England and France River Cruises
Imagine cruising past London's Tower Bridge, taking in the cityscape as you go. Or into Paris and seeing the Eiffel Tower from the water, glittering in the light. Stop at villages like Monet's Giverny, cruise the Seine and sampling fine wines. It’s a truly unique way of experiencing both iconic cities - unpack once, scenery keeps changing. What more could you need?
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10 best river cruises through England and France
Compiled by
MelissaEngland and France travel expert at TourRadar
- Sensations of the Seine & Normandy with London & Paris
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The Emerald Lumi Star-Ship sails the Seine for 7 nights from Paris through Vernon, Rouen, Honfleur, Les Andelys, and La Roche-Guyon. An exclusive onboard cheese tasting pairs with river views, then you'll kayak along the Seine for a different angle and visit a traditional Normandy cider farm with tastings, hike to medieval Château Gaillard, and try fresh oysters in Honfleur's harbor.
Duration 13 days Destinations London, Paris, Vernon, Giverny, Rouen, Honfleur, Normandy Beach, Les Andelys, La Roche-Guyon, Auvers-sur-Oise Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Emerald Cruises From $8,180
15% Off- US$6,941
The Emerald Lumi Star-Ship sails the Seine between England and France, stopping at Claude Monet's gardens in Giverny where he painted his famous water lilies. Walk the D-Day beaches at Normandy, check out UNESCO-listed Honfleur's harbor and try fresh oysters, then tour the 1300s Château de La Roche-Guyon perched above the river.
Duration 11 days Destinations London, Paris, Vernon, Giverny, Rouen, Honfleur, Normandy Beach, Les Andelys, La Roche-Guyon, Auvers-sur-Oise Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Emerald Cruises From $6,905
18% Off- US$5,666
Avalon Tapestry II's luxury suites provide passage between England and France. The route flows from Paris to Normandy's historic beaches, featuring Vernon's Monet gardens and Rouen's medieval quarter. Eurostar connects to London for Thames River views and West End entertainment.
Duration 11 days Destinations Paris, Vernon, Giverny, Bizy, Les Andelys, Caudebec-en-Caux, Honfleur, Omaha Beach, Arromanches-les-Bains, Juno BeachSee all destinations Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Avalon Waterways From
18% Off- US$6,861+$231 upfront costs
Duration 18 days Destinations Arles, Avignon, Chateauneuf du Pape, Viviers, Tain-l’Hermitage, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Macon, Lyon, Beaujolais, ParisSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Avalon Waterways From
18% Off- US$10,873+$504 upfront costs
Duration 16 days Destinations Paris, Lyon, Vienne, Chateauneuf du Pape, Arles, Les Baux de Provence, Avignon, Pont du Gard, Gordes, ViviersSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $13,925
14% Off- US$12,031
Duration 14 days Destinations Lyon, Vienne, Chateauneuf du Pape, Arles, Les Baux de Provence, Avignon, Pont du Gard, Gordes, Viviers, GrignanSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $12,030
16% Off- US$10,136
Sail the Seine on Emerald Lumi with complimentary wine and beer at meals, including 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 7 dinners onboard. The ship sails directly into Honfleur harbor where few vessels can access. Kayaking along the Seine near La Roche-Guyon is available, plus there's onboard cheese tastings while cruising through Normandy's countryside. A traditional cider farm visit includes apple cider tastings, and you'll see Château de La Roche-Guyon's 14th-century fortress. Hiking to Château Gaillard ruins overlooking the Seine is an option during the trip.
Duration 13 days Destinations Paris, Vernon, Giverny, Rouen, Honfleur, Normandy Beach, Les Andelys, La Roche-Guyon, Auvers-sur-Oise, London Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Emerald Cruises From $8,560
15% Off- US$7,288
What our customers ask about England and France River Cruises
What are the most popular destinations included in England and France river cruise itineraries?
River cruises connecting England and France focus on key stops along the Seine Rhône and Thames rivers. In France travelers explore Paris with its essential landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Louvre. The route continues to Vernon where Monet's gardens at Giverny await then moves to Rouen known for its Gothic cathedral and on to the historic Normandy beaches. London serves as the primary English destination featuring Westminster Abbey Big Ben and St. Paul's Cathedral with options to visit Windsor Castle. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The itinerary perfectly balanced major cities like Paris and London with charming smaller towns like Vernon and Les Andelys."
When is the best time to take an England and France river cruise?
Peak river cruising season runs April through October when weather conditions are most reliable. Spring months (April-May) showcase flowering gardens including Monet's Gardens in Giverny with temperatures near 65°F. Summer (June-August) provides extended daylight for exploration though temperatures can reach 80°F. Fall months (September-October) coincide with grape harvest in regions like Bordeaux and Beaujolais with pleasant 70°F days. As TourRadar travelers note "The September timing was perfect for visiting the vineyards during harvest season in Bordeaux."
How long are typical England and France river cruise itineraries?
River cruise durations typically span 7 to 20 days. Common options include weeklong Seine River journeys from Paris to Normandy 8-day Bordeaux wine region explorations and extended 11-16 day trips incorporating London stays. Select operators like Scenic provide comprehensive 20-day Grand France voyages across multiple waterways. According to one TourRadar traveler: "Our 11-day Bordeaux cruise with 3 nights in London was the perfect length to experience both countries without feeling rushed."
What are the typical cabin options on England and France river cruise ships?
Ships like the Scenic Gem and Avalon Poetry II provide accommodations ranging from standard suites with panoramic windows to premium Balcony Suites featuring Scenic Sun Lounges. Royal Suites located on Diamond Deck offer up to 510 square feet with separate living spaces and full balconies. Each room comes equipped with L'Occitane bath amenities Egyptian cotton linens and personal climate controls. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Our Panorama Suite on the Avalon Poetry II was incredibly comfortable with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and plenty of storage space."
What is the dining experience like on England and France river cruises?
Food service celebrates regional French and English flavors across multiple venues. The Avalon Poetry II features the main Panorama Restaurant casual Panorama Lounge and outdoor Sky Grill. Special events include wine pairings with Master Sommeliers cheese tastings and French pastry demonstrations. Breakfast combines buffet and made-to-order selections while dinners offer multiple courses with regional wines included. One TourRadar traveler noted: "The culinary experience was exceptional - from fresh croissants at breakfast to gourmet French dinners paired perfectly with local wines."
What kinds of shore excursions are offered during England and France river cruises?
Tours range from guided walks through medieval towns like Les Andelys to visits at D-Day beaches and Somme Battlefields. Activities include wine tastings in Beaujolais painting workshops in Arles and French cooking classes. Scenic's program offers active options like hiking and biking alongside cultural Discovery tours. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The variety of excursion choices was excellent - one day we could be visiting a Norman abbey the next cycling through vineyards all with knowledgeable local guides."