Paris: Seine dinner cruise with live music & champagne

Summary

Float past Paris icons on a dinner cruise with music, champagne, and city lights

You’ll board a Bateaux-Mouches boat for an evening Seine dinner cruise in Paris with live music and a four-course French meal (plus champagne). Watch landmarks like Notre Dame and Pont Neuf drift by as you relax with locals and travelers alike — it’s an experience that lingers long after you step back onto land.

What’s the experience like?

“If you want to see Paris fall in love with itself, watch the river at night,” our waiter said as he poured the first glass of champagne. I’d barely settled into my seat by the window when the boat pushed off from the quay — there was this low hum from the engines and suddenly we were gliding past Notre Dame, its towers glowing against the dusk. The air inside smelled like warm bread and something floral from someone’s perfume nearby. I kept pressing my fingers to the cold glass, trying to catch every reflection outside — it’s hard not to feel like you’re in some old movie.

The dinner was four courses (I lost count of which fork to use after the second), but honestly, I remember more about how the chocolate dessert tasted than anything else — rich but not too sweet. Our guide, Lucie, stopped by each table just to check if we needed anything or wanted stories about what we were passing. She pointed out Pont Neuf and told us about Jean Bruel inventing these Bateaux-Mouches cruises back in 1949; apparently Parisians thought he was a little mad at first. There was live music too — a couple playing Edith Piaf songs — and at one point someone proposed two tables over. Everyone clapped, even though most of us didn’t know each other.

I didn’t expect to laugh so much on a “romantic” night out (my partner tried to pronounce Conciergerie and gave up halfway through). The city looked different from the water — softer somehow, less hurried. Every so often you’d catch someone waving from one of those bridges or see a couple dancing on the upper deck. By the time we floated past the Eiffel Tower all lit up, I realized I’d stopped checking my phone hours ago. That’s rare for me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Romantic Seine Dinner Cruise

• Board Bateaux-Mouches boat
• Enjoy 4-course gourmet dinner
• Sip champagne and choose dessert
• Relax with live music
• View Paris landmarks from the river

Top questions

Is pickup included for this Paris dinner cruise?

No, pickup is not included; guests board directly at the dock.

What is included in the Seine dinner cruise?

The cruise includes a four-course dinner, a glass of champagne, and live music.

Is there a dress code for this Bateaux-Mouches cruise?

Yes, formal attire is required for this evening cruise experience.

Are vegetarian options available during dinner?

The menu offers choices; ask your server onboard for vegetarian selections.

How long does the Paris Valentine’s Day dinner cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately three hours along the Seine River.

Is this Seine river cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes, boarding is wheelchair accessible for guests with mobility needs.

Can children join this Paris river dinner cruise?

Yes, families are welcome and specialized infant seats are available if needed.

What’s included

Your evening includes boarding on a Bateaux-Mouches restaurant boat in Paris, a four-course French dinner served at your table with a glass of champagne to start things off right, plus live musicians performing throughout your three-hour Seine river journey before returning to shore later that night.