P A R I S I E N S*
“
In Paris, you live on the right bank or the left bank. They are two very different worlds,linked by the Seine. This is the true heart of Paris.”
Sabine R.
* PA R I S I A N S ’ PA R I S
A fresh croissant and strong coffee at the bar early in the morning in Paris … A businessman running, tourists strolling, the pavement rumbling as the Metro goes past below … The imperturbable quiet of the islands and the crowds in the classic big stores … And Paris in the evening—images of a drink or a stolen kiss on a legendary café terrace, a flutter of pigeons…
P A R I S I E N S*
* PA R I S I A N M O M E N T S
Among all the companies on the Seine, Bateaux Parisiens has a gift for bringing out the essence of Paris. Its landing stage at Port de la Bourdonnais has a direct view of the Eiffel tower, the monument that makes Paris famous and the pride of Parisians. Bateaux Parisiens’ entirely glassedover boats show the whole splendour of the panorama, coming close to the bridges with the feelingthat you could reach out and touch the arches of Notre-Dame…
PARISIENS
The route includes the most remarkable places in Paris and the commentary tells you their secrets. The very French, very refined cuisine gives a true taste of Parisian chic. And the crews and staff love Paris and are keen to show you its real character. Bateaux Parisiens is not Parisian just in name. Paris is in its soul.
“
I love to stop for a coffee at Port de la Bourdonnais, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, between the Seine and the Paris sky. It’s magical!”
Alain T.
LE PORT DES
* PA R I S I A N S ’ P O R T
Although the banks of the Seine are now a World Heritage site, they have always had their place in the hearts of Parisians. Nobody swims there any more of course but people still fish and everything happens there. A first rendezvous and it’s Paris romance. A picnic with friends and its Paris having a good time. On Sundays it’s Paris on bicycles. In summer it’s Paris at the beach. And tomorrow it’ll be Paris for you.
P A R I S I E N S*
* T H E S E I N E O F T H E PA R I S I A N S
BATEAUX
During her first visit to Paris in 1957, Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by President René Coty, sailed on the ‘Borde Frétigny’ (now called ‘Le Bretagne’).
Bateaux Parisiens started running sightseeing trips in small launches on the Seine in 1956. The company then joined the Sodexo group in 1987 and set its sights on new horizons. The fleet now consists of 12 panoramic boats, seven of which are sightseeing boats named after stars including Brigitte Bardot and Catherine Deneuve, and five restaurant boats with sparkling names such as ‘Le Diamant’ and ‘Le Cristal’.
PARISIENS
The quality of Bateaux Parisiens cruises has won over more than 40% of the market on the Seine. Passengers include tourists (36% of our clients) and also private individuals including Parisians (44%) and businesses (20%). Today, 280 permanent staff and about a hundred seasonal workers in the summer cultivate Bateaux Parisiens’ art of hospitality and show the Paris of Parisians to 3.5 million passengers each year.
“
My favourite monument in Paris is Alexandre III bridge. Since when I was very small, I have always had the feeling that it is mine.”
Amanda H.
P A R I S I E N S*
* PA R I S I A N M O N U M E N T S
25 bridges, 14 monuments, 4 museums, 2 islands, 1 Notre-Dame Cathedral, 1 Eiffel Tower, 1 Statue of Liberty! And 3 ways of discovering the history and the thousand
and one stories of the Paris of Parisians—on a Bateaux Parisiens sightseeing cruise, lunch cruise or dinner cruise.
ITINÉRAIRES
* PA R I S I A N I T I N E R A R I E S
“
We propose only Bateaux Parisiens to our clients from all over the world. For the customised comments by the hostess, the audio-guides in 13 languages and the music chosen to mark the highlights of the outing.”
Isabelle T, Guide
SIGHTSEEING
As a couple or a group, board at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. The welcome is friendly and waiting kept to a minimum. After departure, a festival of prestigious monuments with ‘I love Paris in the summer…’ playing in the background. To hear its history as Paris unfolds in front of you, switch on your audio -guide and select your language (13 are available). And then for interesting titbits, listen to the secrets told by the hostess: famous lovers spent time in such and such a mansion…
CRUISE
Parisians escort you on foot and on bicycles from bridge to bridge and from quay to quay. You are right in the lively heart of Paris and don’t notice how time passes. Prolong the moment for a while, next to the water at Café Seine with the Eiffel Tower just above. And if you come back at night, it’s another Paris but the same magic.
SOUVENIRS
“
For our daughter’s twentieth birthday, we looked for an original venue with something happening. He loved the Bateaux Parisiens Lunch Cruise. We gave her the whole of Paris!” ”
Paula et Vincent M.
“
Cappuccino of green lentils, fillet of hake in light sauce and crêpes Suzette with orange butter: there’s a great chef behind all that!”
Fabrice C.
P A R I S I E N S*
* PA R I S I A N D E L I C AC I E S
A family Sunday. You board an entirely glassed-over restaurant and the maître d’hôtel guides you to your table, carefully laid and with a white tablecloth. You have chosen Service Select in the heart of the boat and you were right to do so. It is 12.45, the moorings are cast off and you have drinks and delicious appetisers in the company of
LUNCH
the Eiffel Tower. It is the moment to choose your Parisian lunch, with each guest selecting what he or she likes best. Music—piano and violin. Suddenly, a voice draws your attention to Notre-Dame… The children are wide-eyed and closely follow the itinerary accompanying the menu. Traditional French cuisine has a taste of Sunday but the children are not bored—two hours of Parisian happiness.
Your personnel will remember the meeting in the form of a cruise.
Welcomed with breakfast on board, they are not the same and ideas fly well beyond the usual framework. At 12.45, the boat sails for a lunch cruise on the Seine. Paris belongs to the participants and gives them fresh energy. The continuation of the meeting confirms the stimulating, federating effect of the experience and you can measure the return on privilege immediately..
CRUISE
“
Our food always surprises our clients, who discover refined dishes from French cuisine, a real Parisian address! This is unusual on a restaurant boat.”
Jacques Iché, Director of Bateaux Parisiens Catering
P A R I S I E N S*
“
Ave Maria performed live while sailing past Notre-Dame gives you a shiver and when the band plays rock and roll you dance on the Seine !”
Émilie B.
* PA R I S I A N S W I N G
P A R I S I E N S*
“
* PA R I S I A N S P L E N D O U R
You slide through the Paris night, the monuments are lit and everything is finer, rarer and more Paris than ever.”
Tom P.
8 p.m. on board ‘Le Diamant’. You looked for the most romantic address in Paris for your evening for two and chose ‘Service Premier’ on Bateaux Parisiens. A red carpet gives you direct, privileged access to the reception desk and to your table in the front of the boat—a must! With a glass of Champagne in your hand and looking into each other’s eyes, you learn the secret of the Paris of lights: the lofty glass roof of the Grand Palais, the banks softly lit by street lamps …
DINNER
Everything is perfect: carefully presented French cuisine, attentive discreet service, soft music. You are delighted. Charmed by Paris. And you tell yourself that you’ll come back with important clients for this cultural, Parisian experience that is unique in the world.
CRUISE
There was to be a lobbying evening with foreign decision makers
and you wanted everything: the right address, a warm welcome, decoration with your marque, contemporary cuisine … Bateaux Parisiens Business Service (Service Affaires) met your expectations perfectly. Personalised welcome in a private room, priority boarding as a small group and excellent placing on the boat enhanced discussions well before your boat sailed at 8.30 p.m. Going from table to table as you sailed past the finest places in Paris you established bonds and exercised both your influence and the art of hospitality. The return to the quay at 11 p.m. with the scintillating illumination of the Eiffel Tower above you was the final touch to a decisive evening.
“
Bateaux Parisiens is the address for Dinner Cruises! Every detail, every gesture is planned and it is an exceptional experience that makes Paris the most beautiful city in the world.”
John W. American businessman»
“
My best memory is the kindness of the hostesses and the waiters and their desire to share the Paris of Parisians with you and to make you love it.”
Suzanna K.
SOURIRES
* PA R I S I A N S M I L E S
The men and women at Bateaux Parisiens are first and foremost professionals, with training and experience. From the captains and crew who ensure the safety of the trips to the multilingual hostesses, to the technicians and the chefs who work below deck. They make you forget that sailing on the Seine to within a millimetre and cooking to the minute on a boat are a prowess.
AMBA S SA DEU R S*
Smiling and discreet, attentive to everybody and available to all, they passionate are about their job and about their wish to give you an unusual Parisian moment. They will all come to say goodbye at the end of your lunch or dinner cruise. As you are now happy Parisians you can applaud them!
*AMBASSADORS
324 smiles for 3.5 million visitors, and you.
Design and creation: Hisbergue Design Graphic et Jean-Marc Piaton - Writing: Michèle Juste
Photos: P.Hamon, Photos du Monde, J.P.Salle, ArtcomArt, D.Jeremijevic, Cercle de Craie, PlumesdePub, D.Milherou, F.Corneux © Société Nouvelle de la Tour Eiffel Lighting engineer Pierre Bideau