Uber Boat arrives in Paris: what this new service on the Seine really offers

Uber is expanding its Parisian operations to include boating with Uber Boat, a service that allows users to book a boat directly through its app. Launching in June 2026, this new offering is also available in Annecy, Cannes, Marseille, Nice, Saint-Tropez, and Toulon. Contrary to what its name might suggest, Uber Boat is not a water taxi service operating like the platform's ride-hailing services. In Paris, it primarily involves booking a private boat trip on the Seine, with a boat and skipper, subject to availability.

A partnership with the French company Click&Boat

Uber does not own the boats and has no plans to add a new fleet to the Seine. The platform relies on Click&Boat, a French company specializing in boat rentals. The available boats belong to individuals or professional operators already listed by this partner. Booking is integrated into the Uber app, which serves as an interface between the customer and Click&Boat's catalog. This partnership potentially provides access to a European offering of approximately 50,000 boats. Prices vary depending on the chosen model, the duration of the trip, and the services offered.

A first experiment conducted during the Olympic Games

Uber and Click&Boat had already tested their collaboration in Paris during the summer of 2024. The "Uber Cruise" initiative offered free, one-hour private boat trips on the Seine, booked exclusively through the app. Each booking could accommodate up to twelve people. The service launched in 2026 reflects a more commercial and sustainable approach. Uber aims to expand beyond its traditional urban transportation business to integrate rides, meals, accommodations, and now even some tourist experiences into a single app.

A tourist expansion rather than a transport revolution

Uber One subscribers receive 10% of their booking amount back in credits. These credits can then be used to order a ride or delivery on Uber Eats, within their validity period. Uber Boat is therefore not expected to replace the metro, ride-hailing services, or river services like Batobus. The project primarily targets tourists and Parisians looking for a private outing on the Seine. For Uber, the goal is less about revolutionizing daily commutes than about capturing a new segment of the Parisian leisure and tourism market.