3-Course Lunch Cruise

Paris: 3-Course Lunch Cruise on the River Seine runs through Extime Travel. Rated 4.4 across 1,620 reviews. Runs 1.5 hours. From $77.

Overview

Ninety minutes on the water, lunch served while Paris drifts past the windows. This cruise, run by Extime Travel aboard a Paris Seine boat, boards at Port Solferino on the Quai Anatole France, a spot one reviewer found easy to reach because it sits near the Musée d'Orsay. The boat itself is glass-enclosed, so the views hold up even when the weather turns, something at least one reviewer appreciated on a grey day.

The meal runs in the classic French order. A selection of starters arrives first, then a choice of main course: sea bass with cauliflower cream, guinea fowl with a tatin and oyster mushrooms, or beef fillet with shiitake and a porcini reduction, the last carrying a €10 supplement payable on site. Dessert is a chocolate and mandarin creation from Paris Seine, with coffee or tea to finish. Vegetarian options exist, and the printed menu is a sample, so dishes can change.

Between courses the boat passes the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Musée d'Orsay façade, the National Assembly and under the Pont Neuf. Reviewers repeatedly single out the staff, from a waitress who could not do enough to a team that helped an older passenger with a walker get the best seat.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Port SolferinoBoard at Port Solferino on the Quai Anatole France, close to the Musée d'Orsay. The exact departure point can vary with the option selected.
2. Seine lunch cruiseA boat cruise of 1.5 hours with a 3-course lunch served on board, plus coffee or tea.
3. Pass the landmarksSail past the Musée d'Orsay, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the National Assembly and Notre Dame, and under the Pont Neuf.
4. Return to Port SolferinoThe boat returns to the departure point and the rest of the day is free.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points worth knowing before booking, drawn from the listing and from what multiple travellers reported.

• Getting there. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan the walk or metro ride to the quai yourself. One reviewer found the exact boarding point unclear on the booking info and messaged the help team, who replied quickly with step-by-step photos.
• Sitting and comfort. The boat is glass-enclosed, which reviewers say gives good window views from the table, and one mentioned it worked well as a fallback when the weather looked poor. The cruise is a seated meal rather than a walking activity.
• Food and extras. Starters, a choice of main, dessert and coffee or tea are included. The beef main carries a €10 supplement payable on site, as does a cheese option. Vegetarian options are available.
• Commentary. Several travellers said they wanted clearer information about which buildings they were passing, so it helps to know the main landmarks in advance or follow along on a map.
• Pace and timing. The whole cruise lasts 1.5 hours, which one reviewer described as a nice window for lunch and sightseeing. It runs at midday, so it pairs well with other plans earlier or later in the day.
• Accessibility. One reviewer travelled with a grandmother using a walker and said the staff were accommodating and found them a good seat. Pets and smoking are not allowed on board.

Common issues. The most consistent criticism is the lack of landmark commentary: more than one reviewer wanted a way to identify the buildings passing by. One traveller also found the pickup point details on the booking information incomplete and had to contact the help team. Extras can add up, since the beef main and a cheese option each carry a €10 supplement payable on site. Groups of 15 or more must pre-order mains at least a week ahead, with a mandatory drink package paid on board.

Before You Book A Tour