If the July 26 opening ceremony of the Olympic Games and its river parade of athletes made you want to hop aboard a boat to see Paris from a different vantage point, rest assured, there's no shortage of options to choose from. From the traditional cruise at the foot of the Eiffel Tower to a self-guided tour of Île Seguin, a street art-themed cruise in Seine-Saint-Denis or a trip down the Canal Saint-Martin featuring skulls and candy for Halloween, there are many different to sail around the region.
Now that's what we call a sight for sore eyes. First, there's the Eiffel Tower, towering over the pier and engrossing the young sailors waiting to leave Terra Firma. Once on board, the splendor of Notre Dame, the Louvre or the Alexandre-III bridge is sure to capture their attention.
For over an hour, a tour guide keeps the curiosity of younger visitors alive with anecdotes and riddles. "What's the monument that tells the time twice?"; "What's the oldest bridge in Paris?" she asks. The answers come thick and fast in a merry cacophony.
Spare a thought for passing tourists who didn't know they were signing up for the family version of the Vedettes de Paris cruise. This version for parents and children – especially suited for those aged 6 to 12 – was created in 2021 and is available on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, all year round, including during the winter months. On arrival, young children can even earn a captain's diploma. Beware of possible turbulence: You'll have to pass through the souvenir store to get back to the quay of the Suffren Port.
Vedettes de Paris, Suffren Port (Paris 7th arrondissement). Prices: €20 for adults, €9 for children over 3.
The boats offering trips on the Marne River are about to be mothballed for the winter season, and won't be back in service until April. But you can still take one last trip and admire the autumn colors of the vegetation from Nogent-Sur-Marne (Val-de-Marne department), Neuilly-Plaisance (Seine-Saint-Denis department), Neuilly-sur-Marne (Seine-Saint-Denis) or Lagny-sur-Marne (Seine-et-Marne department). While there is no special children's version of the tour, its guides tailor it to the audience on board. You can also take part in themed trips, including one on the local flora and fauna – animals are always a hit – or a cinema-themed journey along locations where films have been shot.
Cap sur la Marne. Price: €15 for adults and €10 for under-12s.
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