There are only few bad times in the year to experience the chic Parisian atmosphere and scenic beauty along the Seine River, cutting through central and northern France. Featuring a delightful mix of the quiet countryside and the vibrant City of Lights, a river Seine cruise captures the authentic French charm that travelers hope for on boat tour of this historic country.
Each season has its own advantages and disadvantages, so consider what you want to experience on your Seine River cruise.
At a Glance
High season: June-August
Shoulder seasons: March-May, September-December
Avoid: January-March
The most popular time to plan a Seine River cruise is during the summer months from June-August. It’s worth noting that temperatures reach their peak in France in August, so many local families are on vacation during this month. Some travelers enjoy the lighter traffic, warmer weather, and more relaxed feeling when many locals are away, while others hope to visit France in the shoulder months when the cities seem more lively.
Cruises during the pre-Christmas weeks in late November and December (while quite chilly and occasionally very cold) offer francophiles a chance to experience the beating heart of the country in its festive celebrations of the season. These holiday Seine cruises are harder to come by since most travelers prefer the warmer summer and autumn months.
Shoulder months are an excellent alternative for Seine River cruises, offering mild temperatures, cultural activities, and fewer tourists. Summer on the Seine is very popular, but pleasant weather in Paris and the rest of France makes the off-peak months of April, May, September, October, and November worth considering for river cruising.
Should I worry about high water in the spring? While there is a moderate risk of high water in early spring, when the melting snow and rains raise the river level, the Seine is actually a pretty safe bet for travelers. Depending on the winter/spring season, certain sections of the river may be too high to clear lower bridges. Still, more often than not, the Seine does offer a good springtime alternative to other beloved central European rivers like the Rhone and Rhine, which can have unpredictable water levels during early spring.
Avoid traveling to France from late December through early March, when temperatures dip below freezing. Cruise operators are generally in their off season from late December through March.
The famous river, which flows from Burgundy to Normandy’s Le Havre, takes travelers to many top attractions in Paris and beyond. Contact our Adventure Life travel experts for more information on the best river cruises in France.
The holiday of a lifetime. The company is Alaksa-owned and thhat makes a big difference to the experineces you get i.e. meet genuine First Nations tribes people. The amount of wildlife was beyond my expectation, and seeing everything on sucha small, intimate boat made it even more spoecial and unique.
Liz O
3 days ago
Adventure Life covered all the details in planning our trip to Ireland. Any questions we had were answered immediately. Any trip glitches, which always happen when traveling, were resolved immediately. There were no worries, just fun!
Kathleen Weller
3 days ago
It was an outstanding, up-close, educational vacation of nature, culture, history, animals and geology! It was everything they promised! Binoculars were plentiful on the boat, but I'm glad I brought my own. Food was excellent. Rooms had black-out shades. Pack/wear multiple layers of clothing (I carried a small backpack when off the ship). Crew were delightful and very accommodating! Remember to jump FEET FIRST first when taking the optional polar plunge! Spend as much time outdoors as you are able and ENJOY!!!
Janet Dutton
1 week ago
Excellent travel advice and service
This is my second experience working with Adventure Life. I’m sold. Jess Heuermann is an experienced traveler and provides a lot of useful information when planning a trip. These are the questions I like to ask at the outset - What’s it like to go here, there, what would you suggest, what do people report, can we add any additional side trips? Jess took the time to answer my questions and seek additional information to share with me. Petchie Colina is outstanding in helping with travel logistics and final preparations. Adventure Life has excellent guides and offers private guides and small group adventures. We enjoyed the opportunity to talk with the guides and drivers to learn more about their countries, cultures and histories. A highlight was having the guides pick local restaurants where we could share meals together. Highly recommend.
Claire Cordon
1 week ago
Our six-day tour in Iceland went smoothly with one exception. We had asked for two rooms each night. Somehow we were booked with one room with three beds. It could not be fixed at the first hotel in Reykjavik because the hotel was fully booked. Once informed of the problem, however, Adventure Life rebooked for two rooms for the remainder of the trip. As an 85-year-old traveler, I appreciated that one could participate at different physical levels at many of the stops. Iceland is a great place to visit but on the expensive side.