Rhone River Cruises
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Table of contents
- The best Rhone cruises
- Reviews of Rhone Cruises
- Travel Rhone your way
- Best tour companies
- Popular Rhone Cruise Ships
- Best places to start your adventure
- Discover Rhone tours for every budget
- Rhone tours for every type of group
- Top Rhone travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit
- Contact our Rhone travel experts
- What our customers ask about Rhone River Cruises
The best Rhone cruises
Compiled by
MelissaRhone travel expert at TourRadar
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)
8 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The food is delicious but too much in quantity!”
Alice, traveled in May
The luxurious MS Van Gogh sails from Lyon to Arles, stopping at Tain L'Hermitage's Valrhona chocolate factory and Viviers' smallest cathedral in France. The route winds through the dramatic Ardèche Gorges, leads to Avignon's Papal Palace, and features exceptional dining including Paul Bocuse's renowned restaurant.
Duration 7 days Destinations Lyon, Arles, Avignon, Viviers, Tain-l’Hermitage, Vienne, Collonges Age Range up to 99 year olds Ships MS Van GoghMS MistralMS Rhone PrincessMS Camargue II River Rhone Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From $2,474
24% Off- NZ$1,892You save $582
Viking's luxury ships ply the historic Rhône River, connecting Lyon's culinary capital to Avignon's papal city. Riverside landmarks, wine tastings, and UNESCO sites complement premium accommodations and French gastronomy onboard.
Duration 8 days Destinations Lyon, Vienne, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Avignon, Arles Age Range 18 to 90 year olds Ships Viking LofnViking DellingViking HermodViking HeimdalViking Buri River Rhone Operator Viking Cruises From $6,916
45% Off- NZ$3,779You save $3,136
Viking's premium ships sail the historic Rhône from Avignon to Lyon. River gorges and medieval towns line the route past vineyards. Luxury staterooms, French cuisine, and guided cultural excursions enhance the journey.
Duration 8 days Destinations Avignon, Arles, Viviers, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Lyon Age Range 18 to 90 year olds Ships Viking LofnViking DellingViking HermodViking HeimdalViking Buri River Rhone Operator Viking Cruises From $6,916
38% Off- NZ$4,320You save $2,595
The S.S. Catherine meanders through Rhône-Saône waterways, showcasing Lyon's gastronomy and Roman heritage. The route winds through Burgundy's vineyards to Avignon's papal grandeur, stopping at Viviers and Tain-l'Hermitage. Luxury accommodations and gourmet dining enhance UNESCO site visits.
Duration 8 days Destinations Lyon, Macon, Beaune, Tain-l’Hermitage, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Viviers, Avignon, Pont du Gard, Marseille, Arles Age Range up to 100 year olds Ship S.S. Catherine River Rhone Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From $6,899
10% Off- NZ$6,209You save $690
The Avalon Poetry II sails from Arles to Lyon, showcasing Van Gogh's Provence, Avignon's papal heritage, and Tournon's medieval charm. Panorama Suites offer river views, while gourmet dining and expert-guided shore excursions complete the experience.
Duration 10 days Destinations Arles, Avignon, Viviers, Tain-l’Hermitage, Lyon, Tournus, Chalon sur Saone, Beaune, Dijon, Paris Age Range 8 to 99 year olds Ship Avalon Poetry II River Rhone Operator Avalon Waterways From
10% Off- NZ$8,966+$346 upfront costs
Reviews of Rhone Cruises
- 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 food was amazing, the optional tours were just ok….
- Rhône Route Rendez-Vous 2026
The trip was excellent, even though it was changed due to strikes, we end up doing the Saône instead of the Rhône, the crew, and the whole team did a great job providing us with a memorable trip.
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)
Travel Rhone your way
The Rhone River flows right through some of France's most interesting spots, and our river cruises make the most of it. Lyon serves as the main starting point with 48 different departure dates to choose from, while you can also hop aboard from Arles with its 20 sailings, Nice offering 9 options, and both Avignon and Marseille adding several more choices into the mix. What really sets these trips apart are the little extras - you'll join local chefs in their kitchens to learn family recipes and get invited into historic wine cellars for private tastings, especially around Beaujolais and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Our TourRadar customers often tell us how much they love the onboard experience; the kitchen teams work with fresh local ingredients, and the wine selection brings the best of each region right to your glass.
Select from our extensive range of 108 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Rhone with our expert guides leading the way.
Best tour companies
From what our travelers tell us, each of these river cruise lines has its distinct qualities and quirks. CroisiEurope generally gets good marks from passengers, though we've heard some concerns about meal quality on specific routes. The food isn't bad - it just doesn't always meet expectations for a luxury river cruise.Avalon Waterways does well with their excursion program overall, offering interesting local experiences and guided tours. That said, quite a few of our guests found the Camargue excursion needed more substance - it didn't quite deliver the wild horses and flamingos experience many were hoping for.Scenic maintains beautiful ships with really comfortable cabins, and their crew consistently gets praise for attentive service. The shore excursions are well organized but tend to run on the expensive side compared to other lines - something to factor into your overall budget when booking. Their staff really goes above and beyond though, which helps justify the premium pricing for many guests.Each line has its sweet spot: CroisiEurope works well for value-conscious travelers who don't need elaborate meals, Avalon hits a good middle ground with their excursions program (despite the Camargue feedback), while Scenic caters to those wanting higher-end accommodations and service, provided you're okay with paying extra for excursions.
View operators
Popular Rhone Cruise Ships
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
Scenic Sapphire
330 cruises
Avalon Waterways
Avalon Poetry II
295 cruises
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
Scenic Azure
263 cruises
Evergreen Tours
Emerald Liberté
221 cruises
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
Scenic Gem
213 cruises
Evergreen Tours
Emerald Radiance
171 cruises
Best places to start your adventure
Lyon leads the pack with 48 cruise departures, while Arles handles 20 sailings, Nice offers 9 cruises and both Avignon and Marseille provide several options with 5 and 4 departures. Most people book around 18 days ahead, but you'll want more lead time during peak season, particularly for those gorgeous June and July lavender blooms. Spring cruises in April-May offer pleasant weather and flowering landscapes, while autumn trips in September-October let you catch the wine harvest and golden vineyard views. Summer gives you long days for exploring, though August can get hot and busy with tourists. Winter adds its own charm - especially in December when Christmas markets pop up in the old towns, though you might find some outdoor activities limited by the cooler temperatures.
Discover Rhone tours for every budget
Budget-conscious travelers can pick from several solid Rhone River cruise options running 3-7 days between Lyon and Arles. You get good value with comfortable rooms, tasty meals, local wines and guided tours at the main stops. Our TourRadar customers particularly like getting out to explore - there's walking tours through Avignon, visits to traditional bull farms in the Camargue and jeep rides into the wild spaces. The boats are reliable and well-kept, with clean cabins and nice views from the deck. While the meals are simpler than the high-end cruises, you'll still get to try local dishes and regional wines. It's a great way to experience French culture without spending too much, especially if it's your first river cruise.The luxury cruises really step things up with 7-10 day journeys on premium ships. You're in for some special experiences - private concerts inside Avignon's Papal Palace, art workshops channeling Van Gogh and exclusive wine tastings in medieval castles. The ships feature roomy suites with big windows, your own butler and excellent food showcasing local specialties. TourRadar customers often tell us how much they loved cooking with local chefs at Paul Bocuse's Les Halles de Lyon and dining at his famous Abbaye de Collonges restaurant. These tours also get you private access to historical sites, expert guides and carefully selected cultural experiences throughout Burgundy and Provence.
Rhone luxury tours
Rhone tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
114 tours in RhoneExplore a wide diversity of group tours through Rhone. We have 114 adventures that vary from 3 days to 31 days. With the greatest number of departures in August, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Top Rhone travel itineraries to fit your plans
Seven-day trips between Lyon and Arles or Avignon let you really settle into river life. You'll get to dine at Paul Bocuse's Abbaye de Collonges and sample local specialties at Les Halles market in Lyon. The trips include night walks through medieval Viviers, trips into the limestone Ardèche Gorges and also visits to the Cité du Chocolat in Tain l'Hermitage. While TourRadar customers rave about the food on board, some mention that shore excursions can mean longer bus rides than they expected. These week-long cruises work perfectly for food lovers, with plenty of chances to try Clairette de Die sparkling wine and browse authentic Provençal markets.
Ten-day journeys mix river cruising with land stays, usually adding two nights in Paris or along the French Riviera. You'll dive deeper into local culture - try your hand at painting like Van Gogh in Arles or explore Lyon's secret traboules passages with expert guides. Our travelers tell us they love having scheduled activities plus enough free time to wander places like Nice's old quarter or Paris's artsy Montmartre on their own. The trips include some special touches too - you might catch talks about WWII resistance movements while sailing or taste local cheeses in old Burgundy castles.
Don't miss out on visiting:
Marseille, Arles, Avignon, Chateauneuf du Pape, Viviers, Lyon, Beaune, Lake Geneva, Geneva, Montreux, Gstaad, Lausanne
See all toursDemographics
Rhône River cruises give couples plenty of ways to spend quality time together. You can paint in Van Gogh's footsteps around Arles, discover hidden wine cellars and learn French cooking at Les Halles de Lyon. Our TourRadar customers often mention how much they loved the evening concerts at Avignon's Papal Palace and dinners at Paul Bocuse's restaurants. The ships come with comfortable cabins and panoramic windows - many couples tell us they spent hours on their private balconies just watching France drift by. There's a nice mix of guided activities and free time, so you can dive into Roman history, try local foods or explore Provence's art scene at your own pace.Our Rhône cruises keep young travelers moving with bike rides through Lyon, vineyard hikes in Tain l'Hermitage and truffle hunting alongside local farmers and their dogs. You'll get creative in Arles with painting workshops, ride vintage steam trains through gorges and find your way through Lyon's traboules - these old hidden passages are full of history. TourRadar customers really enjoy the wine and chocolate sessions at Château de Tournon, plus there's good entertainment on board each evening. If you like staying active while getting to know French culture, you'll find hiking, cycling and walking tours at most stops along the way.Seniors can explore the Rhône in comfort without missing out on any experiences. The ships have elevators and easy access throughout, while tours come with flexible activity options. You might choose a gentle walk through Viviers, take a coach tour of the Ardèche Gorges or relax with wine tasting in Beaujolais. Our TourRadar customers often mention how well the crew looks after everyone and the quality of French food on board. The cultural visits - Roman theaters, medieval abbeys and historic markets - move at a comfortable pace. You'll get guided tours and also free time to explore independently, with options to join more active excursions when you feel like it.
- Solo Travelers86 tours
- Couples84 tours
- Seniors (50+)78 tours
Best time to visit
- Summer 2025
The Rhône river cruises shine brightest in summer, when the long days let you pack in plenty of authentic experiences. Guests join intimate cooking workshops at Les Halles de Lyon, and savor exclusive tastings at historic wine cellars across Beaujolais and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. TourRadar customers consistently highlight how well the tours balance structured activities with free time - you'll explore Arles' ancient Roman sites with expert guides in the morning, then wander Lyon's secret traboules passages at your leisure in the afternoon. The carefully crafted routes make the most of summer's extended daylight, mixing cultural gems like private concerts in Avignon's grand Papal Palace with visits to traditional Camargue bull farms. Special touches elevate these journeys, including dinners at Paul Bocuse's renowned Abbaye de Collonges and sweet treats at the Cité du Chocolat in Tain L'Hermitage. While August sees the heaviest tourist traffic, our travelers mention that the professional crews handle the peak season with practiced ease and also maintain excellent service throughout.
- 20 tours
- popular 24 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
Autumn Rhône cruises showcase the wine harvest in full swing, with special tours through Beaujolais and Châteauneuf-du-Pape during the vendange season. Our TourRadar customers particularly enjoy experiencing the golden vineyard views and getting hands-on with grape picking activities alongside local vintners. The cruises offer exclusive access to historic wine cellars, where you'll learn about production techniques and taste newly pressed juice, as it begins its journey to becoming wine. Beyond the vineyards, these autumn sailings take you through Lyon's traboules to Paul Bocuse's Les Halles market, rich with seasonal mushrooms and game. You can join truffle hunting expeditions near Grignan with farmers and their dogs, perfect timing as the black diamonds emerge in the cooling soil. The itineraries include wonderful cultural touches too - painting workshops in Arles, when the light is particularly clear, and private concerts in Avignon's Papal Palace during quiet autumn evenings.
- popular 20 tours
- 19 tours
- November 2025 15 tours
- Spring 2026
Spring offers ideal weather for discovering the Rhône Valley - temperatures are just right for being outside and you'll find fewer people at main attractions. The cruises make good use of the season with bike rides through Lyon's old quarters and guided walks up to Mount Pipet near Vienne. There are special spring activities like going truffle hunting with local farmers and their dogs around Grignan, or joining painting sessions in Arles when the light is particularly clear. Our TourRadar customers really enjoy the springtime wine tastings in Beaujolais, where they learn about vineyard work just as the vines start to wake up. The cooking classes are excellent this time of year too, using fresh ingredients from Les Halles de Lyon to create traditional Provençal dishes.
- 19 tours
- popular 21 tours
Contact our Rhone travel experts
Hannah
Expert in Rhone at TourRadar
Hannah is one of our seasoned Rhone Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Rhone tours answered!
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+64 4888 0182What our customers ask about Rhone River Cruises
How can you immerse yourself in authentic French culture while cruising the Rhône?
You'll find some really amazing cultural experiences in the Rhône Valley that let you dive right into French traditions. Head to Grignan where you can join a local farmer and their specially trained dog hunting for truffles it's such a uniquely Provençal thing to do. When you're in Lyon don't miss trying your hand at silk painting the city's been famous for silk since way back in the 1400s. The local markets are absolutely fantastic especially Les Halles de Lyon where you can browse and taste alongside locals picking up regional specialties like their amazing sausages and cheeses.
Which hidden gems should you explore along the Rhône?
The traboules in Lyon are fascinating these secret passageways from the 4th century give you this amazing peek into the city's hidden past. You'll love exploring Viviers it's like stepping into a medieval time capsule people often call it an open-air museum. Make sure to visit Oingt up in the Beaujolais region it's part of the Land of Golden Stones and offers these incredible views plus fantastic local wines. TourRadar travelers always mention how these spots feel so authentic and really let you experience genuine French life.
Where can you find the best local food specialties?
Lyon's definitely earned its reputation as France's food capital and you'll find out why at Les Halles de Lyon where the local sausages and cheeses are just incredible. You've got to try traditional bouchon cuisine in Lyon too it's hearty authentic and exactly what local families have been eating for generations. In Arles you can learn all about olive oil production before tasting some of the region's finest. Don't leave without trying Montélimar's famous nougat they've been making it since the 1600s and grab some orange blossom fougasse in Aigues-Mortes it's absolutely delicious.