Concert on the Seine: Billet Doux plays on the water
Some evenings leave a lasting mark. The night the band Billet Doux played an acoustic set on the deck of the Sénang, gliding slowly beneath the illuminated bridges of Paris at sunset, is undoubtedly one of them. This concert on the Seine captures the very essence of what we strive to offer at Un Bateau à Paris: unique, intimate and deeply Parisian experiences.
A magical setting: live music on the Seine at dusk
Picture the scene. The Sénang gently leaves the Port de l’Arsenal as the sun begins its descent behind the rooftops of Paris. The Haussmann façades glow gold and pink. On the deck of the Dutch tjalk, the musicians of Billet Doux tune their instruments. The first chords ring out over the water as the boat glides onto the Seine.
The music blends with the lapping of waves against the hull, with the murmur of the city fading into the distance. Beneath the Pont d’Austerlitz, the notes bounce off century-old stone, creating a striking natural acoustic. It is a suspended moment, one of those instants when Paris reveals itself in all its beauty.
Billet Doux: acoustic intimacy on the water
The choice of Billet Doux for this evening was no accident. The band performs sensitive acoustic music, woven from delicate melodies and finely crafted lyrics, perfectly suited to the intimate atmosphere of a cruise aboard the Sénang. Their sound, at once warm and airy, converses naturally with the river setting.
On a boat, music takes on a special dimension. Sound travels across the water, the reverberations of bridges add unexpected depth, and the absence of urban noise leaves every note room to breathe. The musicians themselves confided that they had experienced something extraordinary, playing in a setting that no concert hall could ever replicate.
The Sénang: a floating concert hall for 12 privileged guests
What makes these concerts on the Seine truly exceptional is the Sénang’s capacity. With a maximum of 12 passengers, every person on board has a front-row seat. There is no bad spot, no distance between the artists and the audience. You are together, sharing the same breath, carried by the music and the current of the Seine.
This intimacy is the Sénang’s signature. Our 12-metre Dutch tjalk is not designed for crowds: it is made for rare and precious moments. A private concert on the Seine aboard the Sénang is the very antithesis of a packed sightseeing boat. It is a privilege that only a handful of people in the world can experience.
The natural acoustics of the Seine
Professional musicians know it well: water is an extraordinary natural amplifier. Sound propagates with remarkable clarity across the surface of the Seine. Add to that the natural vault formed by the arches of Parisian bridges, and you obtain acoustics that the finest concert halls would envy. Each passage beneath a bridge becomes a sonic event, a musical surprise that the artists learn to use and that passengers remember long afterwards.
Champagne, music and monuments: an exceptional evening
While Billet Doux played, passengers savoured a glass of champagne, comfortably settled on deck. The Île Saint-Louis drifted past to starboard, majestic in the light of the setting sun. Then Notre-Dame appeared, its reconstruction scaffolding a testament to Parisian resilience. Camera flashes from tourists on the quays punctuated the gathering night while the music continued, soft and enveloping.
It is this unique combination — live music, champagne, the sunset, monuments gliding slowly past — that creates the magic of a musical cruise on the Seine. No restaurant, no rooftop, no bar can offer this experience. It exists only on the water.
Your cruise, your musical atmosphere
This concert with Billet Doux perfectly illustrates what we offer at Un Bateau à Paris: fully bespoke private cruises. Do you dream of an acoustic concert at sunset? An electro DJ set under the stars? A jazz quartet for a birthday? A violinist for a marriage proposal? Anything is possible aboard the Sénang.
We work with you to create the cruise that reflects who you are. The Sénang becomes your private stage, your floating lounge, your bubble of excellence on the Seine. Music is just one example of the countless possibilities offered by a private charter of the Sénang.
More than a cruise: a bespoke experience
This is what sets Un Bateau à Paris apart from other Seine cruise offerings. We do not offer a standardised product. We create with you a unique moment, thoughtfully designed down to the smallest detail, crafted in your image. Whether for a corporate event, a family celebration or an evening among friends, the Sénang is the setting for your finest Parisian memories.
Set sail for your own concert on the Seine
Tempted by a private musical cruise on the Seine? Contact us to imagine together your ideal evening. Our private cruises are available from €480 and welcome up to 12 passengers for a truly intimate experience.
Book your private cruise and let yourself be carried by the music, the current and the magic of Paris seen from the water. The Sénang is waiting just for you.