Paris Duck Tours: when the bus dives into the Seine
Marcel the Duck is not your typical vehicle. This original amphibious bus, the first of its kind in France, starts by rolling through the streets of Paris before launching into the Seine in a dramatic splash. Passengers, seatbelts fastened and cameras ready, get to see the west side of the city from a perspective usually reserved for riverboats.
A hybrid experience between land and water
The adventure kicks off at the Champ de Mars, right across from the Eiffel Tower. For an hour and twenty-five minutes, the bus cruises through the most iconic neighborhoods of western Paris. You will roll past the Invalides, the gold-adorned pont Alexandre III, the Petit and Grand Palais, the Champs-Élysées, and the Arc de Triomphe. Your guide handles the microphone, mixing historical facts with offbeat humor.
The real highlight hits at Sèvres, near the île de Monsieur (Monsieur's Island). Once a private estate for the brother of Louis XIV, it now houses a boat ramp. That is where Marcel makes the switch from road to river. The splash is significant, and those in the front rows might get a bit wet. It is a crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults.
On the Seine, an unexpected perspective
Once on the water, the bus-boat cruises for twenty minutes. A rear propeller pushes Marcel along, giving you a vantage point of the city you would never get from a standard tour bus. You will see the Seine Musicale on Île Seguin, a futuristic concert hall shaped like a sail. Further out, you get views of the jardins de Saint-Cloud (Saint-Cloud Gardens) and the skyscrapers of la Défense in the distance.
The contrast between the docked houseboats and the active rowing clubs shows a different side of Paris. Rowers usually drift aside to let this strange aquatic visitor pass. On the riverbanks, pedestrians and cyclists often stop to take photos of the spectacle.
A vehicle seven years in the making
Building a bus that can handle both city streets and a river took years of development for the founders of Paris Duck Tours. The machine has to meet both road safety and maritime navigation standards. The engine and chassis came from Calvados and Lyon, while the aluminum hull was manufactured in the United States.
Jérôme Gouet, the captain, holds six different licenses and certifications to pilot Marcel. Safety is the priority, with seatbelts, individual life jackets, and a rescue raft on board. The company is currently developing a second, fully electric amphibious bus.
Insider tip: Arrive fifteen minutes before departure and make sure to use the restroom. There are no facilities on board and the tour lasts nearly two hours. The public restrooms at Champ de Mars often have long lines, especially during the peak travel season.
Who is this tour for?
Families are the primary audience for this activity. Children two years and older are welcome. The splash moment is a guaranteed hit with the younger crowd, but the guides know how to keep all generations engaged.
Good to know:
- Tours are conducted in French and English by enthusiastic guides
- The bus has open windows so you can fully enjoy the view
- Vinyl window covers and heating are provided in winter, plus blankets
- Maximum capacity is 35 passengers for a personal feel
- Private tours are available for special events
Even locals find themselves seeing the city with fresh eyes. Seeing the capital from a bus that turns into a boat changes how you perceive familiar streets. The return trip follows the riverbanks back to the starting point, wrapping up a memorable loop of 1h45 to 2h.
Opening hours
*Information subject to change
A huge thank you to the guide who, with enthusiasm and humor, managed to capture the attention of both the adults and the kids during the tour! Bravo, because it is not always easy to keep children interested!
The splash into the Seine, which the kids were really looking forward to, was quite the thrill and it is funny. It is a shame, however, that the section of the Seine near Boulogne is so far away from the Paris monuments.