Bateaux mouches are the boats that traverse the river Seine (La Seine) up and down, carrying loads of tourists. Most have open air seating on the deck though there are also glass roofed boats (mostly for the lunch or dinner cruises). Mention Bateau mouche to a Parisian and the most likely reaction would be to poo poo these rides that a Parisian considers just too touristy and way too kitsch to believe. In public, I too poo poo the boat rides, but in private it’s a different matter. These rides are fun and you do get to see Paris at its best.
Visiting friends of course are my best excuse to go on these rides. Sighing heavily as if I was making a huge sacrifice, I would take them all on these boat rides shine or rain and day or night. In the winter, the open deck does get a bit cold though on the lower decks there are enclosed seating granted with less spectacular view. Day and night rides do give different views of Paris. Day time is fun to enjoy the sun (if it’s out) and admire the architecture of Paris landmarks in all their details (the boats pass the Louvre, Académie Française, Notre Dame, les Invalides and the Grand and the Petit Palais among others). At night, with the artistic lighting that must cost Parisian tax payers bunches of money these buildings take on a different allure altogether…less imposing maybe but softer, more mysterious and indeed evoke more the romantic image people have of Paris. I must admit that the name the City of Light for Paris is indeed well deserved. Most of these rides start at Pont d’Alma (Métro Alma Marceau) or Pont Neuf and will take you as far as the train station Austerlitz and back.
Another less known but more interesting boat ride is the one that 
goes from Bastille (Métro Bastille, when you go out of the station, go to the canal side where you see lots of boats anchored) to Jaurés (Métro Jaurés, in front of the cinema MK2) on the canal Saint Martin. On this ride, you will pass many neighborhoods of Paris giving you glimpses of the different facets of Parisian life and not just its landmarks. This ride is a lot longer as often we have to wait for the water gates to be opened and closed. Waiting for the water to go down on one side and up on the other, you can watch the neighborhood activities and watch people go about their business.
So, next time you have visitors, pack a lunch and go on the boat ride…you may have to contain your own excitement to convince your friends that you have become a true Parisian though.
Visiting friends of course are my best excuse to go on these rides. Sighing heavily as if I was making a huge sacrifice, I would take them all on these boat rides shine or rain and day or night. In the winter, the open deck does get a bit cold though on the lower decks there are enclosed seating granted with less spectacular view. Day and night rides do give different views of Paris. Day time is fun to enjoy the sun (if it’s out) and admire the architecture of Paris landmarks in all their details (the boats pass the Louvre, Académie Française, Notre Dame, les Invalides and the Grand and the Petit Palais among others). At night, with the artistic lighting that must cost Parisian tax payers bunches of money these buildings take on a different allure altogether…less imposing maybe but softer, more mysterious and indeed evoke more the romantic image people have of Paris. I must admit that the name the City of Light for Paris is indeed well deserved. Most of these rides start at Pont d’Alma (Métro Alma Marceau) or Pont Neuf and will take you as far as the train station Austerlitz and back.
Another less known but more interesting boat ride is the one that 
goes from Bastille (Métro Bastille, when you go out of the station, go to the canal side where you see lots of boats anchored) to Jaurés (Métro Jaurés, in front of the cinema MK2) on the canal Saint Martin. On this ride, you will pass many neighborhoods of Paris giving you glimpses of the different facets of Parisian life and not just its landmarks. This ride is a lot longer as often we have to wait for the water gates to be opened and closed. Waiting for the water to go down on one side and up on the other, you can watch the neighborhood activities and watch people go about their business.
So, next time you have visitors, pack a lunch and go on the boat ride…you may have to contain your own excitement to convince your friends that you have become a true Parisian though.
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