Unusual: we tested the eFoil, this electric surfboard that glides along the Seine, in a marina in the 16th arrondissement

Want to fly over the Seine this summer? Head to the 16th arrondissement to discover Foil in Paris, an urban marina that offers a try on the eFoil, this futuristic electric board. We tested this quirky (and refreshing) activity, blending gliding, a floating pool and a beach-club vibe.

In the heart of an urban marina vibe in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, take advantage of sunny days to try new experiences and learn to glide on the water with Foil in Paris. On the Seine, you can test the eFoil, this electric board that lets you fly above the water with undeniable style, a sport halfway between surfing and cutting-edge technology, allowing you to rediscover the Seine in a way different from being aboard a boat.

How does it work? As speed increases, the foil lifts the board out of the water for a smooth glide, and finding your balance is part of the challenge. Accessible to beginners because it feels intuitive, this quiet activity lasts one hour, guided by instructors. It’s you who fully controls the board, via a remote, managing acceleration up to 55 km/h and your posture!

Obviously, it’s wise to know how to swim if you end up taking a quick dip, even if you’re equipped with a life jacket and a helmet. If you’re thalassophobic, note that this is a river and the bottom isn’t visible, so you might want to skip it. But there’s no risk of sharks here. To enjoy this activity, you’ll need to shell out 150 euros for one hour (360€/3h).

On site, visitors can also enjoy a small floating pool with sun loungers along the Seine to soak up the sun, complemented by a cocktail bar and tapas available. Expect €20 for 1 hour of access and €50 for 3 hours. Other activities on offer include yoga on Saturdays, pilasthénie, or off-road electric skating.

The adjacent restaurant, Les Maquereaux, serves seafood-focused cuisine. Private cruises aboard the electric boats Green River Cruises round out the experience, making it easy to spend the whole day there. A summer, sporty hotspot, with a Mediterranean beach-club vibe envisioned by Emmanuel and Nicolas, right in the heart of the capital, open every day!

We Tested It for You

First thing to say: we were among those harboring some preconceptions about being forced to swim in the Seine, but we left the session thrilled by the experience! Between the 16th arrondissement and Boulogne-Billancourt, the Foil in Paris marina stands out among the river’s many barges. It’s visible from afar, with its lovely pool and the odd flying devices (and people) buzzing nearby.

For the less sporty among you, you can absolutely come just to enjoy the sun loungers and the pool! Note that the pool is not heated at these summer-like temperatures, hovering around 23 degrees. You can order drinks or tapas from the neighboring boat. To change, you simply stroll down into the barge’s hold, where there are changing rooms, showers and lockers, even if your belongings are unlikely to be touched on the weeknights on the loungers.

Don’t forget your towel, it isn’t provided on-site! While the spot can accommodate up to 30 people, weekend seaside outings tend to be busier, weekdays are relatively calm, making it ideal for sunbathing or trying the eFoil. This sport, invented in Puerto Rico, lets you skim the water without pollution, thanks to its electric setup.

This technological marvel costs more than 10,000 euros per unit, so you can understand why the session price can seem steep! But it’s worth a try, even if you think you’re not in peak shape—the marina’s elder statesman is 82 years old! Note, however, that only adults can participate, as Paris regulations still ban under-18s from this activity.

After gearing up, you suit up in a suit sized to you, a life jacket and a helmet—quite the look. Your day’s instructor will walk you through the basics of handling the eFoil, and then you’re off for a full hour on the Seine, with solid supervision! Only three people can be on the water at once, for a truly private lesson. If you missed a detail during the briefing, you’ll quickly pick it up. Typically, the first 30 minutes are about learning to stand on the board, the rest is about rising above the water!

Some will be quicker than others, but even if you struggle to get up, the session remains fun, gliding along the Seine for about 3.5 km, from the Viaduc de Saint-Cloud to the Pont de Suresnes. A serious distance covered with smooth back-and-forth passes, in a safe zone behind the Bois de Boulogne, where boats are few and far between. The hour flies by, thanks to all the attempts and the occasional wipeout.

And if you hoped to stay dry, we regret to inform you that’s not in the cards! Once you’ve got the handle on it, you’ll be leaping through the water, sometimes at good speed, controlled with a handheld remote. That remote powers the craft, and the main challenge is keeping your speed steady while you rise on the board.

But you’ll get the hang of it, sooner or later! Aside from the post-session soreness, it’s all water-based fun with a safety cushion from the wetsuit. The session remains a bit physically demanding, as you repeatedly climb back onto the board with your arms and maintain balance, engaging a good set of muscles. You’ll finish fatigued, but exhilarated!

With the intense summer heat, lingering in the Seine at ambient temperature under the sun is truly pleasant. If you want to keep your sunglasses on, bring a strap so they don’t vanish into the river. On the way back to the marina, you can linger a bit longer and soak in the place before you recover from that buzzing sensation of flying over water!

To get there, you’ll want a comfortable stroll: you’re roughly a 20-minute walk from Boulogne - Pont de Saint-Cloud on line 10 and about as far from Gare du Val d’Or on line L of the Transilien. But coming from the latter, you’ll be treated to a shaded path and a superb view, framed by the Eiffel Tower and the towers of La Défense!

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.