What's the best time for river cruises from Paris?

April through October is ideal for Seine river cruises since the weather is perfect for both sailing and exploring. You'll enjoy comfortable spring temperatures around 65°F (18°C) in April and May, when Giverny's gardens are in full bloom. Summer brings warmer days around 75°F (24°C) and lots of daylight for sightseeing. Many travelers prefer September and October when there are fewer tourists and the weather is still mild. If you're interested in Christmas markets, December cruises are available, though it gets chilly with temperatures around 40°F (4°C). One TourRadar traveler shared: "spring for the gardens or fall for the beautiful colors along the Seine."

What shore excursions can I expect on Paris river cruises?

From Paris, you'll get to join walking tours through historic towns, explore UNESCO sites, taste wines in Champagne, and visit the D-Day beaches in Normandy. When you dock in Vernon, you can choose what interests you most - touring Monet's Gardens, cycling along the Seine, or hiking the Crests Trail. Most cruises start from central Paris hotels like the Mercure Paris Centre Tour Eiffel. A TourRadar traveler noted: "the variety of excursions allowed us to really experience French culture and history in depth."

Where do Paris river cruises typically stop?

Your cruise will take you to some of France's most beautiful places along the Seine. You'll visit Versailles Palace, Monet's house and gardens in Giverny, Rouen with its impressive cathedral, and the picturesque port town of Honfleur. The route includes important historical sites like the Normandy beaches and Château de La Roche-Guyon. Your ship will dock at several towns including Caudebec-en-Caux and Mantes-la-Jolie, giving you time to explore each place. TourRadar travelers often mention loving "the blend of historic sites and charming villages along the Seine."

How active are the shore excursions?

These cruises offer something for everyone. If you like staying active, you can join guided bike rides along the Seine, hike near La Roche-Guyon, or take walking tours in Rouen and Honfleur. For a more relaxed pace, choose scenic drives, palace visits, or wine tastings. Many ships, like the S.S. Joie de Vivre, provide bikes you can use on your own. As one TourRadar traveler said: "there were perfect options for both active adventurers and those preferring a more leisurely pace."

How long are river cruises from Paris?

Most river cruises from Paris last 7-8 days, giving you enough time to explore Normandy, the Seine River, and the Champagne region. You'll stay on comfortable ships like the S.S. Joie de Vivre, which has room for 128 passengers in nice staterooms. One TourRadar traveler mentioned: "we had a fantastic time, the ship is absolutely beautiful and the staff couldn't be nicer and more accommodating."

How much free time will I have during the cruise?

You'll get plenty of free time to explore on your own, balanced with guided activities. After morning tours in places like Paris, Rouen, and Honfleur, you'll often have whole afternoons or evenings to yourself. For example, once your guided tour of Paris ends, you can spend time in the Latin Quarter or visit the Louvre at your own pace. Many ships stay docked overnight in city centers, so you can go out in the evening too. TourRadar travelers appreciate that "the schedule provided perfect balance between organized activities and personal exploration time."

River Cruises from Paris

A cruise starting in Paris is a great way to experience river cruising. We have 137 cruises that range from 2 days up to 31 days in length. The most popular time for river cruises leaving Paris is June.

10 best River Cruise tour packages from Paris

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River Cruise
French Masterpiece: Paris, Normandy & Bordeaux WWII Remembrance & History Cruise 2026
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Paris, Vernon, Les Andelys, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen,Bordeaux,Cussac-Fort-Médoc,Blaye,Bourg,Libourne,Saint-Emilion+6 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Operated in
English
Operator
Avalon Waterways
From
US$9,498per person
+$462 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
France Encompassed 2026 - 31 Days
Duration
31 days
Destinations
Paris, Les Andelys, Rouen, Honfleur, Caudebec-en-Caux,Vernon,La Roche-Guyon,Conflans-Sainte-Honorine,Lyon,Chalon sur Saone,Tournus,Tournon-sur-Rhone,Avignon,Arles,Viviers,Bordeaux,Saint-Emilion,Libourne,Port Médoc,Cadillac,Bourg+16 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
Scenic Sapphire Scenic Diamond Scenic Gem +2 ships
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
23% Off
From $30,631
US$23,653per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Gems of the Seine, Beautiful Bordeaux & Spectacular South of France 2026 - 31 Days
Duration
31 days
Destinations
Paris, Les Andelys, Rouen, Honfleur, Caudebec-en-Caux,Vernon,La Roche-Guyon,Conflans-Sainte-Honorine,Bordeaux,Libourne,Cadillac,Bourg,Blaye,Lyon,Tournus,Avignon,Arles,Viviers+13 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ships
Scenic Sapphire Scenic Diamond Scenic Gem +2 ships
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
25% Off
From $28,161
US$21,182per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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$Revisit France\'s Past, its Royal Sites, and Medieval Cities during a Historic Cruise on the Petite Seine (port-to-port cruise) Tour$
$Revisit France\'s Past, its Royal Sites, and Medieval Cities during a Historic Cruise on the Petite Seine (port-to-port cruise) - 6 destinations$
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River Cruise
Revisit France's Past, its Royal Sites, and Medieval Cities during a Historic Cruise on the Petite Seine (port-to-port cruise)
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Paris, Melun, Moret-sur-Loing, Montereau-Fault-Yonne, Sens
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
MS Deborah
Regions
Seine Ile de FranceNorthern France+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
25% Off
From
US$3,549per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Grand France (2026) (Paris to Arles, 2026)
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Paris, La Roche-Guyon, Vernon, Giverny, Rouen,Caudebec-en-Caux,Honfleur,Normandy Beach,Mantes-la-Jolie,Versailles,Beaune,Lyon,Tain-l’Hermitage,Viviers,Avignon,Marseille,Arles+12 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Ships
S.S. Catherine S.S Joie de Vivre+1 ship
Operated in
English
Operator
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
20% Off
From $13,499
US$10,799per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Paris & Splendours of Europe
Duration
18 days
Destinations
France Netherlands Germany Austria Slovakia Hungary
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
Emerald Destiny Emerald Dawn Emerald Sun Emerald Star Emerald Sky+4 ships
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
46% Off
From $12,580
US$6,785per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Paris & Normandy (2026) (Paris to Paris, 2026)
5.0 (6 traveler reviews)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Paris, La Roche-Guyon, Vernon, Giverny, Rouen,Caudebec-en-Caux,Honfleur,Normandy Beach,Mantes-la-Jolie,Versailles+5 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Ship
S.S Joie de Vivre
Country Region
Northern France
Operated in
English
Operator
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
30% Off
From $5,248
US$3,673per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Impressions of the Seine & Paris 2026
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Paris, Mantes-la-Jolie, La Roche-Guyon, Vernon, Rouen,Caudebec-en-Caux,Le Havre+2 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
AmaDante
Regions
SeineNorthern France+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
AmaWaterways
30% Off
From
US$4,998per person
+$250 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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River Cruise
THE HISTORY OF FRANCE FROM PARIS TO NORMANDY Between heritage, landscapes, and Impressionist nuances (port-to-port cruise)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Paris, Melun, Mantes-la-Jolie, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen,La Roche-Guyon+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
SeineNorthern France+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
30% Off
From
US$2,398per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Historic Residences, Local Cuisine, and Hidden Gems in the Oise Valley (port-to-port cruise) (7 destinations)
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Paris, Bougival, Pontoise, Auvers-sur-Oise, Chantilly,Pont-l'Évêque+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
MS Deborah
Country Region
Ile de FranceNorthern France+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
30% Off
From
US$3,716per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Paris to Bruges (Brugge), Bike & Barge in France and Belgium
4.4 (5 traveler reviews)
"The overarching theme is flexibility. Sailing though canals requires much coordination of loch/bridge passage, docking locations, water and fuel refilling, etc."
Ayman, traveled in April
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Paris, Bougival, Conflans-Sainte-Honorine,Auvers-sur-Oise,Creil,Compiegne,Noyon,Chauny,Saint-Quentin,Valenciennes,Tournai,Oudenaarde,Ghent,Bruges+11 more
Age Range
Ages 10+
Regions
SeineNorthern France+1 more
Operated in
English, French,Dutch+1 more
Operator
Feniks Charter
30% Off
From
US$3,084per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Seine Experience Normandy with Paris 2026
2.8 (5 traveler reviews)
"They were friendly, helpful, efficient, always concerned with providing the best service."
Ann, traveled in April
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Paris, Rouen, Caudebec-en-Caux, Les Andelys, Vernon
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
A-ROSA VIVA
Regions
Seine NormandyNorthern France+1 more
Operated in
English, German
Operator
A-ROSA
30% Off
From
US$1,310per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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River Cruise
The Seine Valley (port-to-port cruise) - RENOIR
4.4 (4 traveler reviews)
"Food was excellent. We were impressed with how staff quickly organized all passengers."
Elizabeth, traveled in September
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Paris, La Roche-Guyon, Honfleur, Rouen, Les Andelys
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
MS Renoir
Regions
Seine NormandyNorthern France+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
30% Off
From
US$2,058per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Paris to Prague & Splendours of Europe
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"The cruise was overall better than expected."
Beatriz, traveled in June
Duration
21 days
Destinations
France Netherlands Germany Austria Slovakia Hungary Czech Republic+1 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
Emerald Destiny Emerald Dawn Emerald Sun Emerald Star Emerald Sky+4 ships
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
44% Off
From $13,245
US$7,450per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Paris & Normandy 2026
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Paris, Les Andelys, Le Havre, Rouen, Vernon
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
AmaLyra AmaDante
Regions
Seine NormandyNorthern France+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
AmaWaterways
44% Off
From
US$4,398per person
+$250 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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