Organising a private event on a boat in Paris

A milestone birthday, an engagement, a family dinner, a reunion with old friends: some moments deserve better than a hired hall or a restaurant table. A private boat on the Seine brings your guests together in an enclosed space that is yours alone, with Paris gliding past all around.

The key is to prepare it well. The choice of boat, the format of the evening and the timing matter just as much as the decoration or the menu. Here is how to put together a private event on board, from your first enquiry to the return to the quay.

Start from your guest numbers to choose the boat

Capacity is the first criterion: a boat that is too big feels empty, and one that is too small quickly becomes uncomfortable. The main types of boat suit different formats:

• The yacht (2 to 30 people): ideal for an intimate dinner, a marriage proposal, a small birthday gathering or a family outing. The atmosphere is cosy and everyone shares the same space.
• The barge (40 to 250 people): suited to big parties, birthdays with lots of guests, weddings or extended family reunions. It often offers several spaces: a lounge, a deck, an area for dancing.
• The moored boat: it doesn't cruise, but it keeps the riverside setting. A good option for a long evening, an event with lots of comings and goings, or guests who would rather stay dry if the weather is uncertain.

Allow some margin: remember children, any suppliers (photographer, DJ, musicians) and last-minute guests.

Defining the format of the evening

A private event on board can take several forms, and each calls for a different kind of organisation:

• Drinks or a standing buffet: guests mingle, chat and enjoy the deck. This is the most flexible format, suited to large groups.
• Seated dinner: a seating plan, a served menu, a more relaxed pace. It suits engagements, family birthdays and intimate dinners.
• Dancing: a clear space, a sound system, often a DJ. Check that the boat allows it and for how long.
• A short outing: a one- or two-hour sunset cruise with champagne and a few canapés is sometimes all it takes to create a lasting memory.

The format also determines the catering: caterer, chef on board, sharing platters, drinks. Mention it in your first enquiry to receive a proposal that fits.

Choosing the time and the route

In Paris, the light transforms the experience. At the end of the day, the façades take on a golden hue. After dark, the monuments light up and the Eiffel Tower sparkles for a few minutes at the start of every hour. Boarding around an hour before sunset lets you enjoy both atmospheres.

The route is planned around the length of the cruise and your wishes: passing the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the islands. The boarding point matters too: choose one that is easy for your guests to reach, especially older guests or families with pushchairs.

Planning the details that make the difference

The best private events on board are those where nothing is left to chance:

• Book early, especially for a Saturday evening between May and September or during the festive season, when slots go quickly.
• Think about the highlight: the cake, a speech, a surprise arrival, a toast as you pass a monument. Let the crew know so they can time it with the route.
• Personalise the space: decoration, flowers, playlist, photographer. Check in advance what is allowed on board.
• Plan for the weather: a boat with an indoor lounge or covered deck protects you from a shower, and a blanket or jacket is still useful in the evening, even in summer.
• Give guests the exact boarding time: a boat leaves on time, and latecomers stay on the quay.

Once you describe your plans (the occasion, number of guests, date, desired atmosphere), we select suitable boats and support you with the catering, entertainment and running order of the evening.