The Waterborne Hop-On Hop-Off
The hop-on hop-off Seine boat (Batobus) operates a continuous loop along the Seine with 9 stops near the major landmarks — the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d’Orsay, the Louvre, Notre-Dame, the Jardin des Plantes, Hôtel de Ville, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the Champs-Élysées, and the Beaugrenelle shopping centre. A 1-day or 2-day pass allows unlimited boarding and disembarking at any stop — the boat-bus format that replaces walking or the Métro with the river as the transport corridor.
The Batobus is not a sightseeing cruise (there is no narration, no glass of champagne, and the boats are functional rather than luxurious) — it is a transport service that happens to be on the Seine. The practical advantage is the scenic commute: you ride from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre on the water, disembark at the museum, visit, and reboard the boat to continue to Notre-Dame. The views from the boat are the same as the sightseeing cruise — the experience is the transport, not the tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Batobus cost?
A 1-day pass: approximately €19 per adult. A 2-day pass: approximately €21. The pass provides unlimited rides on the loop. For a single journey, the standard sightseeing cruise (€15–18) provides the narrated tour experience at a comparable price.
Is the Batobus better than the Métro?
Slower (the boat loop takes approximately 35 minutes end to end) but infinitely more scenic. The Métro is faster for point-to-point travel. The Batobus is the leisurely, scenic alternative that covers the tourist corridor along the river.