French River Cruises

France Rivers Overview

Each French river offers a distinctly different trip. The Seine is the classic introduction, pairing Paris with Monet's Giverny, Rouen and the Normandy coast. The Rhone and Saone flow through Burgundy and Provence, linking Lyon's food scene with Avignon, Arles and the vineyards of the southern Rhone valley. In the southwest, the Garonne and Dordogne explore Bordeaux and its grand chateaux. The Moselle winds through terraced vineyards along the French, Luxembourg and German borders, and the Canal du Midi and Burgundy canals suit small barge trips at a walking-and-cycling pace.
 

Which French River Is Right For You

From cosmopolitan Paris to the glamorous coastal French Riviera to the ancient and beautiful borderlands with Germany, the rivers and waterways of France wind through all corners of this country and offer excellent opportunities for classic European river cruises.

• Seine River - Best for first-time France river travelers, art and history lovers, and anyone who wants Paris plus Normandy. Gentle pace, strong shoulder-season appeal.
• Rhone & Saone Rivers - Best for food and wine, Roman history and Provence scenery. Lyon to Avignon is the signature stretch.
• Bordeaux (Garonne & Dordogne) - Best for serious wine travelers and a more intimate, less-crowded river cruising experience.
• Moselle & Rhine River - Best for vineyard scenery, castles and festive Christmas-market sailings.
• Canal du Midi & Barge Cruises - Best for a small-luxury barge trips, slower pace with plenty of biking and walking the tow-paths and local village visits.

River Cruise vs Barge Cruise in France

France is one of the few places where travelers choose between a full-size river ship and an intimate hotel barge. River ships carry roughly 100 to 190 guests and cover longer distances on the Seine, Rhone and Bordeaux rivers. Hotel barges carry as few as 6 to 24 guests, move slowly along the canals and smaller waterways, and lean into wine, cuisine and cycling. 

When is the best time for a France river cruise?
The season runs roughly April through October, with July and August bringing the warmest weather and biggest crowds. Late spring (April-May) or early fall (September-October) offer a good shoulder-season balance of pleasant weather, thinner crowds, and better value.

Which French river should I cruise – Seine, Rhône or Bordeaux?
Choose the Seine for Paris, Normandy's D-Day beaches, and Monet's Giverny; the Rhône for Provence and Burgundy wine country between Lyon and Arles; and Bordeaux for a shorter, wine-focused cruise through the Médoc and Saint-Émilion vineyards.

What is the difference between a river cruise and a barge cruise?
River cruise ships carry around 100-200 passengers and move at a steady pace to cover more ground, while barges carry as few as 12-24 guests and drift at a fraction of the speed, trading distance covered for a slower, more intimate pace. See our barge cruising page for more.

How long are France river cruises and what is included?
Most run 7 to 15 days, with Bordeaux itineraries often shorter (5-8 days) and Seine or Rhône routes extending longer, especially when paired with a Paris pre/post stay. Rates typically include your cabin, all meals, daily guided excursions, and onboard entertainment, with flights, gratuities, and optional excursions priced separately.

Why should I choose a France cruise?
Cruises are quickly becoming the most popular way to explore Europe, and France is no exception. With options to cruise the Mediterranean, the Rhone River, and the Seine River, you'll be able to see all that France has to offer from the comfort of a cruise ship or riverboat. The advantage to the cruise is that for the all-inclusive price, you will get lodging, meals, and all daily excursions and tours at a tremendous value. Plus, since your hotel is your transportation, you won't have to pack and unpack every time you visit a new city and you will awake each day with wonderful new views of the French countryside right from your cabin window. 

What should I look for on a cruise ship in France?
It all depends on whether you're looking for a ship that explores the coastal regions and Mediterranean or a river ship. The sea-going boats are larger mega-yachts that are often between first class and luxurious. River ships feature fewer amenities due to the size restrictions, but you can count on comfortable cabins, a spacious bar & lounge, and a panoramic sun deck.

Are there 5-star river vessels in France?
Some of our yachts could be considered five-stars, but the river vessels have more confined space constrictions, limiting the amount of social areas and amenities, which means that they generally don't qualify as 5-star vessels. At least not yet – remember that river cruising is a new trend in European tourism, so it's probable that in the next few years, they will debut several world class five star vessels.

Should I get a room with a balcony?
Not necessarily. Some travelers feel that a balcony is a "must" for their cruise experience – if you're in this group, then go for it. Otherwise, consider a room with floor-to-ceiling windows or a sliding glass door that opens up to the fresh air. This will save you considerable money and might even afford you more floor space in your cabin. Plus, you can always go to the sundeck to take in the panoramic views and crisp French air.

What is dining like?
It's no secret that one of the highlights of a French vacation is the cuisine, and our Adventure Life tours are no exception. No matter which part of France you are visiting, you will find gourmet cuisine prepared by local chefs.

Do river cruises ever visit destinations that aren't on the river?
Usually. The truth is, the waterways of France already provide access to some of the best sites, like the Seine River which winds from Paris through Normandy and the Rhone River in the southern part of the country. And French Mediterranean cruises stick to the sea. If there is a destination that is not on the river or sea route, you will dock in the closest port so that you can transfer to the site by luxury coach. 

Will my vessel have WiFi?
You will probably have internet access throughout most of your cruise, but it's possible that your vessel will not be equipped or that you will be out of range at some point in your cruise too. 

What kind of power outlets are there? Will I need a converter?
European plugs are either British style (three flat prongs) or European style (two round prongs), different from the two flat prongs in North America. Power is 220v, not 110v like in North America, but this usually isn't a problem since most devices can handle the difference.

How can I save money on a France cruise?
A great way to save money on your France cruise is to browse our deals and promotions or by letting us know which places you'd like to see so we can keep you in the loop for all new travel deals. Don’t go cheap on the cabin selection to save money since this will also result in less space or maybe even less comfort.

Are cruises in France a good family vacation?
Yes! If you are traveling with younger children then avoid the wine tasting cruises, but otherwise we feature some very active options that are great for families. Check out our family travel article for more information.

Do Americans and Canadians need a passport and visa to travel to France?
All citizens of North America traveling to Europe need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months. In recent years, it has not been necessary to apply for a visa before traveling to Europe if you plan to stay less than three months, however, this situation may change in the future. See current travel requirements on the U.S. Department of State website.