Booking choice: The one-hour sightseeing cruise, from $21 per person. Check dates Compare the options below
Night cruises are what most people picture when they think of the Seine, and they are why sunset departures are the busiest of the day. You do not need a special ticket: the ordinary one-hour sightseeing cruise runs into the evening, and the dinner cruises are timed for the lights.
Sunset in Paris shifts by several hours across the year, so plan from the sunset time for your date, not from a fixed clock time.
The quick answer
Board 30 to 45 minutes before sunset (check the sunset time for your date) to see Paris in golden light and then lit up. The Eiffel Tower glows gold from dusk and sparkles for five minutes at the start of every hour after dark, so aim to be near the tower on the hour. The one-hour sightseeing cruise is the simplest and cheapest way to do it.
What is the best time for a Seine cruise at night?
About 30 to 45 minutes before sunset: you sail out in golden light and come back with the monuments lit up.
Look up the sunset time for your date and pick the departure just before it. In early summer that can mean boarding late in the evening; in winter it is late afternoon. Guests who started half an hour before sunset describe pink skies and a perfectly timed tower lighting.
Picked your sunset departure? The sightseeing ticket is valid on any boat that day.
Check dates for the one-hour sightseeing cruiseWhen does the Eiffel Tower sparkle?
For five minutes at the start of every hour after dark; the tower's golden lighting comes on at dusk.
On a one-hour loop from the tower, the easiest plan is to board about half an hour before the hour: you will be heading back toward the tower as it starts to sparkle. If you board on the hour, you get the sparkle at the start instead. Either way, stay near the top deck for the view.
Which cruise should you book for the evening?
The one-hour sightseeing cruise for the view on a budget; the 8:30 pm dinner cruise for a full night out; the 6:15 pm early dinner if you want to eat earlier.
| Cruise | Departs | Length | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sightseeing cruise | Every 30 to 60 min, into the evening | 1 hour | $21 | Sunset and the sparkle on a budget |
| Dinner cruise | 8:30 pm | 2.5 hours | $144 | A special night with the lights |
| Early dinner cruise | 6:15 pm | 1 hr 15 min | $132 | Dinner at dusk in autumn and winter |
| Bistro Parisien + cruise | From 6 pm | About 3 hours | $83 | Dinner ashore, then a twilight cruise |
What will you see lit up?
The Eiffel Tower, Pont Alexandre III, the Louvre, the Conciergerie, the Musee d'Orsay and Notre-Dame are all floodlit after dark.
The route is the same as by day, but the lighting changes it completely: gilded statues on the bridges, lit facades along both banks and reflections on the water. The Conciergerie on Ile de la Cité is one of the most striking at night.
Is the dinner cruise good for night views?
For atmosphere, yes; for photos, less so, because the glass reflects the lit dining room at night.
Guests love seeing the monuments lit from their table, but many say night photos through the windows were near impossible. Book a window level if you want the view, and step out on deck for the tower. See the dinner cruise guide for the service levels.
Want dinner with the lights? The 8:30 pm cruise includes a gourmet menu, wine and live music.
Explore the 8:30 pm dinner cruiseHow do you get good photos from the boat at night?
Go to the open upper deck, turn off the flash, and brace your phone against the rail.
- Sit on the side facing the tower when you leave; the boat returns along the other bank, so everyone gets a turn.
- Use your phone's night mode and hold still for the whole exposure.
- Shoot wide at the bridges; zoomed shots blur on a moving boat.
- Put the audio guide on your phone with earphones, so you know what you are looking at.
Is it cold on the river at night?
It can be, even in summer: bring a layer, and in winter a warm coat and gloves if you want to stay on the open deck.
The sightseeing boats have a covered, glass-roofed lower deck if the wind picks up. Guests on evening cruises regularly recommend a light jacket.
Jacket packed? Check your date and board just before sunset.
Check dates for the one-hour sightseeing cruiseHow busy are the evening departures?
Sunset departures are the busiest of the day, and guests report long lines and a crowded top deck in summer.
Arrive 20 to 30 minutes before the departure you want, and head straight for the upper deck if you want a seat outside. If crowds bother you, the first boat after full dark is often calmer and still has the lights. See the ticket guide for how departures work.
Frequently asked questions
How often does the Eiffel Tower sparkle?
For five minutes at the start of every hour after dark. The golden lighting stays on in between.
Do I need a special ticket for a night cruise?
No. The one-hour sightseeing ticket is valid on any departure on your date, including the evening boats.
What time is sunset in Paris?
It changes a lot through the year. Check the sunset time for your date and board 30 to 45 minutes before it.
Is a night cruise better than a day cruise?
For atmosphere, yes. For clear photos and seeing architectural detail, a daytime or sunset cruise is better.
Ready to book
Choose your cruise
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
Bateaux Parisiens Seine Sightseeing Cruise
- One-hour sightseeing cruise from the Eiffel Tower and back
- Audio commentary in 14 languages on board or on your phone
- Covered glass lower deck and an open upper deck
Seine Dinner Cruise with Live Music
- Dinner cruise from the Eiffel Tower, 8:30 pm departure
- Three or four course gourmet menu chosen by option
- Wine, Champagne or kir by option, water and coffee
Early Gourmet Dinner Cruise with Wine
A shorter 6:15 pm dinner cruise, back before 8 pm
