Amazing Houseboat in "Champs Elysées harbor" with virtual visit

We had a wonderful time on this houseboat! The setting and location is what it's all about. The central location gives quick access to the heart of Paris. Literally across the river from the Orsay museum. Steps from Plaza De Concorde and the Tuileries garden and the Louvre. Views of the Eiffel tower from the deck are amazing as well. Having dinner or a glass of wine outside while watching the boats float by or just staring at the Eiffel tower sparkle is all anyone could need. It is down off the main road and feels very private despite its busy and central location. The boat could be a little difficult for elderly or handicap persons but my dad is both and managed just fine. Each person should look at the pictures carefully to make their own determination. We had a great trip and would like to do it again with friends.

Risico was a great find. Few hotels or apartments offer its stunning views. We sat on deck, admiring the Eiffel Tower, morning and night. And if that ever became boring (which it didn’t) a slight turn of the head and there were the Jardin des Tuileries, the Place de la Concorde, the Louvre and the Musee D’Orsay. Obviously, its location on the Seine made it perfect for visiting some of the major attractions. With our Museum Pass in hand, we were in the Louvre, taking selfies with the Mona Lisa in under 30 minutes. The same for our meeting with Mr. VanGogh at the D’Orsay. Beyond our immediate vicinity, all of Paris was easily accessible by Metro via the convenient D’Orsay and Concorde stations. The boat is spacious and comfortable. Our two boys shared a large bedroom fore, while my wife and I had the master bedroom aft. My daughter occupied a smaller, single bedroom in the center. With two showers, we were able to quickly get ready before our day’s adventure. The boat is tastefully decorated in a modern style I like to call “Late IKEA,” but it is cozy and felt like home. Plenty of skylights and windows let in light. While it was a wonderful experience, we did have a few, negligible issues. Yes, the ceilings are low, both in the main parts of the boat, but especially the access to the foreward bedroom. You will hit inevitably hit your head. Whether you choose to enhance the experience with profanity is up to you. You will be warned of the temperamental toilet, which if not handled with great care, will self-destruct and eat your deposit. There was a moldy, musty smell (think: “old basement”) that we assumed was our “housewarming gift” for being the first renters of the season. The quai at which the boat is docked is kind of spooky at night, and there’s not a lot of lighting. One evening we had to walk through a group of young people having an impromptu party near the boat. The next morning, there were plenty of broken beer bottles to avoid. Nothing menacing. The only true “problem” we had is the fact that the Risico, being docked on the Seine, has no physical address. Watch your taxi driver short-circuit as he tries to find the place using his GPS. We had trouble both reaching the Risico and being picked up for our flight home because the drivers simply didn’t know how to get there. Also know that the property manager, Christine, is wonderful. She made our stay unforgettable.

The Seine is the heartbeat of Paris and this is a wonderful opportunity to experience living on it.

Close enough to everything if you choose to walk and surrounded by metro stations {10 minutes in each direction} that will take you anywhere you wish to go... or do what we did and take a two day ticket for the batobus that stops along the river at major attractions. Easy access by metro to major stations for getting out of Paris to other towns and cities in France.

Best thing ever is to sit on the deck of Risico and enjoy wine and cheese, watching the world enjoy Paris, complete with a fantastic view of the Eiffel tower, in the sunset and illuminated !

Groceries and restaurants are about 10 { very enjoyable} minutes walk away.

Nights are quiet as the boat is below the street level and river noise abates after about 11pm. Below decks river noise is very muted and movement is minimal.

The boat is very well equipped, better than any self catering option we have ever had before. It was wonderful to have all the essentials in the cupboards to get us started.

Christine was very easy to deal with for booking, arriving and leaving. We appreciated her assistance and the nice fat binder provided in the boat. She is very honest about the challenges and pleasures of living on a boat.

The reason that we have awarded just 4 stars is the single toilet. It is very small indeed, in fact we found it difficult to be inside and shut the door.

We enjoyed our stay on Risico very much and would definitely stay again of we returned to Paris.

Me, my husband and our 4 kids spent a whole month in the Risico and had the greatest time in Paris!! The location is unreal with a great view of the Eiffel Tower in one side and the Orsay Museum on the other!! We did everything by foot! Walked every corner as everything is nearby! The boat has everything you could need to be confortable! Everything was very clean and you can tell its been remodelled recently!!

So if you want a great location with great views to live Paris, the Risico is a great option!!

This was a trip to remember! My daughter, son , Grandmother and I loved the location. You can't get closer to so many sites than this. The boat was beautifully appointed with an incredibly well stocked kitchen. The views from the top deck were amazing. As others have said, the ceiling is low, my son is 6'3 but we managed just fine. I would suggest staying here to most anyone as it is a unique way to see and explore Paris.