River Cruises in Southern France
Explore a wide diversity of river cruises through Southern France. We have 248 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 Southern France tours
Compiled by
MelissaSouthern France travel expert at TourRadar
- Treasures of Burgundy and Provence: Rhône & Saône (Lyon - Lyon)
- Colors of Provence 2026
- Sensations of Lyon and Provence & Nice 2026|2027
- France | Rhône River Biketour | Procence Bike & Boat
- Sensations of Lyon & Provence 2026 - 8 Days
- 14-Day French Elegance & Spanish Charm with All-Inclusive Rhône River Cruise
- Bordeaux Affair with Madrid 2026
- Bordeaux Affair with London
- Bordeaux Affair 2026
- Burgundy & Provence with 2 Nights in French Riviera for Jazz Lovers (Northbound) 2026
Duration 8 days Destinations Lyon, Macon, Beaujolais, Cluny, Chalon sur Saone, Beaune, Tournus, Avignon, Nimes, UzèsSee all destinations Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, German Ship Amadeus Provence Operator Lueftner Cruises From
- US$2,783
Colors of Provence 2026
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The food, shoreside tours, crew- everything- was superlative. The ship was sparkling clean and cabins were cleaned daily.”
Jean-Pierre, traveled in May
AmaKristina's luxury staterooms with French balconies provide comfort while sailing from Lyon through Provence. The journey includes stops at Viviers and Tournon, featuring daily excursions and regional wine tastings.
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 Operator AmaWaterways From
- US$4,398+$250 upfront costs
Emerald Liberté cruises the Rhône and Saône rivers with stops to see Lyon's UNESCO-listed Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière and the medieval village of Tournon with its 16th-century castle. You'll walk through Viviers' ancient cathedral and check out Arles' 2,000-year-old Roman Amphitheatre, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wine tastings in Beaujolais, tours of lavender fields in Provence, and a classical concert in Avignon's historic center round out the itinerary.
Duration 11 days Destinations Lyon, Perouges, Macon, Beaujolais, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Viviers, Avignon, Chateauneuf du Pape, Arles, Les Baux de ProvenceSee all destinations Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Emerald Cruises From $5,965
11% Off- US$5,310You save $655
STELLA takes guests through Southern France, offering cycling tours through Rhône Valley vineyards and Camargue wetlands. Visits include Tain-l'Hermitage's chocolate makers, Avignon's historic bridge, and Ardèche's dramatic gorges, complemented by luxury accommodations.
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
11% Off- US$4,011
Southern France's rivers connect seven cities on this 8-day Emerald Liberté trip, where you'll see Arles (Van Gogh painted 'Starry Night Over the Rhône' here) and Tournon's 16th-century castle. Taste Beaujolais wines from Gamay grapes in Mâcon, canoe through Avignon's waterways, and walk through lavender fields and vineyards.
Duration 8 days Destinations Nice, Arles, Avignon, Viviers, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Macon, Lyon Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Emerald Cruises From $8,990
50% Off- US$4,495You save $4,495
Duration 14 days Destinations Paris, Lyon, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Avignon, Arles, Viviers, Marseille, Barcelona Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Wonderful Holidays UK From $11,136
4% Off- US$10,690You save $445
Scenic Diamond's route through Southern France encompasses Bordeaux's UNESCO heritage and Saint-Émilion's underground monuments. Guests receive exclusive access to Château d'Agassac concerts and sample wines in Médoc's prestigious vineyards.
Duration 11 days Destinations Bordeaux, Libourne, Saint-Emilion, Blaye, Cussac-Fort-Médoc, Bourg, Cadillac, Madrid Age Range Ages 18+ Ship Scenic Diamond Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From
4% Off- US$6,880
Scenic Diamond cruises through UNESCO-listed Bordeaux and Saint-Émilion. Special access includes Château d'Agassac concerts and Château Siaurac wine tastings, complemented by luxury river-view suites.
Duration 11 days Destinations Bordeaux, Saint-Emilion, Libourne, Blaye, Cussac-Fort-Médoc, Bourg, Cadillac, London Age Range Ages 12+ Ship Scenic Diamond Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From
4% Off- US$7,770
Duration 8 days Destinations Bordeaux, Libourne, Saint-Emilion, Blaye, Cussac-Fort-Médoc, Bourg, Cadillac, Sauternes Age Range Ages 18+ Ship Scenic Diamond Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From
4% Off- US$5,495
Avalon Poetry II's 200 sq. ft. Panorama Suites with open-air balconies sail the Rhône and Saône through Southern France. You'll tour Arles' UNESCO-listed Roman Amphitheater where Van Gogh painted and Avignon's 14th-century Palace of the Popes, with plenty of time to wander both historic centers.
Duration 10 days Destinations Nice, Aix-En-Provence, Arles, Avignon, Pont du Gard, Chateauneuf du Pape, Viviers, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Vienne, LyonSee all destinations Age Range Ages 8+ Ship Avalon Poetry II Operator Avalon Waterways From
4% Off- US$5,658+$231 upfront costs
Southern France River Cruise Reviews
- 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) (10 destinations)
Overall it was a great cruise. Staff were super friendly and helpful. Excursions were very good and I would recommend taking them. Food was very good, but you had no choice unless you advised prior to meal that you wanted something other than what was being served that day. If you want a true French experience than this is the crusise for you.
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.
A trip to admire the beautiful scenery of the Rhône valley (port-to-port cruise)
What our customers ask about River Cruises in Southern France
What are the main rivers and routes covered by Southern France river cruises?
Southern France river cruises navigate the Rhône Saône and Garonne rivers. The Rhône-Saône route connects Lyon to Arles letting travelers explore landmarks like Avignon's Papal Palace and the Roman amphitheater in Arles. Around Bordeaux the Garonne and Dordogne rivers take wine enthusiasts through famous regions including Saint-Émilion and Médoc. A TourRadar traveler on the Avalon Waterways cruise noted: "The journey from Lyon to Arles was spectacular with each stop offering unique insights into French history wine and culture. The Rhône Valley scenery was absolutely breathtaking."
How do river cruise itineraries differ between the Rhône and Bordeaux regions of Southern France?
Rhône and Bordeaux cruises showcase different aspects of French culture. On Rhône trips by Uniworld and AmaWaterways travelers explore Provence's Roman sites lavender fields and Côtes du Rhône wines between Lyon and Arles. Bordeaux cruises by Scenic and CroisiEurope take a circular route on the Garonne and Dordogne focusing on wine regions like Saint-Émilion and Médoc. A TourRadar traveler who experienced both commented: "The Rhône offered more historical sites and dramatic landscapes while Bordeaux was paradise for wine lovers with exclusive château visits and tastings. Both regions showcased impressive French gastronomy and charming medieval villages."