Getting around Paris by Boat

Getting around Paris by boat really means travelling on the Seine and its subsidiary waterways like the St-Martin and Ourcq Canals. Although few Parisians use the Seine for anything other than a day-out, the advent of the Batobus shuttle service (see below) has tempted some of them to take to the water instead of the Métro when they've a bit of time.

Sightseeing Boats

Tourist sightseeing boats will take you right through the centre of Paris and along the canals, even the river Marne, but you cannot generally stop off along their route. Most travel a circular path taking in the major sights, but there are some which give you the option of one way travel betweeen two termini.

See our pages on Paris Tourist Sightseeing Boats

Batobus Water Bus

As a means of getting around by boat, this is the only real option. Batobuses are stubby, glass-enclosed trimarans that operate a river boat shuttle service on a circular route along the Seine, stopping at eight points along the way, five on the Left bank and three on the Right. There's no zig-zagging across the river, and the boats travel in an anti-clockwise direction.

For full details on route and fares, see our Batobus water bus page

Next page: Getting around Paris by Batobus