Seine River Tours in paris
The Seine is at the center of Paris’ growth as a city, with many of its pres- tigious monuments overlooking the river. The river’s economic impor- tance is reflected in the city’s seal – created in the 13th century – which features a merchant riverboat. Paris started turning its back on the Seine in the 20th century, with express roads cutting pedestrians off from the river and many quays reduced to parking lots. Aside from the sightseeing cruises, there was little life on the Seine. But things have changed over the past five years. Péniche boats moored along the Seine have been con- verted into trendy restaurants, bars, and clubs, with dancing and picnick- ing Parisians spilling onto the quays during the warmer months. Roads are closed off to traffic for pedestrians and cyclists on Sundays and turned into a beach – Paris Plage – in summer. Parisians have rediscovered the Canal St-Martin and the Bassin de la Villette, and although it’s still not possible to swim in the Seine, there are more opportunities than ever to enjoy the city from the water’s edge.
Paris Canal (www.pariscanal.com) conducts half-day cruises from the Musée d’Orsay to the Parc de la Villette via the Canal St-Martin. Daily 9:30am departure at the Quai Anatole France (outside the Musée d’Orsay, 7th, M° Solferino), arrives at the Parc de la Villette at about 12:15pm. Departs at 2:30pm from the Parc de la Villette (meet at the “Folie des visites du parc” at the intersection of the canals, 20th, M° Porte de la Villette), arrives at the Musée d’Orsay at 5pm. Tickets are i16 (i9 for kids under 12). There are also full-day countryside cruises along the Seine and Marne rivers every Saturday and Sunday. Meet at 9:45am and return at 5pm at the Quai Anatole France. Tickets are i32 per person, lunch not included (pack a picnic or eat at one of the restaurants at the rest point). Reservations are re- quired for all cruises.
Canauxrama (www.canauxrama.com) offers cruises along the Canal St-Martin between the Port de l’Arsenal to the Bassin de la Villette with a musical storyteller recounting the canal’s history in French and English. The 2.5-hour cruises depart daily at 9:45am and 2:30pm from the Port de l’Arsenal (across from 50 Boulevard de la Bas- tille, 11th, M° Bastille) or at 9:45am and 2:45pm at the Bassin de la Villette (13 Quai de la Loire, 19th, M° Jaurès). Tickets cost i13 (i8 for children under 12; no discount weekend afternoons and holidays).
WINE MUSEUM & CRUISE
You can get a combined ticket for the Musée du Vin and a Seine
sightseeing cruise with Vedettes de Paris for i10, including a
complementary glass of wine. Ask about the Croisière de Bac-
chus (Bacchus Cruise) at the Musée du Vin (Rue des Eaux,
www.museeduvinparis.com
open Tuesday through Sunday, 10am to 6pm), or Vedettes de
Paris (Port de Suffren, 7th, % 01 47 05 71 29).
