Which boat should you choose for a private evening in Paris? The right criteria

At 7pm, guests arrive in small groups. Some head straight for the deck, others settle in with a drink. For a private evening on the Seine, the boat mainly needs to follow this same rhythm: welcoming guests, letting them move around, conversation and, sometimes, a meal or music.

Before looking at the style of the boat, start with a very simple figure: how many of you will there actually be?

For a small group, prioritise closeness

Between 2 and 30 people, a yacht can suit an evening where you're after a more intimate format. The group stays a manageable size, and the layout works well for a moment where guests already know each other.

For a larger group, look at the usable capacity

From 40 people upwards, barges become another category worth considering. At Sein'ario, they welcome 40 to 250 people depending on the boat. For an evening event, you mainly need to look at the space genuinely available for moving around, chatting and setting up whatever you've planned.

Cruising or a moored boat: two ways to experience the evening

Cruising brings a change of scenery as the event unfolds. Moored, the atmosphere can feel more stable, which can suit a programme built around the venue itself. It mainly depends on what you want to do with the evening, and on the boat you choose.

The detail not to overlook: the running order

State from the outset whether there will be a meal, a cocktail reception, music, speeches or simply a relaxed get-together. What you need to check is that the space matches this use, not just the advertised number of guests. A well-chosen boat should still feel comfortable once the tables, the guests and any activities are all in place.