paris river cruise

any recommended ?

and for a family - is it best to do during the daytime, or on an evening ?

have came across one website - VedettesPontNeuf - has anybody used them ?

thank you !

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Hi

There are three main companies that offer river cruises. They all pretty much take the same route.

They are Bateaux Mouche:

http://www.bateaux-mouches.fr/

Bateaux Parisiens:

http://www.bateauxparisiens.com/

and Vedettes du Pont Neuf:

http://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com/

I%26#39;ve found that the Vedettes du Pont Neuf has smaller more intimate boats with a live commentary, and their dock at the downstream end of the Ile de la Cite is a wonderful place to pick it up.

Also your hotel may have discount coupons that save you a buck or two off each fare. These coupons can also be had in front of the Parvis, the square in front of Notre Dame. There is usually someone passing them out there.

I%26#39;m sure others have thoughts about these cruises and a search here on Trip Advisor will give you lots of comments and feedback.

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The one you have found will be perfect. It is a well established and popular river cruise. We did this cruise in the late afternoon in July last year which we enjoyed. I imagine it would also be very nice after dark with Paris lit up. Dont forget to take advantage of printing out vouchers from the website for a 2 euro discount (print out one for each family member).

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We prefer the larger Bateaux. Plenty of room to walk around and better photo ops. The front of the water level deck is especially nice.

On the smaller vessels, if there%26#39;s a noisy group, you can%26#39;t get away from them. And, when people stand up (to take photos), they block your views.

Anytime is a good time to go, except late afternoon on a sunny day, when the sun will be in your eyes and it will be difficult to take photos.

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Never taken the Vedettes, but i think the longer route is taken by the Bateaux Mouches from pont de l%26#39;Alma, as you get to see the replice of the Statue of Liberty, their cruises last 10 more minutes and are cheaper than the other companies

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Vendettes is great. We%26#39;ve used them 3 times. Once for ourselves, and other times with friends and family when they come visit us. We live in Paris and this is always something we bring people to. Day or night, is good. We%26#39;ve done both. The city looks totally different. City of Lights! They give the tour in English and French so you never miss anything. It%26#39;s a two level boat, so the best views are from the top outside, but if it%26#39;s raining or it%26#39;s too cold, you can go below to be inside.

Walk to the middle of Pont Neuf bridge and at the statue you%26#39;ll see some stairs going down. Follow them and you%26#39;ll run into the boats. Print and pay for your internet ticket before you go to save 4 euro per ticket. It%26#39;s good for a year. Or save 2 euro by printing a form and filling it in and taking it with you if you think your plans might change and don%26#39;t want to loose your 4 euro.

Get there about 20 minutes before departure and you should be able to get seats all together. It%26#39;s a 3 and 3 seating arrangement on top.

http://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com/

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If you take the Vedettes arrive a little early or afterwards walk around the Parc Vert Gallante. Itis the small park at the very tip of the Ile de la Cite where the Vedettes docks.

ICI - …smugmug.com/photos/145518522_X8idt-M-2.jpg

Pjk

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I couldn%26#39;t figure out from Vedettes website if you can board the boat at any of their other stops. We%26#39;ll be staying near the Pont Alma. Anybody know? Thanks in advance!

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There is only one stop for Vedettes, at the Pont Neuf.

If you decide that you are going to take them for sure before going, I suggest pre-ordering your tickets from their website - the price drops to 7 Euro each (versus 11 if you just show up and 9 if you print to coupon). The tickets are good for 12 months, so you can go any time you are in Paris, and it saves you a little more money.

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We just took the ride on the Vedettes at 630 pm tonight. LOVED it, highly recommend. We bought the tix on the internet in advance.

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