For the last six years, Paris Water Way has offered a different way to experience the French capital’s iconic river. Its fleet of private boats is a refreshingly intimate departure from the larger vessels synonymous with the Seine.
The company has grown from a bold idea between two friends, into a thriving business with four boats that have become a favorite choice for everyone from the world’s wealthiest tourists to loved-up young couples. The goal is to create a unique, personal experience. "You feel like you privatized not the boat but Paris itself," says founder Salim Akacem.
From learning to captain a boat to navigating the challenges of a pandemic and a surprise starring role in the Paris Olympics, Salim’s journey is one of passion, adaptation, and an unabashed love for his city.
Here, he shares his story, the secrets to creating magical moments, and how partnerships with OTAs have fueled Paris Water Way’s success.
How did Paris Water Way begin?
I started Paris Water Way with my colleague in 2019. To be honest, we didn’t know much about boats when we began — we didn’t even know how to drive them! But we took courses and got our permits. We weren’t exactly the best captains at first, but we’ve come a long way. We now have four boats and professional captains, though I can still step in and drive if needed.
What inspired you to start Paris Water Way if you knew nothing about boats?
I’ve always loved boats. Whenever I went on vacation, I’d try to rent one. But living in Paris, I thought boats meant traveling to the south of France or elsewhere. One day, it hit me — we have a river right here in Paris! Why not start something here? After some research, we bought two boats and took the plunge. It was a big idea, and thankfully, it worked out. The journey so far has been incredible, even during the Covid-19 pandemic.
How did you survive that as a new business?
The summer of 2019 was an excellent season, mostly because of the weather. At least we started strong. Then, the following year, it was definitely strange. We knew we wouldn’t have tourists, so we shifted our communication entirely to locals. Surprisingly, it worked better than we expected. Parisians loved the idea of private boats — something they didn’t even know was possible — people celebrating birthdays, hosting white parties, or just wanting to have a drink. It helped us diversify our communication, and now we cater to both tourists and locals.
When did the decision to expand to more boats come?
Paris is the fashion capital, so having beautiful, luxurious boats felt like a natural step. We wanted to cater to different markets — regular boats for casual outings and limousine boats for high-end experiences. Both types have the same capacity, up to 12 people, but they offer very different vibes. The limousine boats are perfect for proposals, romantic cruises, or special occasions. We’ve had many couples book them, especially for proposals. We know how to do it after six years; we can make a special detour, stop at precisely the right moment and place for him, and try to make it magical.
Have there been any unusual requests?
After six years, nothing feels unusual anymore. We’ve had people ask for special detours for proposals, and we always make sure everything is perfect. Once, I had Jeff Bezos on one of our boats, though I didn’t realize it was him at first. He was with his family and bodyguards, and only later did I figure out who he was. What I didn’t expect was for his credit card to decline, and trying to explain to the merchant that this particular card shouldn’t have any issues going through was quite amusing.
Is that Paris Water Way’s career highlight?
Our biggest highlight is being selected for the Olympic Games opening ceremony in Paris. One of our boats carried a team and a flag during the ceremony — it was a proud moment for us and a great signal of recognition. It was an incredible experience.
When did you start working with OTAs like GetYourGuide, and how has that partnership impacted your business?
We started working with OTAs just after the pandemic. This year, we implemented a channel manager, which has been a game-changer. It allows us to manage bookings across multiple platforms seamlessly. The setup was time-consuming, but now everything is automated and incredibly efficient.
Working with OTAs has helped us reach more tourists, especially Americans, our biggest customer base. The partnership with GetYourGuide has also helped us optimize our tours and increase bookings, especially during peak times like sunsets.
How do you ensure your tours stand out on platforms like GetYourGuide?
The first picture and title are crucial. For example, someone looking for a romantic proposal won’t click on a picture of a group birthday party. We’re experimenting with creating different experiences for the same boat — like a birthday party cruise, a romantic sunset cruise, or a wine-tasting tour. It’s all about making the experience visually appealing and tailored to the customer’s needs.
We also focus on reviews. We give our staff NFC cards that customers can scan to leave a review instantly. If someone’s happy, they’re more likely to leave a five-star review right then and there.
What’s the most special thing about Paris Water Way that sets it apart from other tours?
The intimacy. On a big boat, you’re with 500 people; on ours, it’s just your group. It feels like you’ve privatized not just the boat but Paris itself. The experience is truly unique — you feel the waves and see the monuments from a different perspective, and it’s incredibly personal. Also, we cater to tourists year-round. We have a convertible boat with a heater for winter, so even if someone’s dream trip to Paris happens in January, they can still enjoy a private cruise.
What’s next for Paris Water Way?
We’re working on expanding our fleet, creating more high-level experiences, and improving what we offer visitors and Parisians. We’re also collaborating with other companies to organize annual boat parades on the Seine, which we hope will become a major event in Paris and a yearly tradition kicked off by the Olympics.
Key takeaways
- Fleet expansion and diversification: Paris Water Way grew its fleet from two to four boats, adding luxury limousine-style vessels to attract a new customer.
- Strategic pivot to locals: A successful shift to targeting Parisians during the pandemic created a new, loyal customer base that complements its international tourist market.
- Automation: Adopting a channel manager and API integration with GetYourGuide and other OTAs was a “game-changer,” enabling seamless integration with multiple OTAs, automating bookings, and eliminating the risk of double booking.
- Targeted marketing: The company optimizes its online presence by creating multiple, tailored listings for a single boat — such as romantic cruises or birthday parties — using unique photos and titles to capture different search intents.
- Focus on intimate experiences: The company’s core value proposition is offering a private, intimate tour, which sets them apart from larger, impersonal tours that dominate the Seine.
- Year-round operations: By investing in a convertible, heated boat, Paris Water Way can offer private cruises outside the summer peak — like in December and February, when Paris’ visitor numbers spike — catering to tourists visiting in any season.
