What are the best months for river cruise tours starting from Lyon?

Plan your Lyon river cruise between April and October when the weather is just right - temperatures range from 65-85°F (18-29°C) and you'll enjoy plenty of sunshine. If you want to avoid peak summer crowds and heat, go in spring (April-May) or fall (September-October). Some travelers love the special wine harvest cruises in November or the festive Christmas market cruises in December. The weather is perfect for sitting on deck and watching France roll by.

What are the most popular stops after departing Lyon on river cruise tours?

Your first stop is usually Chalon-sur-Saône, about 8-10 hours from Lyon. From there, you'll visit places like Avignon, Arles, and Viviers, plus charming spots like Tournon and the wine region of Tain l'Hermitage. As one TourRadar traveler said, "The progression from Lyon through Burgundy and into Provence offered an amazing variety of landscapes and experiences, with Avignon's Papal Palace being a particular highlight."

What's unique about the landscape and scenery when cruising from Lyon?

Your journey takes you through some of France's most beautiful landscapes. You'll float past Burgundy's endless vineyards, the rocky gorges of the Rhône Valley, and Provence's purple lavender fields. Along the way, you'll see historic bridges, medieval villages tucked into hillsides, and several UNESCO sites. One TourRadar traveler put it well: "The journey from Lyon south through the Rhône Valley offers spectacular views of terraced vineyards, ancient castles, and charming riverside villages that you can't experience any other way."

What culinary experiences are included on river cruise tours from Lyon?

Since Lyon is France's food capital, you're in for a treat. Most cruises include wine tastings, visits to local markets like Les Halles de Lyon, and meals featuring regional specialties. You'll often get to join cooking demonstrations, visit vineyards in Beaujolais, and enjoy special dinners paired with local wines. One TourRadar traveler mentioned, "The onboard cuisine was exceptional, particularly the local cheese and wine tastings that highlighted each region we visited."

What are the common embarkation points in Lyon for river cruises?

You'll start your cruise from one of three main spots in Lyon: Quai Claude Bernard in the city center, Port de Lyon Édouard Herriot in the south, or Quai Rambaud on the Saône River. Most ships start boarding around 4:00-5:00 PM on day one. Your cruise line will tell you exactly where to go and can often arrange pickup from Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport or Part-Dieu train station.

What are the best cities to visit during a river cruise starting from Lyon?

You'll get to explore some real gems of southern France. Avignon has its impressive Papal Palace, Arles shows off its Roman amphitheater and Van Gogh history, and Viviers charms visitors with its medieval streets. TourRadar travelers often say they love "the charming cities filled with history, from the Roman ruins in Arles to the stunning architecture of Avignon's Papal Palace." You'll also visit famous wine regions like Beaujolais and Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

River Cruises from Lyon

Dreaming of a French adventure in total comfort? Why not try a river cruise? Head to Lyon and enjoy Rhône cruising, exploring France's gastronomic capital, sailing through Burgundy vineyards, visiting Provence's lavender, discovering Avignon's palace, and sampling French regional cooking. Taste Lyon's bouchons and regional wines, see France beyond Paris, and see how Rhône cruising reveals French culture through its stomach.

10 best River Cruise tour packages from Lyon

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River Cruise
Spectacular South of France, Beautiful Bordeaux & Gems of the Seine
Duration
31 days
Destinations
Lyon, Macon, Cluny, Vienne, Tournon-sur-Rhone,Tain-l’Hermitage,Avignon,Pont du Gard,Gordes,Roussillon,Chateauneuf du Pape,Arles,Les Baux de Provence,Viviers,Grignan,Perouges,Bordeaux,Libourne,Saint-Emilion,Fronsac,Pauillac,Cussac-Fort-Médoc,Cadillac,Sauternes,Arcachon,Bourg,Saintes,Cognac,Blaye,Paris,Les Andelys,Rouen,Somme,Honfleur,St Mere Eglise,Omaha Beach,Bayeux,Arromanches-les-Bains,Ranville,Juno Beach,Beny-sur-Mer,Caudebec-en-Caux,Fecamp,Vernon,Giverny,La Roche-Guyon,Conflans-Sainte-Honorine,Auvers-sur-Oise,Chantilly,Versailles+45 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ships
Scenic Sapphire Scenic Diamond Scenic Gem +2 ships
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
22% Off
From $32,564
US$25,414per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Burgundy & Provence (2027) (Lyon to Arles, 2027)
4.5 (7 traveler reviews)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Lyon, Beaune, Tain-l’Hermitage, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Viviers,Avignon,Pont du Gard,Arles+3 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Ship
S.S. Catherine
Country Region
Southern FranceProvence+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
20% Off
From $4,399
US$3,519per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Normandy & Gems of the Seine & Spectacular South of France 2026 - 21 Days (from Lyon to Paris)
Duration
21 days
Destinations
Lyon, Chalon sur Saone, Tournus, Avignon, Arles, Viviers,Paris,Les Andelys,Rouen,Honfleur,Caudebec-en-Caux,Vernon,La Roche-Guyon,Conflans-Sainte-Honorine+8 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ships
Scenic Sapphire Scenic Gem +1 ship
Country Region
Northern France
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
20% Off
From
US$17,255per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Spectacular South of France 2026
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Lyon, Macon, Vienne, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Avignon, Arles,Viviers+1 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ship
Scenic Sapphire
Country Region
Southern France
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
18% Off
From $7,695
US$6,277per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Rhône Route Rendez-Vous 2026
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Lyon, Viviers, Arles, Avignon, Vienne
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
A-ROSA LUNA
Regions
Southern FranceProvenceRhone+2 more
Operated in
English, German
Operator
A-ROSA
18% Off
From
US$1,270per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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River Cruise
Iconic France 2026 - 21 Days (from Lyon to Bordeaux)
Duration
21 days
Destinations
Lyon, Macon, Cluny, Vienne, Tournon-sur-Rhone,Tain-l’Hermitage,Avignon,Pont du Gard,Gordes,Roussillon,Chateauneuf du Pape,Arles,Les Baux de Provence,Viviers,Grignan,Perouges,Bordeaux,Saint-Emilion,Libourne,Fronsac,Pauillac,Cussac-Fort-Médoc,Cadillac,Sauternes,Arcachon,Bourg,Saintes,Cognac,Blaye+24 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
Scenic Sapphire Scenic Diamond +1 ship
Country Region
Southern France
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
18% Off
From
US$16,575per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Rhône Route Panorama 2027
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Lyon, Chalon sur Saone, Macon, Viviers, Arles,Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhone,Avignon,Tain-l’Hermitage+3 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
A-ROSA STELLA
Regions
Southern FranceRhine+1 more
Operated in
English, German
Operator
A-ROSA
18% Off
From
US$1,508per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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River Cruise
Festival Cruise : Local History and Traditions on the Rhône River - RHONE PRINCESS
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Lyon, Avignon, Viviers, Grignan
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
MS Rhone Princess
Regions
Southern FranceProvenceRhone+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
18% Off
From
US$877per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Spectacular South of France & Delightful Douro 2026
Duration
18 days
Destinations
France Portugal Spain
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ships
Scenic Sapphire Scenic Azure+1 ship
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
18% Off
From
US$26,985per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Discover the fabulous world of vineyards and wine, exceptional terroirs of the Rhône and Saône (port-to-port cruise)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Lyon, Macon, Beaujolais, Vienne, Condom, Avignon, Arles,Saint-Rémy-de-Provence,Viviers,Tain-l’Hermitage,Tournon-sur-Rhone+4 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
MS Rhone Princess
Country Region
Southern France
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
18% Off
From
US$2,516per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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$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) (10 destinations) Tour$
$All the must-see sites on the Rhône between Lyon, Provence, and the Camargue with a dinner at Paul Bocuse\'s Abbaye de Collonges Restaurant OFFERED (port-to-port cruise) (10 destinations) - 10 destinations$
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River 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 (port-to-port cruise) (10 destinations)
4.7 (15 traveler reviews)
"Great food, fair wines, fabulous itinerary, and Great sights."
Norman, traveled in October
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Lyon, Tain-l’Hermitage, Avignon, Gordes, Arles,Camargue Regional Nature Park,Viviers,Natural Reserve of the Ardèche Gorges,La Voulte-sur-Rhone+4 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ships
MS Van Gogh MS Mistral MS Rhone Princess MS Camargue II+3 ships
Regions
Southern FranceProvenceRhone+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
18% Off
From
US$2,146per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Rhône Route Provence 2027 - A-ROSA STELLA
3.5 (6 traveler reviews)
"Cabins are very comfortable and food was abundant and of high quality. Premium option is definitely worth it."
Anthony, traveled in October
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Lyon, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Avignon, Arles, Viviers, Vienne
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
A-ROSA STELLA
Country Region
Southern FranceProvence+1 more
Operated in
English, German
Operator
A-ROSA
18% Off
From
US$1,160per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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River Cruise
Rhône Route Méditerranée 2026 - A-ROSA STELLA
3.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Lyon, Beaujolais, Viviers, Arles,Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhone,Avignon,Tournon-sur-Rhone+3 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
A-ROSA STELLA
Regions
Southern FranceProvenceRhone+2 more
Operated in
English, German
Operator
A-ROSA
18% Off
From
US$2,162per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Idyllic Rhône 2026 - 8 Days (from Lyon to Marseille)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Lyon, Macon, Beaujolais, Cluny, Vienne, Viviers, Grignan,Avignon,Chateauneuf du Pape,Arles,Les Baux de Provence,Tarascon,Marseille+6 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ship
Scenic Sapphire
Regions
Southern FranceRhone+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
19% Off
From $8,025
US$6,495per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Treasures of Burgundy and Provence: Rhône & Saône (Lyon - Lyon)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Lyon, Macon, Beaujolais, Cluny, Chalon sur Saone, Beaune,Tournus,Avignon,Nimes,Uzès,Arles,Camargue Regional Nature Park,Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer,Châteauneuf-du-Rhône,Le Pouzin,Natural Reserve of the Ardèche Gorges,Grignan,Tournon-sur-Rhone+12 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ship
Amadeus Provence
Country Region
Southern France
Operated in
English, German
Operator
Lueftner Cruises
19% Off
From
US$2,787per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruises from Lyon

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10 best River Cruise tour packages from Lyon