An upstream Seine cruise from Bercy to Charenton, as far as the Marne confluence

When people think of a private cruise in Paris, they almost always picture the same setting: the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, the Louvre and Pont Alexandre III. That route is magnificent, but it is also the busiest, with boats passing one another and the quays at their liveliest. There is, however, another way to enjoy the Seine: turn your back on the centre and head upstream to the east.

This article takes a different angle from our usual guides to routes and landmarks: that of the upstream Seine, from Bercy to Charenton-le-Pont, as far as the approach to the confluence with the Marne. It is an itinerary for groups who want to keep a riverside setting and a genuine sense of sailing, while escaping the bustle of tourist Paris.

Why head upstream along the Seine to the east?

The upstream Seine has a very different character from the Seine in the centre. The banks are wider, the views more open and the sky more present. Haussmann-style buildings give way to a more recent city: large libraries, regenerated neighbourhoods, former warehouses turned into cultural venues, and then the first towns of the inner suburbs.

For a group, the benefits are practical:

• calmer sailing, with less boat traffic nearby;
• boarding quays that are easier to reach for guests coming from east Paris, the suburbs or Gare de Lyon;
• a more intimate atmosphere, well suited to meetings, dinners and parties where you want to be able to talk;
• a less "postcard" backdrop, and therefore more of a surprise for guests who already know Paris.

Setting off from Bercy: a convenient boarding point

The Bercy and Quai de la Rapée area has several boarding points. It is well served by public transport, with Gare de Lyon and several metro lines nearby, which makes it easier for guests to arrive from different parts of the city. If you are unsure about the departure address, our article on the Quai de la Rapée explains what this area offers for a private hire.

As soon as you cast off, the landscape changes quickly. You pass under the Bercy bridges and see Bercy Park and the tall façades of the right bank, then the left bank opens onto the Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand district and the Simone-de-Beauvoir footbridge. If your event is taking place in this district, you can also read our article on the Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand.

What you will discover between Bercy and Charenton

As you sail upstream, you pass beneath bridges of very different kinds: historic structures, contemporary footbridges, and road and rail viaducts. This highly graphic setting of bridges is one of the highlights of the route: it lends itself well to group photographs, especially at the end of the day.

Further east, the city loosens up. You run alongside port quays, river activity zones and former industrial sites that have been transformed, then the banks of Ivry-sur-Seine, Charenton-le-Pont and Alfortville. This is a hard-working, more authentic Seine, a reminder that the river is still a working waterway and a transport route. Some guests will see it as a discovery, others as a way of rediscovering a side of Paris they rarely visit.

The bridges you pass beneath and the banks you see may vary depending on the boat, the time of day and navigation constraints. We recommend confirming the exact route with us during the planning stage.

Approaching the Marne confluence

The high point of the route is the approach to the confluence: the spot where the Marne joins the Seine, between Charenton-le-Pont and Alfortville. You grasp the geography of the Paris basin at a glance: two rivers meeting, a wide expanse of sky and a horizon that is no longer urban in the traditional sense.

It is a very popular moment for a speech, a toast or an announcement: the boat slows down, the group gathers on deck and the scenery offers a different backdrop from that of the usual cruises. Depending on the boat chosen and navigation regulations, the turn-around takes place before or close to this area. The exact turning point is agreed with the boat owner, depending on the vessel's size and the conditions on the day.

Which boat and which format for this route?

This route can be adapted to several formats, from a small yacht to a barge, depending on the size of your group and the atmosphere you are after.

• A yacht or motor launch for a small group, an intimate birthday or a business lunch: the boat is manoeuvrable and the sailing smooth.
• A cruising barge for a larger group, with a reception area, dance floor or tables: the journey upstream to the east then becomes an experience in its own right, rather than simply a backdrop.
• A moored boat at Bercy if you would rather not sail: you keep the riverside setting and the easy access of the district. Our article on the barge at Bercy explains how it can be used.

If you are unsure about the duration or the distance to cover, our guide to choosing your route on the Seine will help you decide between a return trip to the east, a loop through the centre or a combined route.

When this route makes sense

The upstream Seine is particularly suited to groups looking to stand out:

• a seminar or team meeting where you want a calm setting with little passing traffic;
• a company party whose guests mostly come from east Paris or the suburbs;
• a birthday or family gathering with guests who already know the classic cruises;
• a photo shoot or filming session, to take advantage of lighting and settings that are seen less often.

To keep the route comfortable, allow enough time: sailing upstream to Charenton and back takes longer than a loop through the centre. When you send your request, please state your preferred time, the number of guests and the type of occasion (cocktail party, dinner, meeting) so that we can suggest the most suitable boat and route.