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

Paris, France

Trending

Booked 5+ times in 12 hours.

2 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.2

· Mukul_M ·

Mar 2026

Change of water level using locks in the river is something new and different from most cruises. Commentary in English and French covered most landmarks. Professional and pleasant handeling. Had an excellent experience.

· lynmansfield14 ·

Jul 2025

It was an awesome experience and the hostess was very informative. The cruise was fantastic and we met some nice people

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Overview

Seeing Paris’s famous landmarks and quieter neighborhoods in one outing can be difficult when moving between areas on foot or by public transit. This sightseeing cruise connects the Canal Saint Martin and the Seine River into a single, unhurried route. Glide through the tree-lined canal past locks, bridges, and tunnels before continuing onto the Seine for clear views of major Paris landmarks, all from the water—and without needing to navigate crowds.

Explore Paris without having to spend hours walking around
Listen to live commentary on the city's history and learn more than you would on your own
Snap photos of UNESCO-listed landmarks from a unique vantage point
View landmarks such as Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Musee d’Orsay, and the Eiffel Tower

What's Included

Bar on board
2-hour sightseeing cruise on Canal Saint-Martin and the Seine River
Live bilingual commentary (English and French)
Use of indoor and outdoor seating on board
Admire the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, the Musée d’Orsay, the Eiffel Tower and more.
1 glass of Champagne included only in the "Cruise and Champagne" package

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

73 Quai de Valmy, 75010 Paris, France
At the intersection of Street Jean POULMARCH and Quai de Valmy 75010 Paris (subway: République)

End point

19 Quai de l'Horloge, 75001 Paris, France
Opposite 19 Quai de l'Horloge, on Île de la Cité (subway: Pont Neuf)

Itinerary

Quai de Valmy (Pass By)

Canal Saint-Martin (Pass By)

Bastille (Pass By)

Capitainerie du Port de l'Arsenal de la Bastille (Pass By)

The Seine (Pass By)

Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris (Pass By)

4th Arr. - Hotel-de-Ville (Pass By)

Louvre Museum (Pass By)

Pont Alexandre III (Pass By)

Eiffel Tower (Pass By)

Ile de la Cite (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation

Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 100 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.2

based on 86 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Had an excellent experience

Mukul_M, Mar 2026

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Dear Mukul, Thank you for your feedback! We are really happy to hear that you enjoyed the experience of going through the locks. It is indeed something quite unique and a different way to discover Paris. It is also great to know that the bilingual commentary and the warm welcome from our team made your cruise even more enjoyable. We hope to see you again soon! Warm regards, France Tourisme

Very fun and imformative!...

Laura_S, Jan 2026

Very fun and imformative! Would appreciate more English narration as advertised, and maybe something dry to.sit on when up top. Otherwise awesome ecperience!!!

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you very much for your feedback! 😊 We are delighted to hear that you found the experience fun and informative. Thank you as well for your helpful suggestions, which we truly appreciate and will take into account. We hope to see you again soon for another great experience in Paris ✨ Alice de France Tourisme

Not my favorite boat ride.

Wells_W, Sep 2025

Lasted about 2 hours. First half was mainly a long & boring ride through a tunnel. If you want to see Paris underground, you should take a sewers tour instead, Second half, thankfully, is in the open air, following basic route along the Seine between Notre Dame and Eiffel Tower. There are many other boats that follow the same route and you might look for one that does not include the slog through the tunnel in the canal.

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Thank you, Wells, for taking the time to share your feedback. We are truly sorry to hear that the Canal Saint Martin portion of the cruise did not meet your expectations and felt too long compared to the more open and lively section on the Seine. We completely understand your disappointment. This cruise is indeed designed to combine two very different atmospheres—an unusual and historic underground passage through Paris, followed by the classic highlights of the Seine. We regret that this contrast did not match your personal preferences. Please rest assured that the majority of our guests usually appreciate this unique perspective, but your remarks are very valuable for us to better guide future travelers in their choice. If you wish to contact us directly at info@francetourisme.fr , we would be happy to discuss and suggest a more suitable option for your next visit. For instance, our 1-hour Seine discovery cruise is a wonderful way to admire all the iconic monuments in full open air, or you might enjoy our sunset champagne cruise for a more festive Parisian evening. We sincerely hope to welcome you back on board for a more enjoyable experience next time. Alice de France Tourisme

Educational

Brenda_S, Aug 2025

The canal cruise was interesting and educational. Our guide Lea was friendly and knowledgeable, our captain Pasquale was skilled.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Thank you for sharing your impressions of the Canal Saint-Martin and Seine cruise. We are delighted that you found the experience both interesting and educational, and that you appreciated the friendliness and professionalism of the crew on board. We hope to welcome you again soon on another discovery, perhaps a sunset champagne cruise on the Seine or a guided visit of the Musée d’Orsay, to enjoy Paris from a different perspective. Warm regards, Alice de France Tourisme

Good but not great

Jen_W, Aug 2025

It was very, very hot up top, but it is August. The first half of the cruise is the canal and the locks. On the upper deck people stand in the front of the boat, so it is hard to see the lowering of the locks. The guide did a nice job narrating in French and English. Honestly we took the night tour on the TOOTBUS the evening before and it was better.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Hello, Thank you for sharing your feedback on our Canal Saint-Martin to the Seine cruise. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed our guide’s narration in both French and English, and that you were able to discover this unique route through Paris. We understand that the August heat and limited visibility during the lock passages may have impacted your comfort. Your comments are very valuable to us, and we will look at ways to improve the experience for all guests on board. We hope to welcome you back for another Parisian adventure — perhaps a sunset champagne cruise on the Seine or a private minivan tour of the city — for a different perspective of the capital. Warm regards, Alice de France Tourisme

Great boat trip

rob_v, Aug 2025

Great experience but commentator needs to keep French/English commentary shorter so comments more relevant ie boat has not overtaken the sight. Also drop off point not good for someone with a walker - too many steps up to road!!

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Thank you very much for your thoughtful feedback! We’re glad you enjoyed the cruise overall, and we truly appreciate your comments about the timing of the commentary and the accessibility of the drop-off point. These are helpful insights that we’ll share with our team to improve the experience. We hope to welcome you again — perhaps on a Seine dinner cruise or a guided museum tour, both fully accessible and equally enjoyable. Warm regards, Alice from France Tourisme

A very pleasant surprise.

Malcolm_B, Aug 2025

Was far more comprehensive than we were expecting, really good value for money.. certainly would recommend it…

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re thrilled the cruise exceeded your expectations and that you found it such great value. Your recommendation means a lot to us! We’d be happy to welcome you again — perhaps for a sunset cruise or a day trip to Giverny or Versailles. Warm regards, Alice from France Tourisme

Canal cruise adventure

lynmansfield14, Jul 2025

It was an awesome experience and the hostess was very informative. The cruise was fantastic and we met some nice people

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had such an awesome experience on the Canal to Seine cruise, and that the hostess made the journey even more enriching. It’s always a pleasure to know that our cruises not only showcase the charm of Paris from the water but also bring people together in such a friendly and enjoyable way. If you’re up for more Parisian adventures next time, we’d love to have you join us for a visit to Giverny to explore Monet’s gardens, or perhaps a sparkling Champagne tasting day in Reims. Each tour is a unique experience, just like this one! Warm regards, Alice from France Tourisme

How do we tip. ?

Kathryn_L, Jul 2025

I booked everything on line with a credit card. I had no euros bills or coins during my whole visit to Paris. I wished there was a way to leave the guides tips by card. After the tour a link back to Viator for that purpose would be great. The booking offices would have to be trusted, so Viator should secure the tip goes to the guide.

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Thank you so much for your lovely review — and for your thoughtful comment about tipping! We truly appreciate your kindness. While tipping is not mandatory, we understand how important it is to thank a great guide, and we’ve shared your suggestion with our team and partners at Viator. We hope to welcome you again soon! Alice de France Tourisme

A Must Do!

Beth_D, Jun 2025

Such a fun and informative experience. There was great mix of history combined with a beautiful scenic ride. I would absolutely recommend this to someone else.

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Dear Beth, Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the cruise and its perfect blend of history and scenic beauty. We’d love to welcome you again soon — perhaps for a sunset champagne cruise or a guided tour of the Louvre or Orsay Museum to continue your Parisian discoveries. See you next time! Alice from France Tourisme

Loved the bar tender....

Dana_L, Jun 2025

Loved the bar tender. Funny and helpful Wish there had been some written information about what we were seeing. The guide spoke multiple languages, which was great except it was hard to follow and hard to hear. Large group next to us talk the entire time. So I’m not sure of the many things we saw simply because we couldn’t hear and it got confusing with all the other languages involved.

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Hello Dana, Thanks so much for your feedback! We're glad you enjoyed the bartender’s vibe — a little humor always helps, right? Sorry about the noise and the language juggling making it hard to follow. It can get tricky in a mixed group, especially with background chatter. We appreciate your honesty and will look into ways to improve the info delivery and maybe add some written guides for clarity. By the way, don’t forget to check out our other tailored tours designed to offer a more personalized and immersive experience—perfect if you want clearer explanations and smaller groups! Thanks again for sharing!

So worth it!

Teresa, May 2025

The underground canal section was amazing! (And unexpected). The locks (dropping 6 metres) and that part was an extraordinary experience. Love it. Worth the tickets in its own!

Response from Host, May 2025

Hello Teresa, Thank you for your generous review and your kind comment, which is very much appreciated. At France Tourisme, our entire team wakes up every morning with the goal of making our clients' days special through our tours, excursions and Seine River cruises. We hope you enjoyed the cruise! This tour is very famous because it allows you to discover Paris from a different angle, namely from the Seine! If you come back, I recommend a guided tour of the Louvre, the largest museum in the world and a must-see in Paris! We also offer lovely day trips to beautiful destinations such as Mont Saint Michel, which you can read about on our website! Thank you again for your trust, Have a nice day! Alice from France Tourisme

Very nice combination of...

Nancy_R, May 2025

Very nice combination of the canal (thru the long tunnel) and the usual Seine itinerary, with good commentary.

Response from Host, May 2025

Hello Nancy, Thank you for your generous review and your kind comment, which is very much appreciated. At France Tourisme, our entire team wakes up every morning with the goal of making our clients' days special through our tours, excursions and Seine River cruises. We hope you enjoyed the cruise! This tour is very famous because it allows you to discover Paris from a different angle, namely from the Seine! If you come back, I recommend a guided tour of the Louvre, the largest museum in the world and a must-see in Paris! We also offer lovely day trips to beautiful destinations such as Mont Saint Michel, which you can read about on our website! Thank you again for your trust, Have a nice day! Alice from France Tourisme

Enjoyable Seine River Cruise

jlsinn98, May 2025

Nice ride through the locks of the Canal St Martin and down the Seine. The boat is the one docked across from the meeting point so you go straight to the ship I would suggest getting there 30 min early to board and get a seat outside on top of downstairs inside. We got there 15 min early as suggested and most of the passengers were already on the boat. The captain provided great continuous narration and history but it was hard to hear him clearly due to all the loud people talking. Otherwise the Seine is beautiful and worth the trip. There is a concession stand where you can buy drinks - soda, wine, beer, juices.

Response from Host, May 2025

Hello, Thank you for your generous review and your kind comment, which is very much appreciated. At France Tourisme, our entire team wakes up every morning with the goal of making our clients' days special through our tours, excursions and Seine River cruises. We hope you enjoyed the cruise! This tour is very famous because it allows you to discover Paris from a different angle, namely from the Seine! If you come back, I recommend a guided tour of the Louvre, the largest museum in the world and a must-see in Paris! We also offer lovely day trips to beautiful destinations such as Mont Saint Michel, which you can read about on our website! Thank you again for your trust, Have a nice day! Alice from France Tourisme

Get on-board

Nita_D, Apr 2025

Was a relaxing, informative tour - loved the lochs - very interesting engineering. Nice view of Eiffel Tower.

Response from Host, May 2025

Hi Nita, Thank you very much for your generous review and lovely comment, which really warms our hearts. At France Tourisme, our entire team wakes up every morning with the goal of making our clients' days special through our tours, excursions and Seine River Cruises. We hope you enjoyed the cruise! This tour is quite famous as it allows people to discover Paris from a different angle, from the Seine! If you plan to come back, I would recommend the guided visit of the Louvre, this wonderful museum is the largest museum in the world, a must see in Paris! We also offer nice day-trips to beautiful destinations like Mont Saint Michel, you can check it out on our website! Thank you again for your confidence, Have a nice day! Alice from France Tourisme

Great ride

JeannieD_H, Oct 2024

I felt this boat ride was unique. Starting with the tunnel, water locks, guide information and the provided snacks of crepes. I highly recommend this excursion.

Do it

Melinda_W, Oct 2024

This was a lovely experience with the family, going through the locks was cool, and also informative with constant commentary. Highly recommend.

Maddening

Pamela_S, Oct 2024

Just arrived in Paris, We hired a cab to find the spot you wanted to meet. We arrived on time in the pouring rain and there was not a boat in sight. We waited a bit and had him drop us back at hotel. 54.00 in cab fares 150.00 for trip so out 200.00. Very maddening. No phone number for Viator on site. I want all my money back.

Response from Host, Oct 2024

Thank you for your review Pamela. We are sorry to read your experience did not go as planned. In order to better understand the situation please contact us directly through your customer account, that way we will be able to find a solution together. Have a good day, Christophe from France Tourisme

Great boat trip with snacks!

Sophie_L, Sep 2024

Great trip down the seine. Saw lots of things you wouldnt from the ground! Great to have a different view and perspective. Great value for the length of the trip too!!

Amazing

Tom, Sep 2024

Most interesting tour and history of the locks and the tunnel leading to the Seine. The best part of the trip. Then as a great extra, you get the Seine cruise for an hour. Great value

Very pleased!

Perry_P, Aug 2024

Excellent tour and excellent commentary. This trip exceeded our expectations for what we saw. The only reason I did not give five stars is that nothing was said about small kids roaming around on the boat and climbing in the railings in the front. For the more mature traveler without kids, this was a nuisance. Everything else was absolutely perfect!!!

I would recommend this canal tour.

Christopher_C, Aug 2024

Overall it was a really nice trip. This canal cruise adds a whole other dimension compared with the Seine river cruise. The canal has locks and a long old tunnel system. We still were able to cruise the Seine river and the cruise ended right about the time it should have. They provide food and drinks and the tour guide was very informative.

Excellent tour

Kerry_M, Aug 2024

Excellent tour, one of our favourite activities in Paris. Super knowledgeable guide. Highly recommend

Not worth time or money

Nanette_M, Jul 2024

In two different places the description says 20 people max but there were over 100 people on the boat. We couldn’t hear anything because multiple young kids running around and talking very loudly. Not worth time or money. I’ve been on other Seine cruises that were much much better.

Response from Host, Jul 2024

Hello, thank you for your feedback. We are sorry to read your experience din't match your expectations and apologize for any confusion. The maximum number of people per reservation is 20 persons, which is not the maximum of people on board. We contacted Viator to change this information as fast as possible. Again, sorry for the confusion. Have a good day, Christophe from France Tourisme

Beautiful Canal/River Cruise!

Rachel_L, Jun 2024

Fantastic afternoon canal and Seine river cruise!! It was such a wonderful way to see the city. Wonderful and kind boat crew. Also, we learned a lot of new and interesting information learned along the way. Highly recommend!

Worthwhile Tour

Thomas_H, Jun 2024

Nice pace, great tour guide - very good at presenting in two languages. Fantastic views on the Seine of Eiffel Tower and so much more!

Great Tour!

Annie_F, May 2024

Loved this tour we were able to experience going through the locks when changing from the canal to the river and the best part was finding the Statue of Liberty and being able to take a photo of her with the Eiffel Tower in the background!

Better than just a river cruise!!

Sally_H, Oct 2023

So glad we chose this tour over a cruise that only included the river. The history of the canal, the experience of the locks and the tunnel were fantastic. The cruise was both relaxing and informative. Our guide Ben was knowledgable and entertaining. We would highly recommend this boat cruise.

Great trip with a great team!

Carly_B, Oct 2023

Great team, helpful, informative and friendly. What a lovely way to spend an afternoon, seeing all of the key sights and learning more about Paris. We had a lovely time! Thank you

River and Canal Cruise

Karen_B, Oct 2023

We thought this was a cruise for 20 people and were surprised there were well over 100. We were on the upper deck which became very crowded. We met some lovely people and loved hearing about their vacation. The cruise itself was interesting, and we enjoyed seeing all the landmarks from the water. Unfortunately, our guide was difficult to understand/hear because of the poor quality of the sound system.