Rhone Cruises from Lyon
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10 best Rhone river cruises from Lyon
Compiled by
MelissaLyon travel expert at TourRadar
- Christmas in Provence and the Rhône Valley (port-to-port cruise)
- 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 (including Vienne)
- Sensations of Lyon and Provence & Aix-en-Provence (from Lyon to Marseille)
- Cruising the Rhone & Picturesque Provence
- Romantic Rhône Lyon → Lyon (2025)
- Idyllic Rhône 2025|2026 - 8 Days
- Active & Discovery on the Rhône (Southbound) 2025
- Idyllic Rhône 2024|2025 - 8 Days (from Lyon to Nice)
- Romantic Rhône Lyon → Lyon (2025)
- Burgundy & Provence (2026) (Lyon to Arles, 2026)
Duration 4 days Destinations Lyon, Montelimar, Viviers, Avignon Age Range 2 to 5 year olds River Rhone Operator Authentic Africa From
- NZ$1,567
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 (including Vienne)
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers
The MS Van Gogh sails from Lyon's historic Vieux Lyon to Avignon. The 363-kilometer route passes Tain L'Hermitage's vineyards, through Ardèche's dramatic gorges, returning to Lyon's gastronomic heart.
Duration 7 days Destinations Lyon, Arles, Avignon, Viviers, Tain-l’Hermitage, Vienne, Collonges Age Range up to 99 year olds Ships MS MistralMS Rhone PrincessMS Camargue II River Rhone Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
- NZ$3,736
The Rhône-Saône confluence in Lyon marks the starting point, where guests board the Emerald Liberté. The route winds through Tournon's wine country and Avignon's historic center, covering 516km of Rhône River landscapes before concluding in Marseille after visiting Aix-en-Provence's boulevards.
Duration 10 days Destinations Lyon, Beaune, Viviers, Pont du Gard, Chateauneuf du Pape, Avignon, Arles, Les Baux de Provence, Aix-En-Provence, Marseille Age Range up to 90 year olds River Rhone Operator Emerald Cruises From $16,641
56% Off- NZ$7,400You save $9,241
The voyage begins at Lyon's historic port, heading north on the Saône before joining the Rhône southward. The 300-kilometer route includes visits to riverside gems like Chalon-sur-Saône, Mâcon, and Viviers before returning to Lyon.
Duration 8 days Destinations Lyon, Chalon sur Saone, Macon, Belleville, Trevoux, Viviers, Arles, Avignon Age Range up to 100 year olds River Rhone Operator Just You From $6,750
6% Off- NZ$6,360You save $391
The MS Van Gogh charts a week-long course from Lyon along the Rhône River. Ports of call include Collonges-au-Mont-d'Or, Tain L'Hermitage, and UNESCO-listed Avignon, with luxury transfers and visits to 6 riverside towns.
Duration 7 days Destinations Lyon, Collonges, Tain-l’Hermitage, Avignon, Arles, Viviers Age Range up to 99 year olds River Rhone Operator Travel Marvel From
6% Off- NZ$4,445
Duration 8 days Destinations Lyon, Macon, Vienne, Viviers, Avignon, Arles, Tarascon, Marseille Age Range up to 99 year olds Ship Scenic Sapphire River Rhone Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $10,044
11% Off- NZ$8,968You save $1,076
The Avalon Poetry II welcomes guests in Lyon for an 8-day southbound adventure, visiting 8 ports along the Rhône. The route passes through Lock Bollène to Avignon, includes Gorges du Doux rail-bike exploration, and ends in Arles with Marseille airport connections.
Duration 8 days Destinations Lyon, Tain-l’Hermitage, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Viviers, Bollene, Avignon, Arles, Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhone Age Range 8 to 99 year olds Ship Avalon Poetry II River Rhone Operator Avalon Waterways From
11% Off- NZ$7,266+$347 upfront costs
The Scenic Sapphire sets sail from Lyon's historic quarter along the Rhône River. Memorable stops include Vienne's Roman theatre, Viviers' medieval streets, and Avignon's Pope's Palace before concluding in Nice, featuring scenic sailing through Provence's wine country.
Duration 8 days Destinations Lyon, Macon, Vienne, Avignon, Arles, Nice Age Range up to 99 year olds Ship Scenic Sapphire River Rhone Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From
11% Off- NZ$7,295
Duration 7 days Destinations Lyon, Collonges, Tain-l’Hermitage, Avignon, Arles, Viviers Age Range up to 99 year olds River Rhone Operator Travel Marvel From
11% Off- NZ$8,014
Airport transfers bring guests to Lyon's S.S. Catherine for a cruise along Rhône and Saône rivers through Burgundy's wine country. The 8-day route flows south via Mâcon, Viviers, and Avignon, ending in Arles with Marseille Airport transfers, showcasing key UNESCO sites.
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
What people love about Rhone Cruises from Lyon
- 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)
We enjoyed the cruise, staff are friendly and helpful! The room is good. The food is delicious but too much in quantity!
Wonderful trip, clean boat, satisfied our needs. Great food, excellent service all round. There were 5 Australians and they sat us together so we could share our experiences in Aussie English!
A trip to admire the beautiful scenery of the Rhône valley (port-to-port cruise)
What our customers ask about Rhone Cruises from Lyon
What is the typical length of tours starting in Lyon along the Rhone River?
Rhone River tours from Lyon generally run between 6-15 days with 8-day trips being the most common choice among travelers. CroisiEurope River Cruises offers an 8-day "From Burgundy to the Camarge" route starting at 2,902 USD while Emerald Cruises runs a 10-day "Sensations of Lyon and Provence" experience for 10,375 USD. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The 8-day length was perfect to explore both Lyon and the charming towns along the Rhone."
What are the best months for starting a Rhone River tour from Lyon?
The most favorable time for Rhone River tours spans from April to October with the busiest period running June through September. These summer months bring consistent sunshine and comfortable temperatures. Viking Cruises schedules 8-9 departures each month during July and August while Emerald Cruises concentrates on summer sailings. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "We chose September for our CroisiEurope cruise and found perfect temperatures and smaller crowds than peak summer."
What type of accommodation can I expect at the start of the tour in Lyon?
Accommodations in Lyon range from modern river cruise ships to high-end hotels. Vessels like the MS Camargue II and Viking Longships feature well-appointed cabins with large windows and French balconies. Hotel options include the 5-star InterContinental Lyon - Hotel Dieu in the historic district or the 4-star Mercure Lyon Centre Château Perrache near the train station. A TourRadar traveler commented: "Our cabin on the Avalon Poetry II exceeded expectations with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and stunning views of Lyon."
What transportation options are available from Lyon Airport to tour starting points?
Getting from Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport to your tour's starting point is straightforward. Many operators like Viking Cruises and Emerald Cruises include free transfers with their air packages. The Rhônexpress tram connects the airport to Lyon Part-Dieu station in 30 minutes. Common meeting spots include the Hotel Carlton Lyon near Bellecour Square and the cruise docks in the Confluence area.
What are the most popular destinations visited after leaving Lyon?
After departing Lyon travelers explore medieval Viviers the historic Papal Palace in Avignon and Arles' Roman architecture and Van Gogh sites. Routes often include stops at Tournon/Tain-l'Hermitage for wine experiences and Port St. Louis to discover the Camargue region. A TourRadar traveler noted: "It was a great gastronomique experience. We especially enjoyed the trip to Camargue and Gorges de l'Ardèche."
What kinds of optional activities are available during the Lyon portion?
Lyon offers additional activities like hands-on cooking classes wine tours in Beaujolais vineyards and evening river excursions. Avalon Waterways features a "Culinary Walk" through food districts while CroisiEurope presents evening entertainment options. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The optional evening cruise along the Saône River gave us amazing views of Lyon's illuminated landmarks and was worth the extra cost."
What are the must-see attractions included in the first days of tours starting in Lyon?
Opening days focus on Lyon's UNESCO heritage sites including the Old Town Notre-Dame de Fourvière Basilica and the historic traboules passageways. Tours highlight the city's food culture with stops at Les Halles market and local bouchon restaurants. As a TourRadar traveler mentioned from the Emerald Cruises tour: "The guided walking tour through Lyon's hidden passageways and the evening light show at Notre-Dame were absolute highlights of our first day."