What is the typical length of tours starting in Lyon along the Rhone River?

Rhone River tours from Lyon generally run between 6-15 days with 8-day trips being the most common choice among travelers. CroisiEurope River Cruises offers an 8-day "From Burgundy to the Camarge" route starting at 2,902 USD while Emerald Cruises runs a 10-day "Sensations of Lyon and Provence" experience for 10,375 USD. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The 8-day length was perfect to explore both Lyon and the charming towns along the Rhone."

What are the best months for starting a Rhone River tour from Lyon?

The most favorable time for Rhone River tours spans from April to October with the busiest period running June through September. These summer months bring consistent sunshine and comfortable temperatures. Viking Cruises schedules 8-9 departures each month during July and August while Emerald Cruises concentrates on summer sailings. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "We chose September for our CroisiEurope cruise and found perfect temperatures and smaller crowds than peak summer."

What type of accommodation can I expect at the start of the tour in Lyon?

Accommodations in Lyon range from modern river cruise ships to high-end hotels. Vessels like the MS Camargue II and Viking Longships feature well-appointed cabins with large windows and French balconies. Hotel options include the 5-star InterContinental Lyon - Hotel Dieu in the historic district or the 4-star Mercure Lyon Centre Château Perrache near the train station. A TourRadar traveler commented: "Our cabin on the Avalon Poetry II exceeded expectations with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and stunning views of Lyon."

What transportation options are available from Lyon Airport to tour starting points?

Getting from Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport to your tour's starting point is straightforward. Many operators like Viking Cruises and Emerald Cruises include free transfers with their air packages. The Rhônexpress tram connects the airport to Lyon Part-Dieu station in 30 minutes. Common meeting spots include the Hotel Carlton Lyon near Bellecour Square and the cruise docks in the Confluence area.

What are the most popular destinations visited after leaving Lyon?

After departing Lyon travelers explore medieval Viviers the historic Papal Palace in Avignon and Arles' Roman architecture and Van Gogh sites. Routes often include stops at Tournon/Tain-l'Hermitage for wine experiences and Port St. Louis to discover the Camargue region. A TourRadar traveler noted: "It was a great gastronomique experience. We especially enjoyed the trip to Camargue and Gorges de l'Ardèche."

What kinds of optional activities are available during the Lyon portion?

Lyon offers additional activities like hands-on cooking classes wine tours in Beaujolais vineyards and evening river excursions. Avalon Waterways features a "Culinary Walk" through food districts while CroisiEurope presents evening entertainment options. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The optional evening cruise along the Saône River gave us amazing views of Lyon's illuminated landmarks and was worth the extra cost."

What are the must-see attractions included in the first days of tours starting in Lyon?

Opening days focus on Lyon's UNESCO heritage sites including the Old Town Notre-Dame de Fourvière Basilica and the historic traboules passageways. Tours highlight the city's food culture with stops at Les Halles market and local bouchon restaurants. As a TourRadar traveler mentioned from the Emerald Cruises tour: "The guided walking tour through Lyon's hidden passageways and the evening light show at Notre-Dame were absolute highlights of our first day."

Rhone Cruises from Lyon

Have you imagined exploring Lyon's historic traboules and basilica, visiting medieval Perouges and its ancient tree, then sampling Beaujolais wines? Idyllic Rhône delivers French perfection. Tour Vienne's Roman ruins and historic sites, enjoy a private concert in the Pope's Palace at Avignon. Eight days cruising from Lyon shows you southern France's wine regions, Roman history, and papal power through landscapes that shaped European culture.

10 best Rhone river cruises from Lyon

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River Cruise
Art and History along the Rhône (port-to-port cruise)
3.8 (4 traveler reviews)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Lyon, Macon, Vienne, Avignon, Arles, Viviers,Tournon-sur-Rhone+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
MS Camargue II
Regions
RhoneSouthern France+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
From
US$2,551per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Rhône Route Méditerranée 2026 - A-ROSA LUNA
3.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Lyon, Viviers, Avignon, Arles, Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhone,Tournon-sur-Rhone+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
A-ROSA LUNA
Regions
RhoneSouthern FranceProvence+2 more
Operated in
English, German
Operator
A-ROSA
From
US$1,475per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Rhône Route Rendez-Vous 2026
5.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Lyon, Viviers, Arles, Avignon, Vienne
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
A-ROSA LUNA
Regions
RhoneSouthern FranceProvence+2 more
Operated in
English, German
Operator
A-ROSA
From
US$1,162per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
A Christmas in Provence (port-to-port cruise) - VAN GOGH II
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Lyon, Avignon, Arles, Tain-l’Hermitage
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
MS Van Gogh
Regions
RhoneSouthern FranceProvence+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
From
US$1,583per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Christmas along the Rhône - Between traditions, historical discoveries, and indulgent moments (port-to-port cruise) - VAN GOGH II
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Lyon, Tain-l’Hermitage, Viviers
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
MS Van Gogh
Regions
RhoneSouthern FranceProvence+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
From
US$1,528per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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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
RhoneSouthern FranceProvence+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
From
US$888per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
A Christmas in Provence (port-to-port cruise) - RHONE PRINCESS
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Lyon, Avignon, Arles, Tain-l’Hermitage
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
MS Rhone Princess
Regions
RhoneSouthern FranceProvence+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
From
US$1,187per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Festival Cruise : Local History and Traditions on the Rhône River - VAN GOGH II
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Lyon, Avignon, Viviers, Grignan
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
MS Van Gogh
Regions
RhoneSouthern FranceProvence+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
From
US$959per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Christmas along the Rhône - Between traditions, historical discoveries, and indulgent moments (port-to-port cruise) - RHONE PRINCESS
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Lyon, Tain-l’Hermitage, Viviers
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
MS Rhone Princess
Regions
RhoneSouthern FranceProvence+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
From
US$1,578per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Romantic Rhône Lyon → Lyon (2027)
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Lyon, Tain-l’Hermitage, Avignon, Arles, Viviers
Age Range
Ages 12+
Regions
RhoneSouthern FranceProvence+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Travel Marvel
From
US$3,208per person
+$529 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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$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) (including Vienne) Tour$
$All the must-see sites on the Rhône between Lyon, Provence, and the Camargue with a dinner at Paul Bocuse\'s Abbaye de Collonges Restaurant OFFERED (port-to-port cruise) (including Vienne) - 8 destinations$
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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) (including Vienne)
4.6 (11 traveler reviews)
"The food was incredible every day, not anything we didn't like, it was a very varied tasty menu."
Christine, traveled in April
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Lyon, Arles, Avignon, Viviers, Tain-l’Hermitage, Vienne,Collonges+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ships
MS Van Gogh MS Rhone Princess MS Camargue II+2 ships
Regions
RhoneSouthern France+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
From
US$2,273per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Rhône Route Rendez-Vous 2026
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"The trip was excellent, even though it was changed due to strikes, we end up doing the Saône instead of the Rhône."
Josiane, traveled in April
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Lyon, Viviers, Arles, Avignon, Vienne
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
A-ROSA STELLA
Regions
RhoneSouthern FranceProvence+2 more
Operated in
English, German
Operator
A-ROSA
From
US$1,056per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Rhône Route Provence 2026 - A-ROSA LUNA
3.5 (6 traveler reviews)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Lyon, Beaujolais, Viviers, Arles, Avignon
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
A-ROSA LUNA
Regions
RhoneSouthern France+1 more
Operated in
English, German
Operator
A-ROSA
From
US$1,409per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Burgundy & Provence (2026) (Lyon to Arles, 2026)
4.5 (7 traveler reviews)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Lyon, Macon, Beaune, Tain-l’Hermitage, Tournon-sur-Rhone,Viviers,Avignon,Pont du Gard,Marseille,Arles+5 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Ship
S.S. Catherine
Regions
RhoneSouthern FranceProvence+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
20% Off
From $4,699
US$3,759per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Active & Discovery on the Rhône (Southbound) 2026
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Lyon, Tain-l’Hermitage, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Viviers,Avignon,Arles,Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhone+3 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ship
Avalon Poetry II
Regions
RhoneSouthern FranceProvence+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Avalon Waterways
20% Off
From
US$4,799per person
+$231 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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