River Cruise Tours & Trips in Provence
Explore a wide diversity of river cruises through Provence. We have 85 cruises that vary from 3 days to 31 days. With the greatest number of departures in October, this is also the most popular time of the year.
10 best river cruise Provence tours
Compiled by

MelissaProvence travel expert at TourRadar
- France | Rhône River Biketour | Procence Bike & Boat
- Colors of Provence 2026
- Active & Discovery on the Rhône (Southbound) 2026
- Spectacular South of France 2026
- Burgundy & Provence (2026) (Lyon to Arles, 2026)
- Sensations of Lyon & Provence 2024|2025|2026 - 8 Days (from Marseille to Lyon)
- Colors of Provence 2026 Start Arles, End Lyon
- Burgundy & Provence (2026) (Arles to Lyon, 2026)
- France and Portugal Encounter 2027 - 31 Days (from Porto to Paris)
- A Culinary Experience in Burgundy & Provence (Northbound) 2027
Cycle and boat through Provence, from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence's Van Gogh sites to Arles' Roman amphitheater. Pedal past lavender fields, visit Carrières de Lumières art center, and taste Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines. STELLA provides luxury accommodation.
Duration 8 days Destinations Lyon, Tain-l’Hermitage, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Avignon, Chateauneuf du Pape, Arles, Tarascon, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Les Baux de Provence, Camargue Regional Nature Park Age Range Ages 18+ Operated in English, German Ships A-ROSA STELLAA-ROSA LUNA River Seine Operator Terranova Touristik From
- US$3,944
Colors of Provence 2026
“The food, shoreside tours, crew- everything- was superlative. The ship was sparkling clean and cabins were cleaned daily.”
Jean-Pierre, traveled in May
Duration 8 days Destinations Arles, Les Baux de Provence, Avignon, Pont du Gard, Viviers, Grignan, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Tain-l’Hermitage, Vienne, LyonSee all destinations Age Range Ages 12+ Ship AmaKristina River Rhone Operator AmaWaterways From
- US$4,398+$250 upfront costs
This river cruise takes you along the Rhône from Lyon to Arles on Avalon Poetry II, passing through Provence's lavender fields and historic towns. Kayak through the Gorges de l'Ardèche and cycle past pink flamingos in Camargue Natural Park, then head underground for wine tastings in Viviers.
Duration 8 days Destinations Lyon, Tain-l’Hermitage, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Viviers, Avignon, Pont du Gard, Chateauneuf du Pape, Arles, Les Baux de Provence, Port-Saint-Louis-du-RhoneSee all destinations Age Range Ages 8+ Ship Avalon Poetry II River Rhone Operator Avalon Waterways From
- US$4,899+$231 upfront costs
Duration 11 days Destinations Lyon, Macon, Cluny, Vienne, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Tain-l’Hermitage, Avignon, Pont du Gard, Gordes, RoussillonSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18+ Ship Scenic Sapphire River RhoneSaone Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $9,790
9% Off- US$8,872You save $918
Cruise through Provence aboard S.S. Catherine, visiting Avignon's Palace of the Popes and Pont du Gard aqueduct. Tour Van Gogh's Arles with 200 painting locations, explore ancient Viviers' religious quarter, and discover Ardèches village life through intimate excursions.
Duration 8 days Destinations Lyon, Macon, Beaune, Tain-l’Hermitage, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Viviers, Avignon, Pont du Gard, Marseille, Arles Age Range Ages 16+ Ship S.S. Catherine River Rhone Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From
9% Off- US$3,499
Cruise Provence's waterways aboard Emerald Liberté, from Arles to Avignon. The ship offers luxury river travel with gourmet dining and exclusive excursions. Visit Roman ruins, medieval towns, and celebrated vineyards.
Duration 8 days Destinations Marseille, Arles, Avignon, Viviers, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Beaune, Lyon Age Range Ages 12+ River RhoneSaone Operator Emerald Cruises From
9% Off- US$7,990
Sail through Provence aboard AmaKristina, from Van Gogh's Arles to Les Baux's olive farms. Watch the Carrières de Lumières art show, hunt truffles in Viviers, and taste wine in Beaujolais. Features luxury staterooms and regional gastronomy.
Duration 8 days Destinations Arles, Avignon, Viviers, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Vienne, Beaujolais, Lyon Age Range Ages 12+ Ship AmaKristina River Rhone Operator AmaWaterways From
9% Off- US$4,099+$245 upfront costs
Sail through Provence's highlights aboard S.S. Catherine, from Van Gogh's Arles with its 200 painting sites to the medieval village of Viviers. Tour Avignon's Pope Palace and traditional bouchons in Lyon. The intimate 159-passenger vessel ensures immersive experiences at each Provençal port.
Duration 8 days Destinations Arles, Marseille, Avignon, Viviers, Tain-l’Hermitage, Lyon, Beaune Age Range Ages 16+ Ship S.S. Catherine River Rhone Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From
9% Off- US$3,749
Duration 31 days Destinations Portugal, Spain, France Age Range Ages 18+ Ships Scenic SapphireScenic Gem Scenic Azure River Douro Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $26,219
24% Off- US$19,912You save $6,307
Duration 8 days Destinations Arles, Avignon, Pont du Gard, Chateauneuf du Pape, Viviers, Tain-l’Hermitage, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Macon, Lyon Age Range All Ages Welcome Ship Avalon Poetry II River RhoneSaone Operator Avalon Waterways From
24% Off- US$4,999+$252 upfront costs
What people love about River Cruise Tours in Provence
- A trip to admire the beautiful scenery of the Rhône valley (port-to-port cruise)
The cruise itself was very good however it is structured around the passengers doing tours which are an extra charge. The boat stops to let passengers off for tours then sets sail again to the next port where they meet them. Because we didn’t book tours, several times we were the only passengers on board between stops. We would have preferred a cruise that stopped for a reasonable time so we could explore on foot. The food and service onboard was exceptional. Our group of 4 were the only English speaking passengers which made it very hard to get to know others however the assistant cruise directors Adam and Valentine work extremely hard to include us and translate and were happy to practice their English with us. A lot of the Rhone is lovely but this cruise also travels through a lot of industrial areas.
- 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) (11 destinations)
Great food, fair wines, fabulous itinerary, and Great sights. Could have offered the Pont du Gard as a tour, but, the local bus & a taxi back worked out OK for us. 😊
What our customers ask about River Cruise Tours & Trips in Provence
What are the best months to take a Provence river cruise to experience optimal weather and fewer crowds?
Provence river cruises operate from April through October with May and September offering the most balanced experience. The Rhône River route showcases lavender fields between June and August near Avignon and Arles. Summer months bring temperatures up to 85°F (29°C) while spring and fall maintain milder conditions better suited for exploration. One TourRadar traveler noted "October was the perfect time to cruise with comfortable temperatures and beautiful fall colors along the Rhône."
What cultural excursions are typically included in Provence river cruise itineraries?
Each stop along the Rhône presents distinct cultural touchpoints. Daily excursions take visitors through Avignon's Papal Palace and Arles' Van Gogh sites. The itineraries include wine tastings in Châteauneuf-du-Pape local market visits at Les Halles and stops in historic villages like Les Baux-de-Provence. One TourRadar traveler shared "The guided tour of Arles was exceptional with fascinating insights into the Roman amphitheater and Van Gogh's artistic legacy in the region."
What are the main ports of call on Provence river cruises?
The typical route runs between Lyon and Arles or Avignon following the Rhône River's path. Ships dock at Viviers known for its medieval cathedral Tournon for its wine heritage and Avignon where the Papal Palace stands. A TourRadar reviewer noted "The itinerary was perfectly balanced between major cities like Lyon and charming small towns like Viviers." Stops also include Arles with its Roman architecture and the Camargue region's wildlife sanctuary.
What types of cabins are available on Provence river cruise ships?
River cruise ships on the Rhône offer varying room categories across multiple decks. The S.S. Catherine provides Classic Cabins French Balcony Suites Deluxe Balcony rooms and Grand Suites. Standard vessels like the MS Van Gogh feature 7-8 square meter cabins with panoramic windows on both Upper and Main decks. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The cabin on the Upper Deck of S.S. Catherine was incredibly spacious with floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning views of the Rhône."
What are the typical cabin options available on Provence river cruise ships?
Ships sailing the Rhône provide accommodations for different preferences and budgets. The MS Camargue II features deluxe cabins with French balconies on the Upper Deck and window cabins on the Main Deck. The S.S. Catherine offers five room categories from Classic Cabins to Grand Suites with balconies. As one TourRadar traveler mentioned "the cabins were spacious and well-appointed with large windows for viewing the passing scenery." Ships typically include twin/double rooms suites with private balconies and single cabins all with private bathrooms.
What makes the Rhône River unique for cruising in Provence?
The Rhône provides access to Provence's diverse landscapes from Beaujolais vineyards to the Camargue delta. Notable features include the Bollène lock system views of the Alpilles mountains and proximity to ancient Roman settlements. Viking Cruises emphasizes the route's connection to wine production and Roman architecture. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Cruising the Rhône offered spectacular views of vineyards medieval villages and stunning landscapes you can't see any other way."























