Water activity

Paris: Cruise on the Saint-Martin Canal and the Seine River

Activity provider:Paris Canal
Water activity

Paris: Cruise on the Saint-Martin Canal and the Seine River

Activity provider:Paris Canal
Likely to sell out

From US$ 24.69 per person

Likely to sell out

Discover the romantic side of Paris on this cruise from Parc de la Villette to Musée d’Orsay. Experience the city as you glide over the Saint-Martin Canal and the Seine River.

About this activity

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Duration 2.5 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English, French

Experience

Highlights
  • Experience the French capital on a relaxing River Seine cruise
  • Enjoy a sightseeing journey from the Parc de la Villette to the Musée d’Orsay
  • Follow the Canal St-Martin under bridges and through charming streets
  • Pass through the mile-long underground vault perforated by light holes
  • Admire iconic landmarks, including Notre Dame and Place de la Bastille
Full description

Explore the French capital on a sightseeing cruise along the River Seine and continue along Canal Saint-Martin. See Parisian landmarks, including Notre Dame and the Hotel du Nord before sailing into the underground vault.

Start your day in Paris with one of its most enchanting attractions, and take a cruise along the Canal Saint-Martin and River Seine.

Embark in the center of the Parc de la Villette, and cruise gently along the canal to Rue de Crimée’s elevated bridge, as it goes through the Bassin de la Villette, before entering the magnificent Rotonde by Ledoux. Your adventure begins with the first lock at the Récollets Center, where you will catch sight of the Hotel du Nord. Discover the Canal Saint-Martin, filled with the poetry of its romantic paths and pedestrian bridges, bordered by chestnut trees and populated by fishermen. Then, the boat will be plunged into darkness as you enter a tunnel of more than 1-mile, taking you through a mysterious underground vault that is perforated by light holes. Filled with magic and beauty, when you emerge into the light at Arsenal Port, you will see the July Column of Place de la Bastille ahead of you.

This is when you enter the River Seine. From here, take a short cruise along the River Seine, past the Île Saint-Louis and Île de la Cité, to end your tour just after midday at the Musée d’Orsay.

Includes
  • Cruise on the Saint-Martin Canal and the Seine River
  • Commentary in French and English

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Meet at Parc de la Villette in the Paris 19th district. Walk straight on from the subway station, Porte de Pantin (Exit No. 1), and follow the "Gallerie de la Villette" (the walking area with a grey undulating roof) until you see the canal. The Paris Canal white board will be on the left, at Parc de la Villette, 211 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 75019 Paris.

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Important information

Know before you go

  • The cruise will take place rain or shine
  • Daily cruises from May to August and are subject to availability outside these dates
  • Groups of more than 40 people are possible all year round
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.2 /5

based on 1203 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.2/5
  • Transportation
    4.2/5
  • Service
    4.2/5
  • Organization
    4.3/5

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Star rating:

We enjoyed the boat cruise. Each lock passage, and bridge raise, took longer than we expected so the portion of the ride through the Seine was much shorter than I would have liked. We were lucky that the weather was sunny the whole time, it made for an enjoyable afternoon. The guide was lively.

April 28, 2023

It was really interesting to see the canals of Paris as well as the Seine - but it does take a long time to get through 9 locks! the area of Paris where the canal cruise starts was a fantastic bit of Paris to see that you would not do if you just did the Seine river cruise - but it would have been good to have a bit longer on the actual Seine as well.

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September 22, 2022

A lovely Parisian experience with insight into the different neighborhoods that straddle the canal. Lovely to see Parisians, that's beyond the tourist paths, enjoying picnic by the canal, gathering of families, people exercising, playing table tennis, outdoor dance, working locks, people crossing different styles of bridges-swing bridges, draw bridges, houseboats....don't want to give it all away. We highly recommend it!

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June 17, 2022

Product ID: 24450