Thursday, December 9, 2010

Dinner Cruise on the Bateaux Parisiens

When I heard my tour group was going on a dinner cruise on the Seine, I imagined something sort of "campy" - not in the whimsical campy sort of way ... more like life-preservers, splashing water, windy gusts and oh, yes, a glass of wine. I didn't do any online research about the cruise before going. So I was pleasantly surprised at HOW ELEGANT the affair was. 
Shown above:  The Bateaux Parisiens dinner cruise menu.

What I had:  For the first course, I tried the green and white cream soup served cappuccino style, with lobster bits and slow-cooked morels. Delish!
 
The duck foie gras - always a good choice.

For our next course, I chose the beef tournedos, with a reduction of Bordelaise wine sauce. My pick for dessert was the Crepes Suzette, orrange butter and Grand Marnier.
Unfortunately, due to where I was sitting (you know, one of those places where you have to disrupt everyone else to get away from the table), I never made it onto the deck. I did catch glimpses out of the windows as we passed by these famous landmarks ...
A little map of the boat's course along the Seine 

A nice touch:  During our cruise along the Seine, we were serenaded by the musicians, and even an operatic rendition of "Ava Maria" as we passed Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres.

Needless to say, with the delicious food, lovely company, and enchanting ambiance, I was "a happy camper"!

Here's the video, for your viewing pleasure ...

9 comments:

Unknown said...

OMG It`s yummy!!!!!!!

Cathy said...

Oh, I'm reading this before supper, and you are making me so hungry. And all I have in the fridge are eggs.

Marie-Thérèse said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Marie-Thérèse said...

You won't believe this, but many years ago, my husband and I arrived in Paris on the 3rd of July and the next day, the 4th, two of my Parisian cousins arranged a dinner on a "bateau mouche" to celebrate American Independence Day.

The pianist on board played "An American in Paris" and there were fireworks around the Statue of Liberty. I have never felt so wonderfully French and American at the same time.

Americans were given free desserts and "pousse cafés." It was the best 4th of July I have ever spent with my two cultures in perfect harmony. Fabulous!

Je m'appelle Cynthia said...

M-T, that's a lovely story ... and so glad my post is bringing back that memory.

Cathy ... eggs can be pretty delicious depending on what you do with them! Quiche?

Thanks everyone for stopping by and leaving your comments.

Hazel said...

I'm thinking Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn in Charade...

Marie-Thérèse said...

Hazel, I love that movie. I can watch it over and over again, and have.

Come to think of it, I can watch anything those two do over and over again. Sigh!

Meg Mitchell said...

I have never done a dinner cruise. It's really the best of Paris isn't it? Food and beautiful city at night.
Glad to see you back.
Meg

The Armchair Parisian said...

We did this on our first visit to Paris and it was great fun. Now I just do a boat ride in the evening and eat elsewhere, but I always remember it :-) Hmmmm..maybe next time I'll do it again....

From the BBC series on Paris, Blood and Chocolate (Part 2 of 3). Enjoy!

Streets of Paris - I shot this the day I left Paris, on a rainy September morning.

Small group Paris tours for women