expectations reasonable and can afford it.
|||
after thinking for years that riding a boat down in the ditch might not be the best way to see Paris, we broke down and did the Vedettes pont Neuf evening cruise last time we were in Paris -- we got the voucher on line that gave us several Euro off and just walked up at our convenience one evening
it was sort of cool at night -- but IMHO strolling along the Seine after dark is actually still a more wonderful experience
I%26#39;d consider it as a jet lag day activity - sitting in the sun without having to expend a lot of energy -- or as part of a trip with an elderly person or toddler -- again with energy issues in mind
but not in my top ten of things to do in Paris
|||
I agree that they are all similar to me and it is just a way to get oriented when you are jet-lagged. I actually liked the boat ride from the Seine to Parc de la Villette where you go through the locks on Canal St. Martin and go underneath the Bastille -- very eerie!
|||
IMHO, Canauxrama cruises are better than the others.
http://www.canauxrama.com/
|||
I am also interested in hearning opinions about Seine Boat Cruises.
slowpokesf- Could you elaborate on why you think Canauzrama is the best?
Thanks!
|||
In Oct of last year, my wife %26amp; I took our 17 year old granddaughter for a dinner cruise through Bateaux Parisiens. We opted for the Premier Service %26amp; were allocated a seat at the very front of the boat; magnifique!
We were well wined %26amp; dined; a 5 course meal was served.
The boat departed from (%26amp; returned to) the foot of the Eiffel Tower, a handy location. The leisurely voyage took us initially east, well past Ile St. Louis %26amp; returned westward, past Pont Grenelle %26amp; the miniature Statue of Liberty.
It was costly but well worth the splurge for a special occasion, or, in our case, to spoil our granddaughter.
During daylight hours, Batobus is a practical %26amp; thrifty method of cruising the Seine. You buy a pass (1 day, 2 day ...), which permits you on %26amp; off privileges at approximately 7 key locations along the river (D%26#39;Orsay, St. Germaine, Notre Dame, Jardins des Plantes, etc.). At each of the locations there is a booth for ticket purchases. There is no on board commentary, just announcements as to the next stop.
Morstan
|||
I prefer the Bateaux Mouches from the Pont de l%26#39;Alma. They have the longest itinerary and are also the biggest boats, which is excellent for walking around and taking pictures.
That can be a problem on the small boats.
|||
rebavt,
Canauxrama does many different and interesting cruises which leave from the Bastille or La Villette.
I like the Bistrot cruise that leaves the Bastille at 9pm and returns at 11pm. Most other cruises are just one hour. The boats are not crowded, the seating is bistro style downstairs and their is a bar where you can buy wine, Champagne, etc.
They cruise through the our port, descend through the lock to cruise down the Seine passing the Eiffel Tower before making their final turn at the Statue of Liberty. We took this cruise last year on a warm spring night and loved it.
Have a look at their website, and see the new Atmosphere cruise that travels along the Canal Saint-Martin at night. It leaves the Bastille at 9pm and arrives at La Villette at 11pm.
www.canauxrama.com/e_formules.asp…
|||
Slowpokesf, thanks for the tip, the Canauxrama looks perfect for our trip in Sept. Their embarkation looks like about a 10 minute walk from our hotel-Hotel Ibis Paris Bastille Faubourg Saint Antoine.
I want to do this on my birthday, 6 Sept which is a Sunday. Should we do the 6pm one and eat later or 8pm one and eat earlier? I don%26#39;t want to miss the twinkling Eiffel Tower either.
Should we book the internet rate of 11 EUR or wait until we get there to be sure of good weather?
No comments:
Post a Comment