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 ...

Where we ate our first night in Paris

56, bd de Latour-Maubourg, 75007 PARIS

tel 01 45 51 93 08

We had dinner at Le Bistrot du 7 ème. I am not a restaurant critic and it being our first night "in town," I was just happy to have taken a good hot shower and be in clothes other than what I wore to travel in, and was so enamored by the group I was with, that I could not be picky about the meal. Suffice to say, everything I had was delicious - from the herring entree (appetizer) to my duck main course. Our tour guide arranged for us to eat here. I enjoyed the small yet intimate room and soft lighting. The staff was very pleasant. If you want more details, check out the online reviews for this establishment ... you'll find plenty on the web.