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Cruise port Paris

Port information & tips for Paris

Paris, the glamorous City of Love and Lights, is the vibrant heart of France and an incomparable highlight of any journey along the Seine. The atmosphere on the riverbank captivates with timeless elegance and romantic flair, characterized by magnificent architecture and historic boulevards. In close proximity to the pier, world-famous highlights such as the majestic Eiffel Tower, the Musée d’Orsay, and the expansive Champ de Mars beckon for unforgettable discoveries. Cruise ships typically dock at the centrally located Port de la Bourdonnais, which is situated directly at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and, thanks to this first-class location, provides convenient, direct access to the historic center as well as all the major sights of the French metropolis.

Arrival & Departure
Getting around
Highlights & Districts
Useful tips
Returning to the ship

Paris is the heart of French river cruising and offers direct access right by the Eiffel Tower with central moorings such as the Port de la Bourdonnais or the Port de Grenelle. Thanks to its role as a European transport hub, the city is excellently connected and easily accessible for travelers from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Train

The journey by train is particularly relaxed, as high-speed trains such as the ICE or TGV from Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and Munich arrive directly at the Gare de l’Est station. Travelers from North Rhine-Westphalia also use the Eurostar to Gare du Nord, from where the moorings on the Seine are directly accessible in about 20 to 30 minutes by taxi or the Metro and RER lines.

Airplane

Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport is served directly several times a day from almost all major cities in the DACH region and is located around 30 kilometers from the center. From there, you can easily reach the terminals in about 60 minutes using the RER B suburban train line or an organized shuttle service, while Orly (ORY) Airport also allows for short transfer times to the ships thanks to its location in the south.

Car & Parking

Paris is well connected to the European long-distance road network via the A1, A4, and A13 motorways, although the Crit’Air environmental badge is mandatory for the city area. As parking options in the city center are limited, secure parking garages such as Parking Quai Branly or special Park & Cruise arrangements at the airports offer safe parking spaces and an uncomplicated onward journey to the port.

Check-in & Embarkation

Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and keep in mind that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination area - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.

The same applies during the trip: for shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements as well as the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.

Arrival & Departure

Paris is the heart of French river cruising and offers direct access right by the Eiffel Tower with central moorings such as the Port de la Bourdonnais or the Port de Grenelle. Thanks to its role as a European transport hub, the city is excellently connected and easily accessible for travelers from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Train

The journey by train is particularly relaxed, as high-speed trains such as the ICE or TGV from Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and Munich arrive directly at the Gare de l’Est station. Travelers from North Rhine-Westphalia also use the Eurostar to Gare du Nord, from where the moorings on the Seine are directly accessible in about 20 to 30 minutes by taxi or the Metro and RER lines.

Airplane

Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport is served directly several times a day from almost all major cities in the DACH region and is located around 30 kilometers from the center. From there, you can easily reach the terminals in about 60 minutes using the RER B suburban train line or an organized shuttle service, while Orly (ORY) Airport also allows for short transfer times to the ships thanks to its location in the south.

Car & Parking

Paris is well connected to the European long-distance road network via the A1, A4, and A13 motorways, although the Crit’Air environmental badge is mandatory for the city area. As parking options in the city center are limited, secure parking garages such as Parking Quai Branly or special Park & Cruise arrangements at the airports offer safe parking spaces and an uncomplicated onward journey to the port.

Check-in & Embarkation

Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and keep in mind that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination area - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.

The same applies during the trip: for shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements as well as the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.

Getting around

Die zentralen Anlegestellen direkt an der Seine ermöglichen einen komfortablen Start und Sie befinden sich dank der exzellenten Lage sofort mitten im Geschehen der Weltmetropole.

On Foot

From Port de la Bourdonnais or Port de Grenelle, you can walk directly to the Eiffel Tower and the surrounding parks in about 5 to 10 minutes. The banks of the Seine are also ideal for a relaxed tour of the historic bridges and monuments.

Batobus Water Taxis

The hop-on-hop-off boats of the Batobus fleet serve nine central stations along the river and offer a picturesque connection to sights such as the Louvre or the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Thanks to the regular frequency, you can use this means of transport conveniently and directly for your individual city sightseeing from the water.

Taxi and G7

Official taxi stands can be found on the main streets directly above the harbor quays as well as at the nearby bridges. In addition, thanks to the G7 app and local ride services, numerous vehicles are available to you at any time to take you quickly and easily to more distant neighborhoods such as the artists' quarter of Montmartre.

Highlights & Districts

To make the most of your limited time on a shore excursion, it is recommended to focus on the iconic landmarks along the central Seine axis and the charming artists' quarter on the hill.

Eiffel Tower & Champ de Mars

As the city's unmistakable landmark, the Eiffel Tower offers spectacular views, and the expansive green spaces of the Champ de Mars are also perfect for unforgettable photo moments.

Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur

The picturesque district at the city's highest point enchants guests with its winding alleys and the gleaming white basilica, making it an ideal destination for explorers thanks to its lively flair.

Banks of the Seine & Louvre

The UNESCO World Heritage-listed riverbanks lead directly to the architectural treasures of the Louvre, while also allowing for a relaxed stroll through the historic heart of the French metropolis.

Useful tips

The Historic Le Marais District

The charming Le Marais district in the heart of the city is ideally accessible from the central drop-off points and offers cruise guests a perfect blend of magnificent architecture and a modern lifestyle. Thanks to the picturesque alleys around the famous Place des Vosges, you can enjoy an authentic experience here with first-class galleries, exclusive boutiques, and inviting pavement cafés. The excellent infrastructure also allows for a relaxed break in one of the traditional bistros while you soak up the historic atmosphere of this quarter to the fullest. Ideally, start your tour directly after arriving in the city to explore the charming courtyards in peace, and plan your way back to the transfer bus or ship with a relaxed buffer of about sixty minutes.

Returning to the ship

The return journey to your berth on the Seine is very relaxed thanks to the central location of the moorings and the excellent connections to the Parisian transport network.

Taxi and Ride Services

You will find official taxi ranks at prominent locations such as Quai Branly directly at the Eiffel Tower, as well as in front of major hotels like the Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel. Additionally, you can conveniently use the G7 app or Uber to return directly and reliably to your ship at Port de Grenelle or Port de Suffren.

Metro and RER

The yellow RER C suburban train takes you from stations such as Musée d'Orsay directly to the Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel stop in the immediate vicinity of the moorings. You can also easily reach the terminals with Metro line 6 via Bir-Hakeim station and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of the city on the short remaining walk along the water.

On Foot

From the Eiffel Tower or the Jardins du Trocadéro, a short and level path leads along the riverside promenades back to the moorings. Thanks to the clearly visible silhouette of the Eiffel Tower and the clear signage along the Seine, you will find your berth without any detours and reach your ship punctually and safely before departure.

Next cruises stopping in Paris

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