New
Happy Hour Cruise on the Seine
PARIS CANAL
75007 - Musée d'Orsay
Two departures per dayBar & MusicE-ticket excluding drinksSunset aperitif
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Embark with Paris Canal for an unusual 2.5-hour cruise on the Canal Saint-Martin or a festive aperitif on the Seine. Locks, the Bastille vault, and illuminated monuments are on the agenda.
PARIS CANAL
75007 - Musée d'Orsay
PARIS CANAL
75007 - Musée d'Orsay / 75019 - Villette
Pioneers of unusual river navigation in Paris for over forty years, Paris Canal opens the doors to a secret capital, to be experienced along the water through two unique experiences:
Julien
Cruise Expert
Only Paris Canal offers this complete one-way itinerary, linking the historic heart of Paris to the dynamic Bassin de la Villette, passing under the little-known genius of the Bastille vault. This route exists nowhere else in this form: an absolute exclusivity that alone justifies the reservation. And for those who enjoy evening ambiance, the Happy Hour formula complements the offer with a festive loop on the Seine at sunset. Two radically different ways to experience the city from the water, signed by the same reference operator.
Pioneering company of tourist river navigation in Paris, Paris Canal capitalizes on four decades of enriched commentary, passionate crews, and boats designed for the comfort of every passenger. This accumulated experience translates into a warm welcome, smooth service, instantly confirmed e-tickets, and a bilingual guide narration that competitors simply cannot match. Booking with Paris Canal means offering yourself the peace of mind of proven expertise, on the canal as well as on the Seine.
Your Canal Saint-Martin Cruise begins on the Seine, departing from the Port de Solférino opposite the Musée d'Orsay, with a majestic navigation along the quays of the Louvre, Notre-Dame, and Île Saint-Louis. The boat then enters the Port de l'Arsenal before venturing under the underground vault of the Bastille, a nearly two-kilometer tunnel punctuated by hypnotic light wells. The canal then opens up to the sky and unfolds its nine locks, four swing bridges, and romantic footbridges, up to the large Bassin de la Villette, the gateway to the Parc de la Villette.
As for the Happy Hour Cruise, the route is a 1.5-hour loop from the Port de Solférino: the boat glides past the Tuileries Garden, the Louvre, Île de la Cité, and Île Saint-Louis, with an unobstructed view of the illuminated Eiffel Tower, before returning to the quay in a gentle musical end-of-day ambiance.
Quai Anatole France
75007 Paris
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Patrice D.
Patrice D. · August 2026
Superb cruise under a big blue sky and radiant sun. Excellent bilingual guide French-English who knows his subject perfectly and doesn't hesitate to use humor. Highly recommended at 101% Myriam and Patrice Belgium
Jean R.
Jean R. · August 2026
Very pleasant moment, especially during the shaded lock passages. Very good idea to have included Ourq, St Martin, and Seine in the itinerary to Orsay. Very good comments from the accompanying guide.
joelle M.
joelle M. · August 2026
Great! Skilled navigator at the helm. Captain Guide, perfect.
Sylvette G.
Sylvette G. · August 2026
Paul C.
Paul C. · August 2026
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Where and how to board the Canal Saint-Martin cruise with Paris Canal?
For your Canal Saint-Martin cruise, you have two boarding points to choose from: the Port de Solférino (Quai Anatole France, 75007), accessible by metro Line 12 Solférino station or RER C Musée d'Orsay station, and the Parc de la Villette (211 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 75019), accessible via Metro Lines 5 and 7. The navigation direction being one-way, you choose your starting point according to your day's program. It is recommended to arrive at least 15 minutes before the departure time indicated on your ticket to board smoothly.
How long is the Canal Saint-Martin boat cruise with Paris Canal?
The Canal Saint-Martin cruise with Paris Canal lasts about 2.5 hours of continuous navigation. It is a one-way trip between the Port de Solférino and the Parc de la Villette (or in the reverse direction depending on your choice of departure). This one-way format is intentional: it allows you to combine the cruise with a walking exploration of the arrival district, whether it's the quays of the 7th arrondissement on the Orsay side or the cultural effervescence of Villette on the northeast side. For comparison, the Happy Hour cruise on the Seine lasts 1.5 hours in a loop.
Are children allowed on the Canal Saint-Martin cruise in Paris?
This cruise is particularly suitable for families with children. Children under 4 years old board for free and strollers can be brought on deck. Minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult. The experience is designed to captivate all ages: the crossing of the underground vault of the Bastille, the mechanical spectacle of the locks, and the passage under the swing bridges naturally fascinate the youngest, while the glazed interior lounge ensures the comfort of the whole family in any weather. Prices start from 25 € for this family outing.
Can you buy food and drinks on the Paris Canal boat?
A bar is available on board the Paris Canal boats depending on the departures, offering a selection of cold drinks, hot drinks, wines, beers, and snacks to enhance your navigation. A vending machine complements this offer on some boats. On the Happy Hour cruise on the Seine, the bar specifically highlights organic and local products: rosé, craft beer from Île-de-France, producer's champagne, and soft drinks. It is advisable to check the specific information for your departure at the time of booking, as services may vary depending on the chosen schedule.
Is the Canal Saint-Martin cruise covered in case of rain?
Your cruise takes place in all weather thanks to the presence of a fully covered and glazed interior lounge on the entire Paris Canal fleet. The large bay windows guarantee a complete panoramic view of the banks, locks, and monuments, even in the rain. The outdoor terrace remains accessible for travelers wishing to enjoy the open air on beautiful days. The cruise is not canceled due to rain: you board with peace of mind.
Are there any stops or layovers during the Paris Canal cruise on the Canal Saint-Martin?
The Canal Saint-Martin cruise takes place in continuous navigation, without intermediate stops or the possibility of disembarking along the way. It is a smooth 2.5-hour crossing between the two boarding points. It is therefore important to anticipate the entire journey before boarding and ensure that all members of your group are present at boarding, as no stops are planned during navigation.
Are Paris Canal boats accessible to wheelchair users?
The boats of the Paris Canal fleet are not accessible to wheelchair users (PMR). Access on board requires crossing several steps, making boarding impossible for people with significantly reduced mobility. Paris Canal is committed to clearly informing its customers about this point before any purchase. If you are affected by this situation, we recommend contacting the company directly before your reservation to explore possible solutions.
Should you book your place in advance for the Paris Canal cruise on the Canal Saint-Martin?
Advance booking is highly recommended, especially during weekends, school holidays, and the spring and summer months. Departures regularly sell out several days before the desired date. By purchasing your e-tickets online, you receive instant confirmation by email and avoid any unpleasant surprises on the day. Ticket collection on site is not guaranteed and exposes you to a real risk of unavailable seats. Book now starting from 25 €.
What are the reviews of the Canal Saint-Martin cruise with Paris Canal?
Traveler reviews regularly highlight the unusual and soothing nature of the route. The passage under the mysterious underground vault of the Bastille and the crossing of the locks are often cited as the highlights of the experience. Customers particularly appreciate the quality of the bilingual guide's commentary, which brings a true historical and cultural dimension, far from classic tourist cruises. The professionalism of the crew is a strong point in almost all feedback.
What is the price of a ticket for the Canal Saint-Martin cruise?
The prices for the 2.5-hour cruise on the Canal Saint-Martin vary according to the age of the passengers, starting from 25 €. Discounts are applied for children, young people, and certain categories, while babies under 4 years old board for free. The price of your official ticket includes the complete navigation from the Seine to the Bassin de la Villette (or vice versa) as well as the live guide commentary. Check our online booking calendar to discover the exact prices for your dates.
What does the Happy Hour cruise on the Seine consist of and how much does it cost?
The Happy Hour cruise on the Seine is a festive 1.5-hour river ride designed to relax at the end of the day in the heart of Paris, starting from 18 €. On board a comfortable ship, you navigate in a loop past the most beautiful Parisian monuments at sunset, in a relaxed lounge atmosphere. With its two departures at 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM, it provides the ideal setting for an afterwork, a birthday, or a romantic evening. Note: the ticket does not include bar consumption, which is charged separately on board.
Which Paris Canal cruise to choose between the Canal Saint-Martin and the Happy Hour?
It all depends on your mood. Opt for the Canal Saint-Martin Cruise (2.5 hours, starting from 25 €) if you seek a daytime cultural discovery, the unusual crossing of the locks and the Bastille vault, or a family outing. Prefer the Happy Hour Cruise on the Seine (1.5 hours, starting from 18 €) for a festive aperitif at sunset, with a drink and musical ambiance. The first tells the story of Paris, the second celebrates it: nothing prevents you from combining both for a complete river weekend.
There is a Paris that hurried tourists never see. A secret city, nestled between discreet quays, romantic iron footbridges, and Haussmannian facades reflecting in calm waters. This is precisely the Paris that Paris Canal reveals to you, the founding company of Parisian river tourism. For over forty years, this pioneering operator has invented and then perfected an art of crossing that no one else masters as finely. Forty years of expertise, passion passed on, and continuous improvement, which are felt on board, in every detail, on each of its two emblematic cruises.
Whether you dream of a cultural escape by day or a festive aperitif at sunset, the house offers you two complementary experiences. The first, the commented cruise on the Canal Saint-Martin, takes you to meet a timeless Paris. The second, the Happy Hour cruise on the Seine, transforms the end of the day into an enchanted interlude. Two atmospheres, one exceptional operator.
As soon as the hull glides out of the Port de l'Arsenal, the city's noise fades. Gradually. Almost miraculously. The 2.5-hour cruise on the Canal Saint-Martin offered by Paris Canal is a one-way trip, and it is precisely this editorial choice that makes it so rich. It is not a repetitive round trip, but a true crossing of Paris, from the historic heart to creative and contemporary Paris. It all starts at the Port de Solférino, a stone's throw from the Musée d'Orsay and Saint-Germain-des-Prés, before the boat plunges into a world that few visitors suspect.
The journey shifts into a strange silence, that of the underground vault of the Bastille. Pierced under the Boulevard Richard-Lenoir in the mid-19th century, this nearly two-kilometer tunnel is one of the capital's most unknown architectural curiosities. On board your boat on the Canal Saint-Martin, you see the circular light wells that punctuate the vault at regular intervals, casting columns of light on the dark water. The effect is hypnotic, almost cinematic. Children hold their breath, adults take out their phones and then put them away, captivated by the moment. This sequence alone justifies booking this unusual cruise.
Once the vault is crossed, the canal opens up and reveals its charms in the open air. The mechanics of the locks is a spectacle in itself: watching the wooden gates slowly open, feeling the boat rise or fall several meters with the water level, observing the lock keepers maneuver with ancestral precision. All this belongs to a timeless Paris, that of Simenon and Arletty, that of barges and boatmen. Between the Port de l'Arsenal and the Bassin de la Villette, there are nine locks and four swing bridges: each crossing is a micro-adventure in its own right. The romantic arch footbridges follow one another, each framing a different postcard of popular and bohemian Paris, under a leafy vault of century-old plane trees.
The heart of the experience is the bilingual guide who accompanies each departure. His role is not limited to listing dates or numbers: he tells stories. He evokes the time when the Canal Saint-Martin supplied Paris with drinking water from the Ourcq, the popular balls that enlivened its banks in the 19th century, the film shoots that made its locks famous worldwide. In French and English, his narration transforms a simple boat ride on the Canal Saint-Martin into a true masterclass in Parisian culture. It is this extra soul that distinguishes this crossing from classic river walks.
When the day declines, Paris Canal changes the mood and invites you aboard its Happy Hour cruise on the Seine. This festive 1.5-hour loop ride, departing from the Port de Solférino, is the ideal option to unwind after work or conclude a day of sightseeing beautifully. The boat passes by the Tuileries Garden, the Louvre, Île de la Cité, Notre-Dame, and Île Saint-Louis, with a clear and mobile view of the sparkling Eiffel Tower. Away from the crowd on the banks, you enjoy a constantly changing view of the illuminated monuments.
On board, a modern bar highlights organic and local products. You can enjoy a glass of chilled rosé, a craft beer from the Île-de-France region, a producer's champagne, or a non-alcoholic drink, comfortably seated on the panoramic terrace. A relaxed lounge atmosphere envelops the navigation, conducive to end-of-day relaxation. To enjoy this aperitif along the water, simply book your Happy Hour cruise and let yourself be carried away.
With its two evening departures, at 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM, this festive navigation adapts to all your desires. It provides the perfect setting for a romantic tête-à-tête, a birthday with friends, or a memorable afterwork with your colleagues. The convivial atmosphere and the beauty of the Seine at sunset guarantee the success of your event, whether private or professional. And because families are welcome, non-alcoholic drinks are also on the menu.
The Paris Canal fleet has been designed with one goal: to make you enjoy the journey in the best conditions, on the canal as well as on the Seine. Each boat has two distinct and complementary spaces. The glazed interior lounge offers optimal comfort in all weather: its large windows guarantee an unobstructed view of the banks, locks, and monuments, even in the rain or on cool autumn days. The open-air panoramic terrace is the ideal place to breathe the Parisian air, photograph the footbridges as you pass, and let the panorama envelop you. A bar completes the experience with hot drinks, cold drinks, wines, beers, and snacks depending on the departures. Whether you choose the Canal Saint-Martin cruise or the Happy Hour formula, you board ships designed for leisurely exploration.
The departure from the Port de Solférino, Quai Anatole France in the 7th arrondissement, is already an invitation to travel. A stone's throw from the Musée d'Orsay and its Impressionist collections, a stone's throw from Saint-Germain-des-Prés and its literary cafés, the navigation on the Seine offers a royal perspective on some of Paris's most iconic monuments: the Louvre, the Tuileries, Notre-Dame, Île Saint-Louis and its mansions. At the other end of the canal crossing, the Parc de la Villette and its Basin offer a fitting finale. This trendy district of the 19th arrondissement houses the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie, the Philharmonie de Paris, and a permanent cultural effervescence. Disembarking here after 2.5 hours of navigation is to complete a journey through two Parises in a single half-day. This unique setting is never just a backdrop: the real star is the experience that Paris Canal composes for you along the water.
On the reservation side, the company has modernized its customer experience without losing its soul. Your official tickets are confirmed instantly by email upon ordering. You board stress-free, without queuing, with your e-ticket on your smartphone, and free seating allows you to choose your favorite spot. Traveler reviews are unanimous: the professionalism of the crew and the quality of the commentary make these cruises much more than simple walks. In high season, seats sell out very quickly every weekend: we recommend booking your Canal Saint-Martin cruise or your Happy Hour cruise several days in advance. By choosing Paris Canal, you don't just visit Paris: you cross it, you feel it, you inhabit it for the duration of a navigation you won't soon forget.