London Toolkit 
Rome Toolkit Paris Batobus hop-on, hop-off river bus
River Seine service stops at Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Notre Dame
The Paris Batobus River Bus hop-on hop-off service is aimed at tourists, taking advantage of the fact that many of the biggest visitor attractions of Paris are next to or close to the River Seine.
The Batobus operates a hop-on hop-off shuttle service up and down the River Seine and you use it like a bus service. You purchase a pass for unlimited rides in a time period, (1 or 2 days).
Batobus is not quite the same as a river cruise operator; it is unique in that it is the only company to offer the hop-on-hop-off experience. You can enjoy fantastic views all around the Seine from the open back terrace at the back of the boat in fine weather. The boat is heated in the winter and has an open rooftop in the summer.
Batobus represents great value with unlimited journeys for one or two days. Batobus does not however offer a commentary. If this is something you are interested in there are many Seine river cruise operators including Vedettes de Paris (combined with Tootbus Paris) and Les Bateaux Parisiens (Big Bus Paris).
Batobus route stopping places
There are nine landing stages on either side of the river. Running west to east the stops are:
Eiffel Tower
The most western landing stage where the Batobus hop-on hop-off service turns around. The Eiffel Tower is on the other side of the road from the landing stage.
You can walk up to the Palais du Trocadero on the opposite bank housing museums and gardens for a great view down onto the Eiffel Tower.
Invalides / Pont Alexandre III bridge
The entire Les Invalides complex, including the Hôtel des Invalides residence, soldiers' church and large Dôme des Invalides church, was originally built to accommodate injured and disabled soldiers.
Today, you can visit the Musée de l’Armée, an army museum which retraces the life of the Les Invalides complex under the old regime, and hosts an exhibition.
Champs-Elysees
It's a short walk to the famous Champs-Elysees, one of the most famous streets in the world.
The avenue is lined with cinemas, cafés and restaurants, most notably Fouquets, and luxury speciality shops. The Champs-Elysees ends at the Arc de Triomphe, built by Napoleon Bonaparte to honour his victories.
Musee d'Orsay
The Musee d'Orsay, or Orsay Museum, is a museum housed in a grand railway station built in 1900. Home to many sculptures and impressionist paintings, it has become one of Paris's most popular museums.
The Louvre
About a 300m walk to the famous glass pyramid within the Louvre itself. now one of the largest and most visited museums in the world, is a must-visit for anyone with a slight interest in art.
Some of the museum's most famous works of art are the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.
Saint Germain
Located on the left bank, probably the bank's most colourful neighbourhood. It's also the heart of France's publishing world, a great mix of artist sensibility and upscale living.
Many good shops can be found in the small streets of Saint Germain as well as second-hand book stalls.
Notre Dame
Landing stage is next to the famous Notre Dame Cathedral located on the Ile de la Cite, a small island in the heart of the city. Notre Dame is closed due the fire that nearly destroyed it, so it is covered in scaffolding. It has been confirmed that sadly it will not be rebuilt in time for the Paris Olympics 2024 - the current estimate is a finished Notre Dame by December 2024.
Hotel de Ville
Jumping off point for the Pompidou Centre and atmospheric unspoilt Marais district of Paris.
Jardin des Plantes
The eastern terminus of Batobus. The Jardin des Plantes, a centuries old botanic garden in Paris, is a popular destination not only because of its beautiful gardens but also thanks to the small zoo, the Natural History Museum and the labyrinth of gardens that are located here.
Batobus tickets and timetables 2024
In the summer period, March - July Batobus runs between 10 am and 7 pm, Friday - Sunday, and between 10 am and 5 pm Monday - Thursday - every 25 minutes.
There are various other timetables running through the rest of the year. For more details see the official Batobus website.
With your ticket, you can remain on the boat for an entire loop (roughly 1.5 to 2 hours) or you can hop on and off at any of the nine stops along the Seine River to explore Paris.
There is no commentary on this service and the ticket doesn't include any admissions to attractions.
You can ride the buses as much or as little as you require for the days your ticket is valid. A child ticket is valid for children aged between 3 to 15 years. Children under 3 years may travel free.
On ordering you will be e-mailed a voucher which is exchanged for a ticket on first use in Paris.
BATOBUS RIVER BUS PARIS
Seine River Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Cruise in Paris
• Multiple departure times and locations • Perfect introduction for first-time visitors • Flexibility to customize your itinerary to your own preferences
Bateaux Parisiens 1-hour luxury sightseeing cruise of Paris
The Bateaux Parisiens one hour tour covers the same ground as the Batobus hop on, hop off service but instead of stopping at the landing stages provides a non-stop tour returning back to the departure point half way.
Meet by the Eiffel Tower and hop on board your Bateaux Parisiens sightseeing boat to cruise down the famous River Seine.
Its riverbanks in Paris have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are dotted with iconic Paris attractions like Musee d'Orsay, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre.
Plug in your audio guide and listen to captivating commentary about the sites you're cruising past, including stories of famous lovers who met in riverside town houses, and hear the history of Paris top attractions.
Glide under beautiful bridges like Pont Neuf and see houseboats and even floating restaurants all of which add to the character of the Seine River.
After cruising for half an hour down the river, your boat will turn around, and start meandering its way back to the Eiffel Tower where your tour ends.
BATEAUX PARISIENS 1-HOUR RIVER CRUISE
Batobus 1-hour Seine river cruise tickets
• 1-hour comprehensive tour of the city • Great overview and orientation of the city • Recorded commentary by audio headphones • Starts and finishes by Eiffel Tower
Big Bus Paris hop on hop off bus & Les Bateaux Parisiens combination ticket
Combine the Big Bus Paris hop on/off bus pass with the Les Bateaux Parisiens river boat shuttle service.
Available as a one-day pass, you have access to more than 10 stops and two different routes, with a live guide on one route, plus the addition of a one hour river cruise.
Enjoy the exceptional views of the monuments of Paris and the Seine river from the rear terraces of the boats and the top decks of the buses.
PARIS BIG BUS AND RIVER TOUR
Paris Big Bus and river cruise tickets
• Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Seine River Cruise • Audio commentary • Free Wi-Fi • Free rewards voucher book
Paris night, dinner and combination cruises
Taking advantage of the fact that many of the biggest visitor attractions of Paris are next to or very close to the River Seine, cruising the River Seine through the heart of Paris is a popular activity for visitors by day or night.
There is perhaps a bewildering choice, for all budgets. There are daytime cruises, night time cruises, dinner cruises, hop-on, hop off cruises and combination cruises with some of the iconic sights of Paris or a show.
The link below brings to your attention the most popular river opportunities that operate on a regular basis.
PARIS RIVER CRUISE TOURS AND COMBINATIONS
Paris cruises, sailing and water tours
• River Seine dinner cruises • Paris in one day • Cruise with Louvre, Eiffel Tower and many more
