Where to board a Seine cruise in Paris

1Port de la Bourdonnais: Bateaux Parisiens

This is the quay on the left bank directly below the Eiffel Tower. Bateaux Parisiens occupies a row of numbered pontoons, each with a large number displayed on top. The operator gives these ways to get there: metro line 6 to Bir-Hakeim or Trocadéro, RER C to Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel, or buses 42, 69, 82 and 87.

The one-hour sightseeing cruise boards at pontoon 3 and returns there. The lunch and dinner cruises board at pontoon 5 or 7, and your voucher shows a meeting-point photo. If there is a problem with a sightseeing ticket, the listing sends you to the Bateaux Parisiens ticket office at pier 1.

The operator says there is no public car park on site and points drivers to the car park at the Musée du Quai Branly nearby.

2Port de Solférino: Paris Seine

The Paris Seine lunch and dinner cruises leave from the quay below the Musée d'Orsay. You reach it by the stairs that go down to the river from the museum side. Nearest stations are Musée d'Orsay on RER C, and Assemblée Nationale or Solférino on metro line 12.

The two listings give the address in different ways. One uses 1 rue de la Légion d'Honneur, the other Promenade Edouard Glissant, and the dinner listing prints the postcode as 75005. The pier is in the 7th arrondissement, next to the museum. Navigate to the Musée d'Orsay and go down to the water.

Paris Seine asks every passenger to show photo ID on the day. Both listings state that these boats are not wheelchair accessible.

3Batobus stops

Batobus has nine stops and you can start at any of them. Its Eiffel Tower stop is at the same Port de la Bourdonnais as Bateaux Parisiens, and its Musée d'Orsay stop is on the Solférino quay, so do not confuse the shuttle with the cruise boats moored alongside.

You do not need to print anything: scan the QR code on your voucher at the stop. The same stops display the QR code for the commentary app.

4How early to arrive

For the one-hour cruise the listing asks for at least 15 minutes. In practice it also warns that the wait to board can reach an hour in high season, and it recommends morning slots. Do not schedule anything tight straight after an afternoon departure in summer.

For Bateaux Parisiens lunch and dinner, arrive 15 to 30 minutes before the time on the voucher. For Paris Seine meal cruises, boarding takes place 15 minutes before departure. Late arrivals risk missing the boat, and a no-show is not refunded.

5Bags, security and what gets turned away

Bateaux Parisiens searches bags and asks you to open coats and jackets before boarding. Small backpacks, handbags and briefcases are fine. Luggage over 16 litres is refused, and the operator says it cannot be left in a cloakroom either. If you are cruising on your arrival or departure day, store suitcases somewhere else first.

Animals are not allowed on Bateaux Parisiens boats, guide dogs excepted. On the 8:30 pm dinner cruise the operator can refuse jeans, trainers, shorts and caps.

All sailings depend on the weather and the level of the river. The sightseeing listing states that a change of route does not entitle you to a refund.

Boarding points at a glance