French word

bateau-mouche

Pronunciation

IPA/batomuʃ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounsightseeing boat

Example

Nous avons pris le bateau-mouche pour voir Paris.

We took a sightseeing boat to see Paris.

Illustration for bateau-mouche (sightseeing boat)

More examples

Il vaut mieux réserver un billet pour le bateau-mouche en haute saison.

It's better to book a ticket for the sightseeing boat during peak season.

Core concept

A small sightseeing boat gliding along a city river, with passengers viewing landmarks from its deck or windows.

Common phrases

  • prendre le bateau-mouche

    take the sightseeing boat

  • faire une promenade en bateau-mouche

    take a sightseeing boat ride

  • réserver un billet pour le bateau-mouche

    book a ticket for the sightseeing boat

Similar words

bateau touristique: A boat operated for tourists to see notable landmarks and attractions.
bateau de promenade: A small pleasure boat carrying passengers on short scenic rides.
navette fluviale: A public river shuttle running regular trips along a set route.
bateau-taxi: A small paid boat that takes passengers directly to their destination.

Definition in French

Embarcation de tourisme fluvial destinée à faire de courtes croisières pour admirer le paysage, particulièrement associée aux promenades sur la Seine.

Word origin

Bateau-mouche combines bateau, meaning "boat," with mouche, meaning "fly"; the historical reason for mouche is uncertain, but the compound names this type of sightseeing boat.

Usage tips

  • Bateau-mouche is masculine, so standard forms include un bateau-mouche and le bateau-mouche; its plural is bateaux-mouches.

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