Flying Water Taxis Will Glide Down the River Seine in Paris This Summer

seabubble flying water taxis paris france seine river technology travel transport

This summer, standard boats won't be the only way to travel down Paris' scenic River Seine. Once SeaBubble, the world's first “flying” water taxi, sets sail, visitors to the City of Light will be able to float not on the water's surface, but above it!

Designed by Alain Thébault and Anders Bringdal, the new vehicles will offer a futuristic alternative to standard, street-traveling cabs and shared water taxis. Due to special, submerged “wings” hidden below the water, they are able to “fly” a few inches above the surface. With fares comparable to Uber, each SeaBubble will seat 5 people (for now, this includes a driver) and will be available for hire at special docks along the river. SeaBubble taxis will be powered by electricity, making them an eco-friendly transport option. Since they will gracefully glide through the air at a maximum speed of 30 km/hour, they will be refreshingly silent and generate no waves.

Given its green nature and overall efficiency, Anne Hidalgo, Paris' mayor, is on board with the SeaBubble concept. “I really believe in the development of river transport,” she said. “Most of the world’s big cities were built on riverbanks, an advantage we have to use to reduce our reliance on polluting cars.” Futuristic and eco-friendly, the SeaBubble is the latest craze in convenient conveyance.

This is the SeaBubble, a flying water taxi that will debut on Paris' River Seine this summer.

seabubble flying water taxis paris france seine river technology travel transport

Including the driver, it will fit 5 people.

seabubble flying water taxis paris france seine river technology travel transport

You will be able to hire one at special docks along the river.

seabubble flying water taxis paris france seine river technology travel transport

It's a green solution to city transport.

seabubble flying water taxis paris france seine river technology travel transport

SeaBubble: Website | Facebook | Twitter
h/t: [Messy Nessy Chic, The Connexion]

All images via SeaBubble.

Kelly Richman-Abdou

Kelly Richman-Abdou is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. An art historian living in Paris, Kelly was born and raised in San Francisco and holds a BA in Art History from the University of San Francisco and an MA in Art and Museum Studies from Georgetown University. When she’s not writing, you can find Kelly wandering around Paris, whether she’s leading a tour (as a guide, she has been interviewed by BBC World News America and France 24) or simply taking a stroll with her husband and two tiny daughters.
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