BATOBUS, the river bus service was created in 1989, at the time of the bicentennial celebrations of the French Revolution. Management of the service was entrusted to the Autonomous Port of Paris who granted the concession to Bateaux. Parisiens with a contract renewable on a yearly basis.
In 1996, the contract was renewed for thirteen seasons, under the commercial name Batobus. Eight stops were established in Paris’ leading districts: five on the left bank of the River Seine and three on the right.
Since 2002, Batobus is AFNOR certified, demonstrating the company’s commitment to guaranteeing quality service. In 2014, the contract was renewed until 2035, offering new opportunities to extend the shuttle circuit and develop this alternative mode of transport.
On 1st June 2015, Batobus inaugurated its ninth stop: Beaugrenelle, located close to the shopping centre and Île aux Cygnes in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, this stop makes shopping so much easier for tourists and Parisians! For 25 years now, Batobus has been meeting growing demand in river transport and sustainable mobility, easing congestion in the city and diversifying how people travel.
Batobus is a river transport shuttle service on the River Seine. The company is a subsidiary of Bateaux Parisiens and a member of the Sodexo group. Its panoramic boats stop at nine locations in the heart of Paris, close to the city’s main districts and historical Monuments: Tour Eiffel, Musée d’Orsay, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Notre Dame, Jardin des Plantes, Hôtel de Ville, Louvre, Champs-Elysées and Beaugrenelle
Using the Batobus Pass, one can get on and off where and when one wants and as often as one wants as per the validity of the Pass: 1 day, 2 (consecutive) days or 1 year!
The service is available seven days a week, all year round:
– Low season: A boat every 25 minutes from 10am to 7pm
– High season: A boat every 20 minutes from 10am to 9.30pm
For tourists, Batobus is an original and enjoyable way of exploring the capital.
For Parisians, Batobus offers the promise of alternative and sustainable mobility, going against the tide of increasingly fast travel and letting residents gently rediscover their city while enjoying a change of scenery.
Batobus has a lot of advantages:
– Nine stops within Paris
– A Pass-type ticket so you get on and off as often as you want
– All-glass boats, heated in winter with an outdoor area at the back of the boat
– Dedicated area for parking cycles at the front of the boat
– Welcoming staff who speak several languages
AFNOR CERTIFICATION: Wanting to maintain the best level of service every season, Batobus took voluntary steps to gain service certification in 2001, through the official body for AFNOR certification. On 25 November 2002, Batobus successfully obtained the AFAQ Service Commitment certificate which acknowledges the commitment of Batobus’ teams to providing quality service.The reference documents written up for this certification go towards sustaining the quality of service offered at stops and aboard the boats.In parallel since 1987, Batobus conducts customer satisfaction surveys throughout the year in the form of questionnaires handed out regularly by Batobus on-board staff. Evaluation of customer satisfaction and customer needs has contributed to the steady improvement of service quality over the years.
Batobus Commitments:
– Batobus reception staff speak at least French and English, not to forget they are very entertaining.
– Tourist information available aboard and at stops
– Batobus boats stop at each station at least every 30 minutes
– One can get on and off Batobus boats safely
– Batobus offers a friendly, cheerful, diligent and efficient welcome
Batobus team includes ticket agents, skippers and on-board staff who are on hand to support passengers throughout their journey. They ensure passenger safety and indicate the main points of interest near stops. More than 100 people work on the boats in high season – men and women speaking several languages and at the service of all Batobus customers!
Batobus fleet includes six panoramic trimarans with capacity for 200 people and two motor launches with capacity for 110 people. Each Batobus is named after a famous Paris landmark: Vendôme, Trocadéro, Bastille, Rivoli, Odéon and Dauphine. Batobus motor launches bear the names of French celebrities Jean Gabin and Yves Montand. Heated in winter, with an outdoor area at the back of the boat and a dedicated area for cycles at the front, they offer comfort and optimum visibility all year round.
BATOBUS PASSES
1 DAY PASS /2 CONSECUTIVE DAYS PASS: These Passes allow you to use the Batobus service for one day or two consecutive days, getting on and off as often as you want!
ANNUAL PASS: A practical and smart way to travel, the Annual Pass gives access to all nine Batobus stops all year round, as often as you want! Valid for one year. Ideal for residents of Paris!
Batobus passes are reasonably priced
| Adult | Child (3-15 years) | |
| 1 day pass | €17 | €8 |
| 2 consecutive day pass | €19 | €10 |
| Annual pass | €60 | €38 |
PRIVATE HIRE: Batobus boats are available for private hire for travelling as a team, among friends or with clients. Batobus lets you get on and off at the stop of your choice.
There is a Batobus ticket office at each stop: staff are available to inform and advise customers on their ticket purchases and on the tourist attractions to be found in each district (museums, shopping, key monuments and more…). The ticket is a pass: it allows you to get on and off the boat, where you want and when you want as long as the pass is valid.
Low season: A boat ≈ every 25 minutes from 10am to 7pm
High season: A boat ≈ every 20 minutes from 10am to 9:30pm
