Rhone Cruises from Lyon
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10 best Rhone river cruises from Lyon
Compiled by

MelissaLyon travel expert at TourRadar
- Burgundy & Provence (2026) (Lyon to Arles, 2026)
- Idyllic Rhône 2025|2026|2027 - 8 Days
- Cruising the Rhone & Picturesque Provence
- Idyllic Rhône 2026|2027 - 8 Days (from Lyon to Marseille)
- Romantic Rhône Lyon → Lyon (2027)
- Lyon & Provence Lyon to Avignon
- Lyon-Vintage Chic and Gourmet Delights (port-to-port cruise)
- Rhône Route Méditerranée 2026 - A-ROSA LUNA
- Provençal New Year's Eve in the Rhône Valley (port-to-port cruise) - VAN GOGH II
- Rhône Route Rendez-Vous 2026
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 Ages 16+ Ship S.S. Catherine River Rhone Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From
- NZ$6,899
Duration 8 days Destinations Lyon, Macon, Vienne, Viviers, Avignon, Arles, Tarascon, Marseille Age Range Ages 12+ Ship Scenic Sapphire River Rhone Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From
- NZ$8,585
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 Ages 18+ River Rhone Operator Just You From $7,248
8% Off- NZ$6,673You save $575
Journey begins in Lyon's gastronomic quarter, sailing the Rhône River to Marseille. Visit Vienne's Roman theater, Viviers' medieval streets, and Avignon's Pope Palace. Scenic Sapphire covers 445 kilometers over 8 days with 7 port stops.
Duration 8 days Destinations Lyon, Macon, Vienne, Viviers, Avignon, Arles, Tarascon, Marseille Age Range Ages 12+ Ship Scenic Sapphire River Rhone Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From
8% Off- NZ$21,855
Duration 7 days Destinations Lyon, Tain-l’Hermitage, Avignon, Arles, Viviers Age Range Ages 12+ River Rhone Operator Travel Marvel From
8% Off- NZ$5,204+$859 upfront costs
Viking's luxury vessels cover 190 miles of the Rhône from Lyon to Avignon. The route features stops at Vienne, Tournon-sur-Rhône, and Arles, with seamless transfers from Lyon Airport and to Marseille Airport.
Duration 8 days Destinations Lyon, Vienne, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Avignon, Arles Age Range Ages 18+ Ships Viking LofnViking DellingViking HermodViking HeimdalViking Buri River Rhone Operator Viking Cruises From $7,437
45% Off- NZ$4,116You save $3,321
Duration 4 days Destinations Lyon, Beaujolais, Collonges Age Range All Ages Welcome Ship MS Rhone Princess River Rhone Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
45% Off- NZ$1,621
The A-ROSA LUNA departs Lyon's UNESCO Old Town for an eight-day voyage to Port St. Louis. The 184-kilometer journey includes stops at Viviers' medieval quarter, Avignon's papal palace, and Arles' Roman sites, with a return via Tournon.
Duration 8 days Destinations Lyon, Viviers, Avignon, Arles, Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhone, Tournon-sur-Rhone Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Ship A-ROSA LUNA River Rhone Operator A-ROSA From $2,138
15% Off- NZ$1,817You save $321
MS Van Gogh II delivers a 5-day Rhône River experience from Lyon, featuring 4 historic ports. The route winds through Provence to Avignon, Tain-L'Hermitage, and Vienne before returning to Lyon, offering guided tours at each destination.
Duration 5 days Destinations Lyon, Arles, Avignon, Vienne Age Range All Ages Welcome Ship MS Van Gogh River Rhone Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
15% Off- NZ$2,688
A-ROSA LUNA charts a 300-kilometer course from Lyon to Arles over 6 days. Highlights include Viviers' medieval quarter, Avignon's papal palace, and Vienne's Roman theater, with full amenities and expert-led tours.
Duration 6 days Destinations Lyon, Viviers, Arles, Avignon, Vienne Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Ship A-ROSA LUNA River Rhone Operator A-ROSA From $1,619
15% Off- NZ$1,376You save $243
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."




















