Our Top-Rated Lunch, Brunch & Champagne Cruises In Paris

Although we adore Seine River dinner cruises, a daytime cruise featuring lunch, brunch, or champagne has a special appeal. A big advantage, of course, is that you're able to view the city's iconic landmarks during the day. From the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre to the city's historic islands, you take in a lot during a daytime cruise. Climb aboard with us as we present the top Paris river cruises that sail by day and include some intriguing surprises.

River Cruise with 3-Course Classic Lunch

On a bateaux specially designed for serving elegant meals (and for allowing great views), dine on linen tablecloths as you cruise past the landmarks of Paris. The boat from Bateaux Parisiens departs at 12:30 PM from very near the Eiffel Tower. Soon after the boat sails you'll be lunching on noix de saint jacques, saumon fumé, foie gras de canard, pavé de bœuf and other French specialties. This cruise has become very popular, so book as early as you can.

Champagne Seine River Cruise

Knowing us, is it any surprise that this one is our favorite? Sip champagne as you cruise down the river Seine past the most remarkable monuments of Paris — the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, Musée d'Orsay, the Grand Palais, and so many others. A trained French sommelier conducts a tasting of a flight of three champagnes. What we like the most, though, is that it's a real VIP experience with priority access to a private deck at the front of the boat.

#3. Seine River Cruise & Champagne Brunch

What will the folks back home think when you tell them you had a bubbly brunch on the Seine! We like the idea of seeing the best of Paris while enjoying flaky croissants, fresh platters of fruit, eggs Benedict, and a coupe de champagne. With the monuments of Paris as your backdrop, you'll enjoy brunch seated at a table. Afterwards, you can go outdoors to the main deck lounge, or the upper level terrace to take in the City of Light from the river. The views are magnificent, the brunch is delicious, and the service is top-notch.

Seine River Cruise + Bistro Lunch

Here's how this one works — climb aboard for a one-hour cruise on a glass-walled boat, whence you can view all the majestic Paris monuments. Then, back on land, it's a short stroll to the nearby Le Bistro Parisien — a restaurant-on-a-boat permanently docked at the foot of the Eiffel Tower — for a classic French 3-course lunch, including wine. What we like about this tour is the flexibility. You can take the Seine river cruise before or after your bistro lunch. Travelers are raving about the quality of the lunch and the spectacular views of the Eiffel Tower from the restaurant.

Seine River Cruise & Paris Canals Tour

There's no lunch or champagne served, but this river cruise delivers a twist as it also sails along the city's historic canal. As you slowly make your way along Canal Saint Martin, you pass through an amazing underground waterway, and then cruise down the Seine. It's a fascinating experience passing through lock after lock on the canal as your boat rises (or lowers) to the next level. The canal runs through Paris neighborhoods, so you're able to see la vie Parisienne along the route.