Rhone River Cruises

Best time to visit

• Summer 2026

  The Rhône river cruises shine brightest in summer, when the long days let you pack in plenty of authentic experiences. Guests join intimate cooking workshops at Les Halles de Lyon, and savor exclusive tastings at historic wine cellars across Beaujolais and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. TourRadar customers consistently highlight how well the tours balance structured activities with free time - you'll explore Arles' ancient Roman sites with expert guides in the morning, then wander Lyon's secret traboules passages at your leisure in the afternoon. The carefully crafted routes make the most of summer's extended daylight, mixing cultural gems like private concerts in Avignon's grand Papal Palace with visits to traditional Camargue bull farms. Special touches elevate these journeys, including dinners at Paul Bocuse's renowned Abbaye de Collonges and sweet treats at the Cité du Chocolat in Tain L'Hermitage. While August sees the heaviest tourist traffic, our travelers mention that the professional crews handle the peak season with practiced ease and also maintain excellent service throughout.

  • July 2026 39 tours
  • August 2026 popular 46 tours
• Fall / Autumn 2026

  Autumn Rhône cruises showcase the wine harvest in full swing, with special tours through Beaujolais and Châteauneuf-du-Pape during the vendange season. Our TourRadar customers particularly enjoy experiencing the golden vineyard views and getting hands-on with grape picking activities alongside local vintners. The cruises offer exclusive access to historic wine cellars, where you'll learn about production techniques and taste newly pressed juice, as it begins its journey to becoming wine. Beyond the vineyards, these autumn sailings take you through Lyon's traboules to Paul Bocuse's Les Halles market, rich with seasonal mushrooms and game. You can join truffle hunting expeditions near Grignan with farmers and their dogs, perfect timing as the black diamonds emerge in the cooling soil. The itineraries include wonderful cultural touches too - painting workshops in Arles, when the light is particularly clear, and private concerts in Avignon's Papal Palace during quiet autumn evenings.

  • September 2026 28 tours
  • October 2026 popular 56 tours
  • November 2026 34 tours
• Winter 2026 / 2027

  Winter brings a different side of the Rhône River, especially in December when Christmas traditions come alive. The cruises focus on holiday experiences where you'll walk through Avignon's festive markets full of local foods and regional goods. You can visit the International Santon Trade Show at Cloître Saint-Trophime to see detailed nativity figures and explore the medieval Château de Tarascon in its holiday decorations. Our TourRadar customers love the Christmas Eve dinners on board and trying seasonal specialties like fougasse - a light orange blossom brioche made in Aigues-Mortes. The winter routes let you experience local holiday customs up close, from traditional carols to celebrations in small riverside communities.

  • December 2026 popular 18 tours
• Spring 2027

  Spring offers ideal weather for discovering the Rhône Valley - temperatures are just right for being outside and you'll find fewer people at main attractions. The cruises make good use of the season with bike rides through Lyon's old quarters and guided walks up to Mount Pipet near Vienne. There are special spring activities like going truffle hunting with local farmers and their dogs around Grignan, or joining painting sessions in Arles when the light is particularly clear. Our TourRadar customers really enjoy the springtime wine tastings in Beaujolais, where they learn about vineyard work just as the vines start to wake up. The cooking classes are excellent this time of year too, using fresh ingredients from Les Halles de Lyon to create traditional Provençal dishes.

  • March 2027 19 tours
  • April 2027 58 tours
  • May 2027 popular 69 tours