Where to Moor a Houseboat in Paris and Île-de-France
Choosing where to moor your houseboat is one of the most important decisions when planning a floating home lifestyle. Each location along the Seine offers its own atmosphere, surroundings, transport connections and quality of life.
Paris, Neuilly-sur-Seine, Boulogne-Billancourt, Saint-Cloud, Sèvres and the Yvelines region all provide unique opportunities for life on the water. Whether you are looking for an urban setting, a peaceful natural environment or exceptional river views, discover some of the best locations for houseboats and floating homes in Paris, Île-de-France and other regions of France. You can also browse our selection of houseboats and floating homes for sale to find the ideal property for your life on the water.
Best Places to Moor a Houseboat in Paris and Île-de-France
Paris
Living on a houseboat in Paris offers a unique lifestyle, whether moored near some of the city's most iconic landmarks or close to the green surroundings of the Bois de Boulogne. Paris offers a wide variety of houseboats, barges and floating homes, with mooring locations suited to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets.
- 6th arrondissement – Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain-des-Prés: a historic sailing vessel for lovers of Paris and traditional boats
- 8th arrondissement – Port des Champs-Élysées: a prestigious location featuring charming navigable boats and some of the most desirable floating homes on the Right Bank.
- 4th and 12th arrondissements: near Bastille and its lively atmosphere, with attractive boats moored in a sheltered marina.
- 13th arrondissement: close to the Jardin des Plantes and excellent public transport connections.
- 16th arrondissement: near the Trocadéro and Longchamp Racecourse, offering a surprisingly peaceful riverside setting.
- 15th arrondissement: attractive paved quays, shops and convenient transport links.
- 19th arrondissement: around the Bassin de la Villette, with cafés, pétanque players and a relaxed holiday atmosphere in the heart of Paris.
Neuilly-sur-Seine and Puteaux Island
Buying a houseboat or floating home in Neuilly-sur-Seine or on Puteaux Island means choosing one of the most desirable riverside environments in the Paris region.
Since 1989, the municipality of Neuilly-sur-Seine has implemented a river management plan covering sanitation, access to riverbanks, vessel maintenance, mooring conditions and spacing between boats.
Most houseboats are moored facing either Île de la Jatte or Puteaux Island, on a quiet section of the Seine with limited navigation, creating a peaceful and green environment.
Puteaux Island also offers extensive sports facilities, green spaces and a lifestyle particularly appreciated by houseboat owners.
Saint-Cloud and Suresnes
Saint-Cloud and Suresnes benefit from excellent transport connections, including the tramway linking La Défense and Porte de Versailles, SNCF rail services to Saint-Lazare and direct access to the A13 motorway.
Houseboats moored in these locations enjoy exceptional views over the Seine and the Bois de Boulogne.
These moorings are particularly sought after for their green surroundings, quality of life and proximity to central Paris.
Sèvres
The Seine riverbanks in Sèvres offer an attractive environment thanks to extensive green spaces, the Saint-Cloud Park, cycling paths and watersports facilities.
The nearby Île Seguin and La Seine Musicale further enhance the appeal of this riverside town located just outside Paris.
Boulogne-Billancourt
Houseboats moored on either side of the Saint-Cloud Bridge benefit from a variety of environments, ranging from urban settings close to the metro network to more secluded locations hidden behind riverside greenery.
All enjoy excellent sunlight exposure and attractive river views.
Levallois-Perret
Levallois-Perret offers nearly two kilometres of landscaped riverbanks along the Seine.
Some moorings are located in an urban environment close to shops and public transport, while others face Île de la Jatte on a quieter section of the river.
This location is particularly popular with professionals working in Paris or La Défense who are looking for a peaceful waterfront lifestyle.
Issy-les-Moulineaux
Recent riverside redevelopment projects between Sèvres and Issy-les-Moulineaux have transformed the area, creating pedestrian walkways, green spaces and cycling paths.
Facing Île Saint-Germain, houseboats enjoy a peaceful setting while remaining close to Paris, public transport and local amenities.
Villeneuve-la-Garenne
Villeneuve-la-Garenne benefits from excellent road access and public transport, including tramway connections.
Combined with pleasant riverbanks and numerous local amenities, it offers an attractive and often more affordable alternative to central Paris.
Île-Saint-Denis
Located on a quiet branch of the Seine, Île-Saint-Denis offers tree-lined moorings in a peaceful setting.
Public transport provides access to central Paris in less than 25 minutes.
Ongoing Grand Paris development projects continue to increase the attractiveness and long-term potential of this location.
Asnières-sur-Seine – Port Van Gogh
Close to La Défense and major transport routes yet removed from the bustle of the city, Asnières-sur-Seine offers an appealing waterside lifestyle.
With its wooden pontoons, family atmosphere and numerous navigable boats, Port Van Gogh evokes the charm of small Breton harbours.
Other Houseboat Mooring Locations Around Paris
Greater Paris Area
Moving further away from Paris often means enjoying a greener environment and more affordable prices for houseboats and floating homes.
Well-connected locations include Villeneuve-le-Roi, Choisy-le-Roi, Maisons-Alfort and Alfortville.
Around one hour from Paris, Saint-Fargeau-Ponthierry, Port Ilon, Saintry-sur-Seine, Draveil and Vigneux-sur-Seine offer particularly attractive natural surroundings.
Houseboat Moorings in Other Regions of France
Oise
Berneuil-sur-Aisne, in the Oise department, offers an official VNF mooring location approximately 20 minutes from Compiègne.
Rhône
Lyon offers several attractive houseboat mooring opportunities along the Saône River.
Maine-et-Loire
La Membrolle-sur-Longuenée, located around 20 minutes from Angers, provides a peaceful and green environment for life on the water.