A Parisian Delight

A cruise on the River Siene gives a whole new meaning to love and romance. fe Business Traveller sets sail on the Parisian Bateaux Mouches to capture the quintessential French experience

Paris conjures memories of an evocative past, reminiscent of romanticism and royalty of France. And there is no better way to experience it than a journey down the river Seine. Capturing the quaintness of this city, a cruise on Bateaux Mouches or flying boats gives a completely new insight on the splendours of the Parisian riverside along with a sampling of delectable French cuisine.

La Compagnie des Bateaux Mouches was conceived by avant-garde pioneer Jean Bruel in 1949. They have carried over 100 million passengers into a journey of discovery in to Paris' glorious past.

The daily excursion down the Seine takes place on one of the nine cruise boats. Each boat has a covered lower deck, which is heated during the winter months and an open upper deck. The journey begins at the Pont de l'Alma. The first monument en route is the Musee d'Orsay, the 19th century French Art museum that is home to the greatest collection of impressionist paintings. Originally a train station, the museum has been extensively renovated and the architecture has been hailed a success in industrial building renovation.

From there, the cruise moves towards the Notre Dame Cathedral, built in early Gothic style. The impressive façade of the towers and the cathedral are clearly visible from the deck. The Bateaux Mouches moves onto the Musee du Louvre, which was the backdrop of the famed Dan Brown bestseller - The Da Vinci Code. The Louvre contains over 35,000 pieces of art including the enigmatic Mona Lisa, and is home to collections of the oldest civilisations of the world. The last attraction on this route is the most famous sight of Paris - the Eiffel Tower. Dominating the skyline of this city, it is perhaps the best-recognised sight in the French capital.

A tour guide is translated into 17 languages and is handed to the passengers. Onboard, explanations are given in the passengers' languages, giving them vignettes about historical and contemporary Paris. The luncheon cruise takes place on the weekends and on bank holidays where guests can enjoy the sound of the accordion and French songs.

Exceptional glass and luminous boats are available for night cruises. The lights of this twinkling city and powerful spotlights reveal the river bank and the monuments. The visually stunning backdrop is indeed a feast for the eyes. Combined with this is the traditional French cuisine prepared using the finest ingredients, which linger in memory long after the meal is over.

The city of love also offers a getaway for couples aboard the Bateaux Mouches. A chauffeur driven limousine picks up the guests from their Paris residence to the Jean-Sebastien Mouche, where they are welcomed with champagne and roses. Serenaded by a violinist accompanied by the soothing notes of a piano, guests are treated to an exquisite cuisine prepared by the master chefs. All this for Euro 500 without taxes. For business travellers, a boat docked at the wharf is equipped and personalised for business meetings and seminars. A cruise down the romantic Seine on the bateaux mouches is indeed a memorable way to spend an evening in sheer Parisian style. It's the closest to reliving the past of an ancient yet contemporary city on a journey down its most beautiful avenue: the River Seine.