France River Cruises
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10 best river cruises through France
Compiled by
SteffFrance travel expert at TourRadar
- Treasures of Burgundy and Provence: Rhône & Saône (Lyon - Lyon)
- Colors of Provence 2026
- France | Burgundy & Provence | Rhône & Saône Bike & Boat
- Rogue on the Rhône: A Legendary Voyage with Graham McTavish with 2 nights in Paris.
- Impressions of the Seine & Paris 2026
- Lyon & Provence Avignon to Lyon
- Rogue on the Rhône: A Legendary Voyage with Graham McTavish
- Burgundy & Provence (Northbound) 2026
- Paris & Normandy 2026
- Burgundy & Provence (Southbound) 2026
Duration 8 days Destinations Lyon, Macon, Chalon sur Saone, Tournus, Avignon, Arles, Châteauneuf-du-Rhône, Le Pouzin Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, German Operator Lueftner Cruises From $2,845
36% Off- NZ$1,821You save $1,024
Colors of Provence 2026
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The food, shoreside tours, crew- everything- was superlative. The ship was sparkling clean and cabins were cleaned daily.”
Jean-Pierre, traveled in May
The AmaKristina, featuring luxury staterooms with French balconies, sails France's scenic Rhône River from Lyon's culinary scene to Arles' artistic heritage, with visits to historic ports like Tournon and Viviers. Regional wine tastings and gourmet dining at the Chef's Table enhance the voyage.
Duration 8 days Destinations Lyon, Vienne, Collonges, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Viviers, Avignon, Arles Age Range Ages 12+ Operator AmaWaterways From
36% Off- NZ$7,250+$442 upfront costs
A-ROSA STELLA reveals the Rhône Valley's treasures along France's storied waterways. The journey features Avignon's Papal Palace, Arles' Roman amphitheater, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards, complemented by gourmet dining, spa facilities, and panoramic viewing decks.
Duration 8 days Destinations Lyon, Macon, Cluny, Chalon sur Saone, Tournus, Avignon, Tain-l’Hermitage, Chateauneuf du Pape, Arles, TarasconSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Terranova Touristik From $8,184
5% Off- NZ$7,774You save $410
Duration 10 days Destinations Arles, Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhone, Avignon, Viviers, Tain-l’Hermitage, Lyon, Paris Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Avalon Waterways From
5% Off- NZ$10,521+$409 upfront costs
The AmaDante glides along France's Seine River from Paris to Le Havre. Visitors can stroll through Monet's Giverny gardens, sample local cider at Norman farms, and visit UNESCO-listed ports. French balcony views complement regional cuisine with unlimited wine selections.
Duration 8 days Destinations Paris, Mantes-la-Jolie, La Roche-Guyon, Vernon, Rouen, Caudebec-en-Caux, Le Havre Age Range Ages 12+ Operator AmaWaterways From
5% Off- NZ$8,135+$442 upfront costs
The Rhône River flows from Avignon to Lyon aboard Viking ships. Viviers' medieval quarter, the scenic Train de l'Ardèche, and Vienne's Roman ruins highlight the journey. French cuisine, regional wines, and stunning river views complement luxury staterooms.
Duration 8 days Destinations Avignon, Arles, Viviers, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Lyon Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Viking Cruises From
5% Off- NZ$6,420
Duration 8 days Destinations Arles, Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhone, Avignon, Viviers, Tain-l’Hermitage, Lyon Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Avalon Waterways From
5% Off- NZ$8,488+$409 upfront costs
Duration 8 days Destinations Arles, Avignon, Viviers, Tain-l’Hermitage, Lyon, Tournus, Chalon sur Saone Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Avalon Waterways From
5% Off- NZ$8,135+$409 upfront costs
Luxury ships AmaLyra or AmaDante traverse the Seine River from Vernon to Honfleur's harbor. French balcony views frame the journey while gourmet dining with regional wines, multiple excursion options, and a sun-deck whirlpool provide comfort.
Duration 8 days Destinations Paris, Les Andelys, Le Havre, Rouen, Vernon Age Range Ages 12+ Operator AmaWaterways From
5% Off- NZ$6,896+$442 upfront costs
The luxurious Avalon Poetry II glides through France's iconic waterways, with Panorama Suites offering wall-to-wall windows. Lyon's gastronomic markets, Avignon's Palace of the Popes, and Arles' Van Gogh heritage await. Chef-prepared regional cuisine and daily guided excursions enhance the voyage.
Duration 8 days Destinations Saint-Jean-de-Losne, Macon, Lyon, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Viviers, Avignon, Arles, Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhone Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Avalon Waterways From
5% Off- NZ$7,958+$409 upfront costs
River Cruises in France Reviews
Ship MS Van Gogh Staff friendly & very efficient. Many languages catered for. Ship decor very good Cabin Main deck very nice, cleaned daily and great air con. Bathroom clean and modern, small but functional. Beds very comfy. Meals and food quality exceptional. Chef Lyne is amazing and has to match the excursion to the Paul Bocuse restaurant in Lyon on the first night, which in fact in my opinion she does. Breakfast is a buffet, food varied and good quality, omelettes can be ordered. Lunch and Dinner - 3 courses, varied day by day and extremely well waited on. Wines on offer are excellent. On board entertainment is fun but you are not pressured to joining in. Stop locations are well thought out and the locations are all memorable. Optional excursions are also well thought out and the guides well selected for their knowledge. I highly recommend the excursion to Les Gorges d'Ardeche, it a 4.5 hour bus ride with a few stops but the views are phenomenal and well worth the trip. The whole cruise was exceptional and a large part is down to the crew of the MS Van Gogh who work extremely hard and are multi functional, always with a smile on their faces. I would personally like to thank the crew of MS Van Gogh for giving me a very memorable vacation.Keep it up ladies & gentlemen. I can't think of any way to improve my experience and that doesn't happen very often.
All the must-see sites on the Rhône between Lyon, Provence, and the Camargue with a dinner at Paul Bocuse's Abbaye de Collonges Restaurant OFFERED (port-to-port cruise) (including Vienne)
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 River Cruises
What are the main rivers and regions covered by France river cruises?
France's river cruise network spans four key waterways: the Seine Rhône Saône and the Bordeaux region's Garonne and Dordogne rivers. Seine cruises connect Paris with Normandy taking passengers through historic Rouen Les Andelys and Monet's Giverny. Southern routes along the Rhône and Saône showcase Provence and Burgundy with stops in food-centric Lyon medieval Avignon and artsy Arles. The Bordeaux routes weave through celebrated wine territories including Saint-Émilion Médoc and Cadillac. As noted by a TourRadar traveler: "Our Seine cruise from Paris to Normandy offered the perfect mix of city countryside and coastal experiences with each region having its own distinct character and charm."
What is the typical length and price range for France river cruises?
Standard France river cruises last 7-8 days with prices starting at $1,276 and reaching $5,799 USD. Budget-conscious travelers might consider CroisiEurope's 5-day Loire Valley journey while high-end operators like AmaWaterways and Uniworld offer 8-day Seine or Bordeaux trips with premium services. Ships such as the S.S. Joie de Vivre and AmaCello provide accommodations ranging from standard rooms to deluxe suites featuring French balconies. As noted by a TourRadar traveler: "The ship is absolutely beautiful the food was consistently great and the staff couldn't be nicer and more accommodating."
What's the best time of year for a river cruise in France?
River cruising in France peaks from April through October. Spring fills Giverny's gardens with color while summer brings extended daylight perfect for evening cruises past Paris landmarks. Fall attracts wine enthusiasts to Bordeaux and Burgundy during harvest season. Major operators focus on these months though some vessels run in March and November. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "September was perfect - warm days for excursions but cool evenings for dining on deck."
What are the typical shore excursion options on France river cruises?
French river cruise excursions blend local culture history and food experiences. Programs often feature walking tours through Avignon's Papal Palace bicycle rides along riverbanks wine sampling sessions at estates like Château de la Brède and visits to regional markets. More active guests can hike Burgundy's Cirque du Bout du Monde or cycle through vineyard paths. As one TourRadar traveler noted on their AmaWaterways cruise: "The variety of excursions was impressive - from e-bike rides through Provence's lavender fields to private tastings at family-owned wineries and guided tours of Van Gogh's Arles."
What is the best French river cruise for wine enthusiasts?
Wine-focused travelers should consider Bordeaux or Burgundy routes. Bordeaux itineraries explore Saint-Émilion and Médoc with visits to distinguished wine estates. Burgundy cruises access the Côte d'Or vineyards and Beaune's historic wine cellars. Select vessels like AmaWaterways' AmaKristina employ wine experts for onboard education. A TourRadar traveler who sailed with Avalon shared: "The Bordeaux cruise was perfect for wine lovers - we visited five different wine regions and had exclusive tastings with local vintners including a memorable visit to Château Lafite Rothschild."
What are the main embarkation points for France river cruises?
Major departure points include Paris for Seine voyages Lyon or Chalon-sur-Saône for Rhône/Saône trips and Bordeaux for Garonne/Dordogne sailings. These cities connect to international flights and France's high-speed rail network. Ships dock centrally with Paris vessels often mooring near the Eiffel Tower at Port de Grenelle or Port Javel Bas. A TourRadar traveler noted: "Embarking in Paris was incredibly convenient - we could walk from our hotel to the ship which was docked right in the heart of the city."