Back-to-work company party on the Seine in Paris

After the summer, teams come back scattered: staggered holidays, new starters, projects picking back up. A back-to-work party brings everyone together before the pace of autumn sets in.

On a privately hired boat, this moment plays out far from the office, with Paris as the backdrop and the last of September's fine evenings thrown in.

Why September is the right time

Days are still long and the late-afternoon light over the Seine is particularly beautiful. Diaries aren't yet packed with end-of-year events, and boats are easier to book than in December. It's also the moment when the season's goals are set: a chance to share them in a setting that leaves a lasting impression.

Which format to choose

• An after-work cruise: departure at the end of the day, a walking dinner and cruising at sunset.
• An evening at the quayside: ideal if some guests will arrive over the course of the evening, with no fixed boarding time.
• A mixed format: a short speech from leadership while moored, followed by a festive cruise.

For a small team, a yacht offers an intimate atmosphere; for several departments brought together, a barge can welcome up to 250 people.

Giving the evening real purpose

A successful back-to-work party is both festive and useful. A few ideas to achieve that:

• introduce new colleagues who joined over the summer;
• share the year's major projects in just a few minutes;
• plan some light entertainment, a blind test or a photo booth, to mix the teams together.

Practical points to plan ahead for

Choose a boarding point easily reached by public transport from your offices, and set a time that fits with the end of the working day. Think about catering, vegetarian and alcohol-free options, and a sound system if speeches are planned. In September, evenings can turn cool: a boat with an enclosed lounge or a covered deck remains the safest option.