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Bateaux Mouches (French pronunciation:[batomuʃ]) are open, long, and often glass-covered excursion boats that provide visitors toParis with a view of the center of the city from along the riverSeine.[1][citation needed] They also operate on Parisian canals such asCanal Saint-Martin, which is partially subterranean.[not verified in body]
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The termBateaux Mouches is a registeredtrademark of theCompagnie des Bateaux Mouches, the most widely known operator of the boats in Paris, founded byJean Bruel (1917–2003);[2][full citation needed] however, the phrase, because of the success of the company, is used generically to refer to all such boats operating on the river within the city.Bateaux Mouches translates literally as "fly boats" ("fly" meaning the insect); however, the name arose because they were originally manufactured in boatyards situated in the Mouche area ofLyon. They started with steamers at anExhibition in 1867, but the Steamers stopped running in the slow down of theGreat Depression.
The modern boats are popular tourist attractions in Paris. Boats often have an open upper deck and an enclosed lower deck; some have sliding canopies that can close to protect the open deck during inclement weather. Boats can accommodate up to 1000 passengers each.[3] Most boat tours include a live or recorded commentary on the sights along the river. A typical cruise lasts about one hour. Many companies offer lunch and dinner cruises as well. Most boats are equipped with lights to illuminate landmarks in the evening.
Since the Seine is centrally situated in Paris, aboat tour covers a great deal of the city. Both theLeft Bank (Rive Gauche) and theRight Bank (Rive Droite) are visible from the boat. Passengers can see, among other sites, theEiffel Tower;Notre-Dame Cathedral; theAlexander III Bridge, thePont Neuf; theOrsay Museum, and theLouvre Museum. Passengers can also seeLes Invalides,Napoleon's burial site.
Boat tours in Paris have flourished sinceWorld War II, and today the Compagnie des Bateaux Mouches (still the oldest company operating boat tours) has significant competition. On busy days during high season, boats constantly move up and down the river.
The city also used the boats to ferry athletes during the2024 Summer Olympics'opening ceremony's Parade of Nations down the Seine – the first Parade of Nations to not be held in a stadium.[4]
A Canadian company runs a tour of theSaint Lawrence River aroundMontreal using a distinct type of tour boat, which is called the "Bateau-Mouche of the Old Port of Montréal".[citation needed]
InKingston, Ontario, Canada, Kingston 1000 Island Cruises operates "Le Bateau Mouche II" for lunch and dinner cruises of the 1000 Islands, sailing a vessel referred to unofficially as the "Island Star".[citation needed]
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48°51′50″N2°18′21″E / 48.86389°N 2.30583°E /48.86389; 2.30583