Aug 13, 20203 min read

My Second Favorite Way to See Paris

Updated: Feb 5, 2022

Paris is a walkable city but I have a second favorite way to see the city and that is the Batobus. The French word for boat is bateau. (Bat-oh) This bateau is a river shuttle on the Seine and thus became the Batobus. I love this mode of transportation for many reasons. It offers a great perspective of Paris, from the Seine, it is a hop-on hop-off experience and stops at all the standard places. Plus, it is a great way to pass the time on your first day in Paris without rushing to a tour or crashing at your hotel room. There are many reasons not to do that but that is another article.

Passes can be purchased at each stop and are valid for 24 hours and up. Cost is $17 euros $19 for 48 hours and 60 for an annual pass. Children under 4 are free. The Batobus opens at 10:00 am and closes from 5:00-9:30 depending on season. The later closing, although in summer, is a great way to see the city at night. Watch the route and closing time or you may have to cab take a back to your hotel. With an open-top in the summer and heat in the winter you will be comfortable year-round. Avoid summer season to avoid crowds and lines.

Here are several tips on the stops.

Louvre: Visit the Louvre, Palais Royal and Jardin des Tuileries. Do not forget Rue de Rivoli and get your fashionista fix.
Place de la Concord: Champs Elysees, it is a bit of a walk but a beautiful one. Arc d’Triomphe is here as well.
Eiffel Tour: The most beautiful view of the Tower. If just for this, take the Batobus.
Les Invalides: Visit Pont Alexandre III, Rodin Museum, National Assembly building.
Musee D’Orsay: Land in the chic 7th arrondissement. Visit Musee D’Orsay, walk the Rive Gauche, or shop the upscale boutiques.
Saint-Germain-des-Pres: See Luxembourg Gardens and soak in the ambiance that artists and intellectuals like Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir loved. And grab a macaroon at Laduree while there.
Notre Dame: Ile de la Cite is in the heart of Paris and a must see. Besides Notre Dame Cathedral, the famous Pont Neuf, and Latin Quarter are here. If you love old books, do not miss Shakespeare and Company.
Jardin des Plantes: will get you to the design center and Pantheon.
Hotel de Ville is where you will find Pompidou center which is said to hold the finest collection of European modern art.

One caveat to my second favorite, if you have somewhere you must be at a certain time, this is not the best way to get there. It runs in one direction and can take a while to get places if your stop is behind you. Try Batobus next time you are in Paris and let me know your thoughts.

Check out my blog and video coming down from the top of the Eiffel Tower. Just click the photo above to get there.

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