REVIEW · PARIS
Paris: Seine Cruise and Macaron Tasting by the Eiffel Tower
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Global Tours And Tickets · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Two Paris treats, one smooth river ride. This combo pairs a 1-hour Seine cruise with an on-the-day macaron tasting close to the Eiffel Tower area, so you get sights and a sweet finish without overthinking your schedule.
I like the way the cruise gives you a fast orientation—you pass the major postcard stops along the river. I also like that you get two macarons included, and you’re not stuck buying dessert somewhere overpriced just to end the day happily.
The main thing to watch is time and lines. During busy periods, you may queue a while to board, and the macaron stop can feel a bit hectic when the shop is full.
In This Review
- Key moments that matter
- Why this Eiffel Tower–Seine combo works
- Timing your 1-hour cruise and macaron voucher
- Finding Port de la Bourdonnais Pier 3 (no meetup needed)
- What you’ll see on the Seine: Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, Louvre
- The macaron tasting at MAKDAMIA: two macarons, no guessing
- Comfort, capacity, and small rules that affect your day
- Price and value: what $21 really buys you
- How to choose your cruise seat and avoid common annoyances
- Who should book this Seine cruise with macarons?
- Should you book this tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the Seine River cruise?
- What do I get with the macaron tasting?
- Where is the cruise boarding location?
- Where is the macaron tasting location?
- What time is the macaron tasting available?
- Do I need a hotel pickup or a meeting point?
Key moments that matter
- Seine cruise, 1 hour long: enough time to see the icons without turning your day into a part-time job.
- Pier 3 access, no meetup: you’ll enter on your own at the cruise address.
- Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, Louvre on the route: the river ride hits the big names.
- Exactly two macarons per person: included, assorted, and waiting for you at MAKDAMIA.
- Large boat capacity: up to about 300 in good weather, so pick your seating based on views and comfort.
- Quick plan for a tight itinerary: cruise first or dessert first, using the voucher on the same date.
Why this Eiffel Tower–Seine combo works
If Paris is on a tight clock, this is a smart way to stack value. For about the price of a single pricey dinner (and way less than what some “views + food” packages charge), you get a Seine sightseeing loop and a sweet French finish in one day.
The cruise is the backbone of the experience. In an hour, you glide past major landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre, all from the water level where the city looks less staged and more lived-in.
Then comes the macarons. You don’t need a separate reservation ritual or a scavenger hunt for dessert. You simply use your voucher at the shop address tied to your tour date.
You can also read our reviews of more food & drink experiences in Paris
Timing your 1-hour cruise and macaron voucher
This runs daily, with the cruise scheduled across the day and the macaron tasting available every day from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Your cruise departure time can vary during the day between thirty minutes to one hour, and it should be written on your cruise ticket.
So here’s the practical strategy: choose a cruise time that gives you a buffer for boarding lines, then keep your macaron stop flexible. The macaron vouchers are valid only on the tour date, and you can use them any time during the shop’s opening hours.
Do cruise first if you want the river view to set your mood. Do macarons first if you’re the type who likes dessert as a mid-afternoon reset. Either way, you’ll still land the same final payoff: two macarons and a “now I’ve done Paris” feeling.
Finding Port de la Bourdonnais Pier 3 (no meetup needed)
One of the easiest parts here is that there’s no hotel pickup and no formal meeting point. You’ll go directly to each place on your own using the addresses provided.
For the cruise, head to Port de la Bourdonnais 75507, Pier Number 3, with Bateaux Parisiens as the operator. For the macaron tasting, go to 13 Rue de Monttessuy, 75007, at MAKDAMIA.
I like this setup because it fits real travel days. You’re not waiting around for a van. You’re not tracking a guide who’s five blocks away. You just show up, enter, and go.
If you’re prone to second-guessing navigation, take a moment before you leave your hotel to confirm the exact pier. Pier numbering matters on the Seine.
What you’ll see on the Seine: Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, Louvre
The cruise itself is built around getting you those iconic river views. As you move along the Seine, you’ll spot major Paris landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre.
The biggest payoff is perspective. From the water, buildings stack differently and the river feels like the city’s organizing spine. It’s also a fast way to understand where things sit relative to each other, especially if you plan to walk later.
Seating matters more than you’d think. One tip that’s useful: if you sit inside on the side that puts you away from glare, the views can feel cleaner. If the weather is friendly, you can also consider the outdoor terrace on some boats for more open-air viewing—just remember smoking is not allowed inside.
And don’t worry if you’re not a “museum person” today. This is sightseeing you can do in one sitting, with the river doing the work.
The macaron tasting at MAKDAMIA: two macarons, no guessing
At MAKDAMIA (13 Rue de Monttessuy), each visitor gets 2 assorted French macarons. That’s the entire food deal tied to this experience, and it’s a good thing to know up front.
Why it’s valuable: you get a real Paris sweet without letting dessert turn into a budget leak. Also, the voucher concept keeps you from having to time your hunger perfectly. You can stop by any time during shop opening hours on your tour date.
The tasting can get busy, so plan like you’re visiting a popular neighborhood bakery. If you go during peak hours, expect some line energy. The staff can still be welcoming, but the process may feel a little chaotic when the shop is full.
If you care about the vibe, aim for a slightly off-peak time—late morning or mid-afternoon often feels smoother than the lunch crush.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Paris
Comfort, capacity, and small rules that affect your day
This experience is casual, but there are a few rules that shape how comfortable your cruise feels.
First: capacity depends on weather. In good weather, boats can host around 300 people. In rainy weather, capacity is closer to 120 people. That matters for crowd comfort and view lines.
Second: no outside food or drinks are allowed on the cruise. So if you’re the type who likes to pack snacks for travel days, you’ll need to eat elsewhere before or after the boat.
Third: the boats are non-smoking, though some restaurants have outdoor terrace smoking areas nearby. If you’re sensitive to smoke, the non-smoking boat rule is a genuine plus.
Fourth: animals aren’t permitted on the cruise, except for service animals accompanying visitors with disabilities.
Finally: bring headphones and a charged smartphone. That’s a clue that you may use audio through your phone during the experience. Also, the cruise can be more enjoyable with audio help—though if your audio app or site timing is off, don’t panic. You can still enjoy the ride by watching landmarks as they pass.
Price and value: what $21 really buys you
At $21 per person, you’re paying for two things: a 1-hour Seine cruise plus two macarons. In Paris, that combination is often where packages like this earn their keep—because both parts are time-sensitive and easy to mess up on your own.
A cruise ticket alone can cost a lot, and dessert add-ons can add up fast once you’re near the top tourist nodes. Here, macarons are included as a fixed, simple add-on. That’s why the price feels reasonable: you’re not buying uncertainty.
Is it a luxury experience? No. This is “great views, basic boat, sweet included.” If you want a polished, slow, guide-led deep history hour, you might prefer a different style of tour. But if you want a solid sightseeing shortcut plus a tasty reward, this holds its value well.
How to choose your cruise seat and avoid common annoyances
If you’re thinking about comfort, plan your seat choice with your priorities in mind.
When you board, choose your side based on lighting and sight lines. One helpful idea: some people prefer staying inside and aiming for the side that gives better views once you’re seated. If it’s sunny and clear, you can also consider the roof/outdoor area if your boat offers it.
Now for the two real annoyances to plan around.
1) Queues. During peak seasons, boarding lines can stretch, sometimes to the point that you’ll stand for over an hour. That means your “I’ll arrive ten minutes early” plan can turn into “I should have arrived earlier.”
2) Audio timing. If the audio component doesn’t match where you are on the river, don’t treat it like a failure. Still watch the landmarks with your eyes. The visuals are the star here.
A simple fix: arrive with enough time to spare, keep your expectations realistic, and use headphones but stay flexible.
Who should book this Seine cruise with macarons?
Book this if you want a one-day Paris win: major sights plus dessert without extra planning. It’s especially good for people who:
- want a fast way to connect the Eiffel Tower area with the rest of the city center,
- are traveling with someone who enjoys food but doesn’t want a long guided lesson,
- need a break day where you still feel like you did something iconic.
It may not be your best match if:
- you hate lines and are sensitive to crowds,
- you’re expecting a high-touch, fully guided experience on the boat,
- you want an all-night tasting schedule. The macaron stop runs until 6:30 p.m.
Should you book this tour?
If you like the idea of ticking off the Seine route while keeping dessert simple, I’d say yes. The mix of a 1-hour cruise and two included macarons is a good use of time, especially near the Eiffel Tower area.
Before you book, be honest about the trade-offs. This is not a quiet private boat. It’s a popular, scheduled ride with realistic wait times at busy hours. If you show up with a little buffer and keep your expectations aligned, you’ll end the day with both the views and the bite.
If you want a flexible plan, you can also book with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and a reserve-and-pay-later style option. That takes pressure off your schedule.
FAQ
How long is the Seine River cruise?
The cruise lasts 1 hour.
What do I get with the macaron tasting?
You receive 2 assorted French macarons.
Where is the cruise boarding location?
The cruise boards at Port de la Bourdonnais, 75507, Pier Number 3 (Bateaux Parisiens).
Where is the macaron tasting location?
The macaron tasting is at 13 Rue de Monttessuy, 75007 (MAKDAMIA).
What time is the macaron tasting available?
The macaron tasting is available every day from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Do I need a hotel pickup or a meeting point?
No. There’s no meeting point and no hotel pickup. You’ll enter each activity on your own at the provided addresses.
