France Tours from Lyon
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10 best France tour packages from Lyon
Compiled by
MelissaFrance travel expert at TourRadar
- Gastronomic and wine tour of France
- Burgundy & Provence (2026) (Lyon to Arles, 2026)
- Spectacular South of France 2026
- Idyllic Rhône 2026|2027 - 8 Days (from Lyon to Nice)
- Cruise and Hikes: The Rhône and the Saône Reveal the Richness of Their Terroirs (port-to-port cruise)
- Discover the fabulous world of vineyards and wine, exceptional terroirs of the Rhône and Saône (port-to-port cruise)
- Cruising the Rhone & Picturesque Provence
- A Christmas in Provence (port-to-port cruise)
- Sensations of Lyon & Provence with Nice 2026
- Provençal New Year's Eve in the Rhône Valley (port-to-port cruise) - VAN GOGH II
Gastronomic and wine tour of France
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“We had the opportunity to see places that are not so popular with tourists. I'm looking forward to my next trip.”
David, traveled in June
Duration 8 days Destinations Lyon, Beaujolais, Villefranche-sur-Saone, Belleville, Cluny, Macon, Dijon, Beaune, Meursault Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Worldee From
- NZ$1,243
The river route meanders south from Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport through France's wine regions to Arles. This 8-day voyage covers 612km along the Rhône and Saône rivers, visiting Beaune, Tain-l'Hermitage, Viviers, and Avignon before concluding with a transfer to Marseille Airport.
Duration 8 days Destinations Lyon, Macon, Beaune, Tain-l’Hermitage, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Viviers, Avignon, Pont du Gard, Marseille, Arles Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From $6,925
25% Off- NZ$5,193You save $1,732
Duration 11 days Destinations Lyon, Macon, Vienne, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Avignon, Arles, Viviers Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $8,775
32% Off- NZ$5,975You save $2,800
Starting in Lyon with embarkation on Scenic Sapphire, the journey winds through France's gastronomic heartland to Nice. Key stops include Perouges' medieval village, Beaujolais wine region, and UNESCO-listed Avignon's Papal Palace, covering 461km along the Rhône River.
Duration 8 days Destinations Lyon, Perouges, Macon, Beaujolais, Cluny, Vienne, Saint-Romain, Viviers, Avignon, GrignanSee all destinations Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $7,710
17% Off- NZ$6,410You save $1,300
Cruise and Hikes: The Rhône and the Saône Reveal the Richness of Their Terroirs (port-to-port cruise)
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers
Duration 8 days Destinations Lyon, Macon, Vienne, Avignon, Arles, Viviers, Tournon-sur-Rhone Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
17% Off- NZ$3,729
Duration 8 days Destinations Lyon, Macon, Vienne, Avignon, Arles, Viviers, Tournon-sur-Rhone Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
17% Off- NZ$4,162
Picturesque French countryside unfolds along the Saône and Rhône rivers from Lyon. The 8-day route features Chalon-sur-Saône, medieval Beaune with its Hotel Dieu, and UNESCO-listed sites in Arles, with stops in Viviers and Avignon.
Duration 8 days Destinations Lyon, Chalon sur Saone, Macon, Belleville, Trevoux, Viviers, Arles, Avignon Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Just You From $7,292
8% Off- NZ$6,713You save $579
The MS Rhône Princess glides through the Rhône Valley on this 5-day cruise from Lyon to Avignon, Arles, and Tain-l'Hermitage. The 350km route showcases medieval villages and historic ports along France's celebrated wine regions before returning to Lyon.
Duration 5 days Destinations Lyon, Avignon, Arles, Alpilles, Tain-l’Hermitage Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From $1,850
15% Off- NZ$1,572You save $277
Duration 11 days Destinations Lyon, Macon, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Viviers, Avignon, Arles, Nice Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Emerald Cruises From $15,879
44% Off- NZ$8,961You save $6,918
The 5-day route boards at Lyon at 3:00 PM aboard MS Van Gogh II, sailing through iconic French cities along the Rhône River. Visits include Avignon, Tain-L'Hermitage, and Vienne, before returning to Lyon for a spectacular New Year's Eve celebration.
Duration 5 days Destinations Lyon, Arles, Avignon, Vienne Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
44% Off- NZ$2,678
What people love about France Tours from Lyon
The cruise itself was very good however it is structured around the passengers doing tours which are an extra charge. The boat stops to let passengers off for tours then sets sail again to the next port where they meet them. Because we didn’t book tours, several times we were the only passengers on board between stops. We would have preferred a cruise that stopped for a reasonable time so we could explore on foot. The food and service onboard was exceptional. Our group of 4 were the only English speaking passengers which made it very hard to get to know others however the assistant cruise directors Adam and Valentine work extremely hard to include us and translate and were happy to practice their English with us. A lot of the Rhone is lovely but this cruise also travels through a lot of industrial areas.
A trip to admire the beautiful scenery of the Rhône valley (port-to-port cruise)
What our customers ask about France Tours from Lyon
What is the typical length of river cruises starting in Lyon, France?
River cruises departing from Lyon generally run between 6 to 10 days with most travelers choosing 7 or 8-day journeys along the Rhône and Saône rivers. These waterways connect travelers to historic destinations such as Avignon Arles and Viviers. The Emerald Cruises' "Sensations of Lyon and Provence" spans 10 days beginning at Lyon's riverfront near Place Bellecour while AmaWaterways offers an 8-day "Colors of Provence" route. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The 8-day cruise gave us the perfect amount of time to discover both the cultural and culinary highlights of the region."
What are the most popular departing locations within Lyon for river cruises?
Three main departure points serve Lyon's river cruise operations: Quai Claude Bernard in the city center near Place Bellecour Port de Lyon Édouard Herriot in the southern district and the Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport transfer point. Premium vessels like the S.S. Catherine use Quai Claude Bernard while ships such as MS Van Gogh and MS Rhone Princess operate from Port Herriot. According to a TourRadar traveler review "Boarding at Quai Claude Bernard was very convenient just steps from Hotel Carlton Lyon and the city center."
What are the best times of year to start a river cruise from Lyon?
Lyon river cruises operate best from April through October with the busiest period falling between May and September. Spring departures showcase the Rhône Valley's flowering landscapes while autumn trips offer pleasant temperatures and wine harvest activities. Beaujolais region visits are especially popular during fall grape picking. As one TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The weather was perfect for exploring both on and off the ship in September."
What are the main highlights to explore in Lyon before embarking?
Key pre-cruise attractions in Lyon include the UNESCO-recognized Old Town (Vieux Lyon) with its distinctive traboules passageways the hilltop Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière and the bustling Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse market. Convenient accommodation options near these sites include the Sofitel Lyon Bellecour and InterContinental Lyon Hotel Dieu. One TourRadar traveler shared: "Everyone should see Lyon if they have the opportunity - with its old town narrow alleyways and over 200 illuminated sights."
What kind of culinary experiences are included in tours starting from Lyon?
Lyon's reputation as France's food capital shapes the culinary offerings on these tours. Experiences range from exploring Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse market to wine tastings in Beaujolais and meals at traditional Lyonnaise bouchon restaurants. Programs often feature cooking demonstrations cheese sampling olive tastings and special events like dining with Top Chef finalist Fabien Morreale. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The food experience starting in Lyon was exceptional - from market tours to wine tastings in Beaujolais and the unforgettable dinner at a traditional bouchon where we sampled authentic Lyonnaise specialties."
What are the most popular destinations included in tours starting from Lyon?
Routes from Lyon connect travelers to Provence's notable cities: Avignon's Papal Palace Arles' Roman amphitheater and medieval Viviers. The itineraries include stops in riverside towns like Tournon and Vienne plus visits to wine regions such as Beaujolais and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. As mentioned by a TourRadar traveler: "The Rhône valley offers spectacular landscapes and the cruise stops at fascinating historic towns though some industrial areas are also part of the journey."
How far in advance should I book a river cruise starting in Lyon?
Booking patterns indicate securing a Lyon river cruise 6-12 months ahead works best particularly for peak season (April-October) sailings. Companies like AmaWaterways and Emerald Cruises reward early bookings with discounts. Most travelers book 8-10 months before departure especially for summer trips when preferred cabins fill quickly. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "We booked our July cruise 10 months in advance and were glad we did as the preferred cabin categories were already filling up quickly."