Port guide: Paris, France

If you’re looking to spoil yourself, look no further than this city of love, fashion and all the fine things in life.

Who goes there

The Seine River is a cruise staple, with AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, CroisiEurope, Riviera Travel, Scenic, Uniworld and Viking among companies operating there. Adventures by Disney, A-Rosa and Tauck are the best options for families. Ships sail downstream as far as Rouen, Caudebec or Le Havre, usually return to Paris, although some operate one-way itineraries. Cruises might be themed on World War II history, Impressionist art or culinary experiences. Some ships now operate in winter too.

The city’s exclamation mark… the Eiffel Tower.

Sail on in

The Seine River wiggles in tight bends through metropolitan Paris and past the greenery of Bois be Boulogne. The urban riverbanks aren’t that exciting until you round another big bend. If you’re at one of the two main docking locations, you’ll get terrific views of the Eiffel Tower rising like a giant exclamation mark, so have your camera at the ready.

Berth rites

Prepare for confusion, as there are several mooring sites, cruise companies may use more than one, and some are located well out of the city centre. Check your official cruise documents for the correct address. That said, most ships tie up either at Quai Andre Citroen (also called Port de Javel Bas) or Quai de Grenelle in the 15th Arrondissement on the Seine’s left bank, both in the centre of Paris.

Going ashore

You’ll certainly want to check out the Eiffel Tower, newly renovated Notre Dame cathedral and one of three key museums: the Louvre, Musee d’Orsay for Impressionists, or Centre Pompidou for modern art (although the latter is about to undergo transformations). Budget downtime on a cafe terrace or in the statue-studded gardens of the Tuileries or Luxembourg. You’ll have to pick a neighbourhood to wander as well: either historical Le Marais, bohemian and arty Montmartre or the Latin Quarter, which is dense with museums and cafes.

Don’t miss

Indulgence comes in many forms, and patisseries are one. Take time out to dazzle your eyes and taste buds with an upmarket French pastry, and you’ll be spoiled for life. Among the most elegant spots to tuck in are the tearoom Angelina on rue du Rivoli, the magnificent pâtisserie Stohrer on rue Montorgueil (opened in 1730 by King Louis XV’s pastry chef) and Meurice on rue de Castiglione. Its pastries, sculpted to look like fruit, are extraordinary.

Get active

Seine Class Viking Longship on the Seine.

There are plenty of large parks in Paris, including Parc Andre Citroen close to one of the most-used cruise docks. You could jog along the Seine and Canal Saint-Martin, the latter in a lately trendy district. For something different, Coulee Verte Rene-Dumont is a 4.7-kilometre green corridor that follows former railway tracks in the 12th arrondissement. The city’s Velib Metropole shared-bike system is extensive and has both bikes and e-bikes.

Retail therapy

Hit elegant rue de la Paix and Palais Royal for antiques, clothes and perfume. Then head to the venerable Passage du Grand-Cerf for trendy jewellery. For more regular (but still stylish) shopping, head to Galeries Lafayette, Le Printemps and Bon Marche department stores, and the discount shops of rue de Rivoli and rue Saint-Antoine.

Further afield

While many cruises overnight in Paris, excursions generally concentrate on the city or particular districts and museums. Two exceptions are Chateau de Malmaison, home of Napoleon’s wife Josephine, and former seat of the French monarchy Versailles. The latter takes up most of the day, with a tour of the palace interior usually followed by free time in the vast gardens. The two are sometimes alternatively visited from Conflans further downriver.

For more on cruising in France, watch Getaway on 9Now.