Team building on the Seine: turning the setting into a driver of team spirit

A team-building event on the Seine lets you take your teams out of their usual surroundings while keeping things professional. The boat can host a short meeting, a lunch, a collaborative workshop or a more relaxed evening, depending on what you're aiming for.

The choice of format depends less on capacity alone than on the level of interaction you're after. To encourage people to talk to one another, look for a space that makes conversation, movement and group moments easy.

Start with the event's objective

An internal team-building exercise isn't put together in the same way as a client reception. For a team, you can focus on sociability, workshops and time to talk. For clients or partners, the priority might be the welcome, the quality of service, the view, and the ability to keep some conversations more private.

Choosing a format suited to your team

A small group may do best with a yacht and a sociable layout. A larger team will generally be more comfortable on a barge with several distinct zones. The programme can alternate between a meeting, a workshop, a cocktail reception and dinner, as long as each stage has a clearly defined space.

Building engagement on board

The boat can host a workshop, a team quiz, a speech, a collaborative activity or a networking session. Activities work best when they serve a clear purpose: bringing teams together, marking a milestone, welcoming new colleagues or thanking clients.

Getting the corporate logistics right

Prepare the guest list, timings, mooring point, dietary requirements and technical needs. For an event with a presentation or shared content, check the sound and display arrangements early enough. The person managing the event should have a simple running order, with a named contact for each supplier.