Paris: Seine Cruise and Macaron Tasting by the Eiffel Tower

Paris gives you two classic pleasures in one tidy outing: a Seine cruise with views of the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and the Louvre, plus two French macarons from a nearby shop. At $21 per person, it is an easy way to get your bearings without committing half a day or paying for a formal guided tour.

I especially like the one-hour length and the easy pairing of sightseeing with a small local treat. The macarons are collected at MAKDAMIA on Rue de Monttessuy, close to the Eiffel Tower, and the cruise leaves from Bateaux Parisiens at Port de la Bourdonnais, Pier 3. The main drawback is the queue: at busy times, you may wait 30 minutes or even more than an hour for the boat.

Key points before you book

• Two separate stops near the Eiffel Tower: You visit MAKDAMIA at 13 Rue de Monttessuy and Bateaux Parisiens at Port de la Bourdonnais, Pier 3, on your own.
• A one-hour introduction to Paris: The boat passes the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, and other riverside sights.
• Two macarons are included: You receive two assorted macarons, but any extra food or drinks cost more.
• The best boat seat depends on the weather: The upper deck offers open-air views in good weather, while an indoor seat on the far side can work better when you board.
• Timing matters: Macaron vouchers are valid only on the booked date and can be used from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Queues can shape the experience: Boats leave every 30 minutes to one hour, but peak-season waits may be long.

What this Paris combo actually includes

This is not a guided walking tour with a host leading you from one stop to the next. You receive access to two separate activities and make your own way to each address.

The cruise is operated by Bateaux Parisiens from Port de la Bourdonnais, 75507, Pier 3. The macaron tasting is at MAKDAMIA, 13 Rue de Monttessuy, 75007. Both locations are within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower, which makes it simple to combine this outing with time around the Champ de Mars and Trocadéro area.

The package includes a one-hour Seine cruise and two assorted French macarons. It does not include hotel transfers, extra snacks, or drinks. Bring your charged smartphone and headphones, especially if you plan to use the cruise commentary or audio material.

The activity is valid for one day, but you are not locked into a single tight schedule. The macaron voucher can be used at any point during the shop’s opening hours on your chosen date. That flexibility is useful, though you still need to protect enough time for the boat queue.

Start with the Seine, or collect the macarons first?

You can arrange the order around your day. The most important limit is the macaron shop’s opening window, from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. If you want an evening cruise, collect the macarons earlier. One visitor missed the tasting after planning a nighttime boat ride, so this is not a detail to brush aside.

Starting at MAKDAMIA can be smart. You collect the two macarons while the shop is open, then walk toward the river and wait for a boat at Pier 3. This removes the risk of leaving the sweet stop until the end of the day.

Starting with the cruise works well if you are already at Port de la Bourdonnais in the morning. Just keep the 6:30 p.m. macaron closing time in mind. Boat departures change during the day, generally running every 30 minutes to one hour, and the departure time is written on your cruise ticket.

The activity description gives daily availability, with the cruise generally offered between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. The shop’s stated hours are slightly narrower, so use the shop hours as your firm cutoff.

A one-hour ride through Paris

The Seine is one of the best places to see Paris without spending the day walking. From the boat, the city’s major sights line up in a useful sequence, and the river gives you a different angle than the usual street-level view.

The Eiffel Tower is the obvious visual anchor near the departure point. It is especially useful to see the tower from the river, where you can take in its full height without standing directly beneath it. Have your phone ready as the boat leaves, since the first views are among the most recognizable on the route.

As the boat continues, you pass historic riverfront buildings and bridges before reaching sights such as Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Louvre. The ride will not replace a visit inside either site, but it helps you understand how central the Seine is to the shape of Paris.

The cruise is described as informative, but the audio website may not always track the boat’s position well. Bring headphones if you want to follow the commentary, but treat the ride first as a scenic orientation. You can still enjoy the views if the audio timing is imperfect.

At one hour, the cruise is long enough to feel worthwhile and short enough to fit between other plans. It also gives your feet a rest, which matters during a packed Paris day. The tradeoff is that this is a basic sightseeing boat rather than a small, personal tour with a guide giving live commentary.

Finding the right place on the boat

Seating can affect how much you see. In good weather, the roof or upper outdoor terrace is the natural choice for open views and better photographs. You may want a jacket even on a mild day, since the boat is exposed to wind along the river.

If the weather is poor, or if the outdoor deck is full, an indoor seat still works. One useful tip is to sit on the far side when you enter the boat, since that can provide better views during the ride. The exact advantage depends on the boat and the direction of travel, so do not treat this as a guarantee, but it is a sensible first move.

The boats hold up to 300 people in good weather and 120 in rainy weather, when capacity is reduced to meet operating rules. That tells you what kind of experience to expect: this is a sizeable sightseeing boat, not a quiet private cruise.

All boats are non-smoking. Outside food and drinks are not allowed onboard, so enjoy the included macarons before or after the ride rather than planning to eat them on deck. Animals are not permitted, except for animals accompanying visitors with disabilities.

The macaron stop at MAKDAMIA

The tasting portion is deliberately small. You receive two assorted macarons, not a full pastry workshop or dessert meal. That makes it a pleasant add-on, but you should not book this package if you want an extended food tour.

The shop is on Rue de Monttessuy, close to the Eiffel Tower. Its location makes the tasting easy to pair with the cruise and the nearby sights. The macarons have been praised for their quality, and one practical advantage is that you can choose when to collect them during the shop’s opening hours rather than having to arrive at one exact appointment time.

The shop can get crowded. At busy moments, the tasting process may feel a little disorganized, even though the staff are friendly. Have your voucher ready on your phone and expect this to be a quick retail stop rather than a seated tasting with a host explaining each flavor.

The two assorted pieces are enough for a pleasant sample. If you have a serious sweet tooth, budget separately for extra macarons or other food. Additional food and beverages are not part of the package.

Queues are the real variable

The cruise itself lasts one hour, but your total time can be much longer. In peak periods, the line may take 30 minutes or more than an hour before you board. That makes the cruise less predictable than the macaron stop.

If you have timed tickets for the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, or another attraction, leave a generous buffer. Do not assume that a boat scheduled for a certain part of the day will carry you immediately. Departures vary from every 30 minutes to every hour, and a full boat can push your plans back.

The most relaxed approach is to place the cruise in an open block of your day. You can use the waiting time to take photographs, enjoy the riverfront, or simply accept that Paris sightseeing sometimes moves at river speed.

The queue is also less pleasant in bad weather. Boats reduce capacity when it rains, and that can affect boarding time. The ride remains available daily, but weather and demand can change the rhythm of the outing.

Is $21 a fair price?

At $21 per person, the package offers solid value if you already want a Seine cruise. A one-hour river ride near the Eiffel Tower can easily serve as your main sightseeing activity for that part of the day, and the two macarons add a small but enjoyable French food experience.

The value is strongest for first-time visitors, families, and people making a short visit. You see several major sights from the river, rest your feet, and receive a simple treat without arranging two separate bookings.

The value is weaker if you are mainly seeking a food experience. Two macarons are a sample, not a meal, and the stop may be busy. It is also less compelling if you strongly dislike queues or want a quiet boat with personal attention.

This is a no-frills sightseeing package, and that is not a criticism by itself. You are paying for access, views, and convenience, not for a private guide, hotel transport, or a long tasting menu.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this outing to anyone visiting Paris for a day or two and wanting an efficient first look at the city. The cruise gives you a clear sense of where the major monuments sit, while the macarons add a distinctly French pause near the Eiffel Tower.

Families may appreciate the short cruise length and the chance to rest between walks. It also works well for a mixed group, since the boat is easy sightseeing and the macarons require little time.

It suits independent visitors who are comfortable finding two addresses on their own. There is no central meeting point or guide escort. Your confirmation provides the locations, and you visit each attraction separately.

You may want to skip it if you need a tightly timed itinerary, dislike large boats, or expect a detailed live tour. The audio commentary can be unreliable in following the boat’s location, and the boarding line is the biggest source of uncertainty.

Simple planning advice for a smoother day

• Collect your macarons before 6:30 p.m., even if you plan to cruise later.
• Keep your phone charged and bring headphones for the audio material.
• Allow at least some extra time for the boat queue, especially in peak season.
• In clear weather, aim for the roof or outdoor terrace.
• If you sit indoors, consider the far side when boarding for a better chance at broad views.
• Do not bring outside food or drinks onto the boat.
• Keep the cruise ticket and macaron voucher accessible on your phone.
• Use the activity as a flexible sightseeing block, not as a connection between two tightly timed attractions.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Paris schedule is still shifting, but they do not remove the need to check the exact date and departure information before you go.

Should you book this Seine cruise and macaron tasting?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced, easy introduction to Paris with two small extras: river views and macarons. The one-hour cruise is the strongest part, especially if you have limited time or want to rest your feet while seeing the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and the Louvre from the water.

Go in with realistic expectations. This is a large sightseeing boat, queues can be long, the commentary may not always match the boat’s position, and the macaron tasting is only two pieces at a busy shop. If you plan around those limits, the package gives you a pleasant slice of Paris for $21 and leaves plenty of the day for your own exploring.

FAQ

How long is the Seine cruise?

The cruise lasts one hour.

How many macarons are included?

Each visitor receives two assorted French macarons.

Where does the cruise leave from?

The cruise departs from Port de la Bourdonnais, 75507, at Pier 3. The operator is Bateaux Parisiens.

Where is the macaron tasting?

The macaron tasting takes place at MAKDAMIA, 13 Rue de Monttessuy, 75007.

What are the macaron tasting hours?

The tasting is available daily from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Can I use the macaron voucher at any time?

Yes. The voucher is valid only on the tour date, but you can use it at any time during the shop’s opening hours.

Are the cruise and macaron shop visited together with a guide?

No. There is no central meeting point. You visit the cruise and the shop independently at their stated addresses.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.