The River Seine is the lifeblood of Paris; a snaking waterway that winds into the city past the gothic spires of Notre-Dame and the iconic Pont Neuf; alongside the Jardin des Tuileries and the Musée d’Orsay; past the Place de la Concorde and the Grand Palais; eventually arriving at the Eiffel Tower and the gardens of the 16th arrondissement. It’s here, in the photogenic heart of Paris, that legendary chef Alain Ducasse is launching his latest venture, a state-of-the-art luxury river cruiser called Ducasse sur Seine.
The 100% electric-powered boat will seat up to 200 guests for scenic lunch and dinner cruises along the Seine, with signature Ducasse dining in a stylish environment created by fashion designers Maurizio Galante and Tal Lancman. Under the guidance of chef Francis Fauvel, a revolving menu of seasonal French dishes will be prepared aboard the boat, specifically created to fit into 90-minute cruises along the river. A three-course lunch cruise starts from US $117, while the 8.30pm five-course dinner cruise complete with Champagne and wine pairings starts from $340.
When it’s not plying the waters of the Seine, the 40-metre vessel will be docked in the shadow of the Eiffel Towel at Port Debilly, adjacent to Pont d’Iena. As well as the fixed-departure lunch and dinner cruises, guests are welcome aboard for aperitifs, Champagne and gourmet treats throughout the day; think savoury snacks like truffled croque-monsieur and mushroom tartlets, or sweet treats such as raspberry madeleines and fig meringues. C’est magnifique.