The Sénang’s new bimini top: all-season comfort on the Seine
At Un Bateau à Paris, we are constantly striving to enhance our passengers’ experience. That is why we are proud to announce the installation of a new bimini top on the Sénang, our 12-metre Dutch tjalk moored at the Port de l’Arsenal in Paris’s 12th arrondissement. This major upgrade now allows you to fully enjoy our private cruises on the Seine in every season, regardless of the whims of Parisian weather.
What is a bimini top and why is it essential?
A bimini top — sometimes called a sun awning or deck canopy — is a textile shelter installed above the passenger area of a boat. It serves a dual purpose: providing shade on sunny days and sheltering from rain when Parisian skies turn fickle. On a river cruise boat, it is a feature that fundamentally transforms onboard comfort.
Unlike the large, fully glazed sightseeing boats, the Sénang offers an open-air experience, close to the water and the monuments. The bimini top preserves this unique proximity with the Seine while ensuring effective protection from the elements.
Why did we install this new bimini top?
Paris is a magnificent city in every season, and the Seine takes on different lights throughout the year. We did not want our cruises to be limited to fine-weather days alone. With this new bimini top, we can now offer comfortable cruises from spring to autumn, and even on mild winter days.
Spring showers? You stay dry while admiring the reflections of rain on the Seine. July sunshine? You enjoy welcome shade as Paris glides past your eyes. The soft light of October? The bimini top stays discreet, letting the golden glow of a Parisian autumn pour in.
An elegant design true to the Sénang’s spirit
The Sénang is an authentic Dutch tjalk, a boat of character whose traditional aesthetics are an integral part of the experience. Installing equipment that would detract from its appearance was out of the question. Our new bimini top was custom-made from quality marine fabric whose shade harmonises perfectly with the boat’s woodwork and hull.
The structure, both sturdy and lightweight, does not obstruct the panoramic view in any way. Whether seated or standing, your gaze sweeps freely across the quays of the Seine, the illuminated bridges and the Parisian monuments. The bimini top fades from notice, leaving nothing but the spectacle of Paris seen from the water.
Materials built to last
The selected fabric is a technical marine-grade textile, UV-resistant, waterproof and treated against mould. The brushed stainless-steel hoops resist river corrosion. The entire assembly is removable for the Sénang’s winter maintenance, ensuring optimal longevity of the equipment.
A cruise enhanced in every season
This new bimini top truly transforms the onboard experience. Picture an evening aperitif cruise in May: a few drops of rain begin to fall, but under the bimini top you continue savouring your champagne while the lights of the Bastille reflect in the puddles on the quay. Or imagine a luncheon on the water in midsummer: the sun beats down, but in the shade of the bimini top a fresh breeze from the Seine wraps pleasantly around you.
For our event cruises — birthdays, marriage proposals, corporate seminars — the bimini top also adds a cosy, cocoon-like touch that reinforces the private and exclusive character of the experience. Up to 12 passengers enjoy a sheltered and convivial space, lulled by the gentle lapping of the water.
A jewel visible from the Port de l’Arsenal
The Sénang is moored at the Port de l’Arsenal, that beautiful marina nestled between the Place de la Bastille and the Seine. The new bimini top adds an elegant silhouette to the boat, which you can spot while strolling along the port. If you are in the neighbourhood, do come and admire the Sénang in its new attire.
You can also discover the bimini top in photos on our Instagram account @bateau_a_paris, where we regularly share pictures of the Sénang and our cruises on the Seine.
Book your all-season cruise
Thanks to this new bimini top, there is no longer a bad season to step aboard the Sénang. Whether you wish to organise a private cruise on the Seine for a special event or simply enjoy an exceptional moment among friends, we welcome you with the comfort and elegance that are the hallmark of Un Bateau à Paris.
Discover all our cruise packages starting from €480 and book now your next escape on the Seine. The Sénang awaits you, rain or shine.