France River Cruises
Paris and Normandy on the Seine, Provence and Lyon on the Rhône, and the great wine country of Bordeaux — sail France with a specialist who knows its rivers, food and vineyards.
France is a river cruiser’s dream, and it splits into three unforgettable regions. The Seine links Paris with Monet’s Giverny, medieval Rouen and the D-Day beaches of Normandy. The Rhône and Saône run through the gastronomic capital of Lyon into the heart of Provence — Avignon, Arles and the vineyards of Côtes du Rhône. And the Gironde, Garonne and Dordogne around Bordeaux are pure wine country. We help you pick the river, line, ship, cabin and season, and get you the best cruise price free from a true cruise specialist.
Why cruise the France?
Three great regions
The Seine (Paris & Normandy), the Rhône (Lyon & Provence) and Bordeaux’s rivers — each a different France.
Food & wine at the center
French river cruises lean hard into gastronomy and regional wines, with tastings and market visits ashore.
Round-trip from one city
Seine cruises round-trip from Paris and Bordeaux cruises round-trip from Bordeaux — simple to plan and fly to.
History within reach
Giverny, Rouen, the Normandy landing beaches, the Palais des Papes in Avignon and Roman Arles, all close to the dock.
Seine, Rhône or Bordeaux?
Choose the Seine for Paris plus Normandy and Impressionist landscapes; the Rhône for Lyon’s food scene and sun-drenched Provence; Bordeaux for a compact loop through some of the world’s most famous vineyards.
All three are typically week-long round-trips, easy to combine with extra nights in Paris or a Mediterranean add-on. We’ll match the region and line to your tastes.
Many Rhône sailings begin or end in Avignon; for a night beside the Palais des Papes, compare Avignon hotels.
If the Rhône leaves you wanting more of the south, stay on for Roman Arles, the Pont du Gard and the café-lined Cours Mirabeau in Aix with Provence hotels and guesthouses.
France river cruising in pictures
Ready to plan your France river cruise?
Tell us which region of France, your dates and preferred line, and we’ll get you the best cruise price free from true France river cruise specialists, with no obligation.
Get your best France cruise price freeFrequently Asked Questions
Which France river cruise is best?
The Seine (Paris–Normandy) is the classic; the Rhône (Lyon–Provence) is best for food and wine; Bordeaux is a compact wine-country loop. Many travelers do one, then return for another.
When should I go?
April–June and September–October are ideal; summer is warm and lively. Bordeaux and Rhône harvest sailings in September–October are especially popular with wine lovers.
Do France cruises include wine?
Yes — regional wines are typically included with lunch and dinner, and most lines add vineyard visits and tastings ashore.
Which lines cruise France?
CroisiEurope has the widest French program; AmaWaterways, Viking, Avalon, Scenic, Uniworld, Emerald and Riviera also sail the Seine, Rhône and/or Bordeaux.
How do I get a quote?
Request your best cruise price free from a true cruise specialist, with no obligation, and compare regions, lines, ships, cabins and dates.
