River Cruises in Southern France
Explore a wide diversity of river cruises through Southern France. We have 209 cruises that vary from 3 days to 31 days. With the greatest number of departures in July, 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
- Colors of Provence 2026
- Spectacular South of France with Paris & London 2026
- Sensations of Lyon & Provence 2024|2025|2026 - 8 Days (from Lyon to Nice)
- Springtime Sensations of Lyon & Provence with Swiss Wonders
- Burgundy & Provence (2026) (Lyon to Arles, 2026)
- Burgundy & Provence (2026) (Arles to Lyon, 2026)
- Colors of Provence 2026 Start Arles, End Lyon
- Cruising the Rhone & Picturesque Provence
- Iconic France 2026 - 21 Days (from Bordeaux to Lyon)
- Rhône Route Panorama 2026
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 Lyon, Vienne, Collonges, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Viviers, Avignon, Arles Age Range Ages 12+ Ship AmaKristina Operator AmaWaterways From
- US$4,099+$250 upfront costs
The Scenic Sapphire takes guests through Southern France, featuring stops at Beaune's Les Hospices, Tournon's castle, and Avignon's Pope's Palace. The journey includes Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine tasting and exclusive cultural performances in historic venues.
Duration 16 days Destinations Paris, Lyon, Chalon sur Saone, Tournus, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Avignon, Arles, Viviers, London Age Range Ages 12+ Ship Scenic Sapphire Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $37,086
41% Off- US$21,998You save $15,088
Duration 8 days Destinations Lyon, Beaune, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Viviers, Avignon, Arles, Nice Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Emerald Cruises From
41% Off- US$7,590
Duration 12 days Destinations Marseille, Arles, Avignon, Viviers, Vienne, Lyon, Lausanne Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Emerald Cruises From $10,855
42% Off- US$6,260You save $4,595
The luxurious S.S. Catherine, adorned with Murano chandeliers, sails the Rhône and Saône rivers. The 8-day route from Lyon's gastronomic center to Arles' Roman ruins includes visits to medieval Viviers and Avignon's Pope Palace.
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 $3,999
25% Off- US$2,999You save $1,000
The luxurious S.S. Catherine features lavish Savoir® beds and French balconies while cruising the Rhône and Saône rivers. The route connects Roman-rich Arles to gastronomic Lyon, with stops at UNESCO-listed Avignon's Papal Palace. Intimate excursions with 159 fellow passengers showcase France's most scenic waterways.
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 $4,899
30% Off- US$3,429You save $1,470
AmaKristina sails Southern France's rivers, stopping in historic Arles and Avignon. Activities include Rhône cycling, Van Gogh site visits, and Roman ruin exploration, with luxury French balcony accommodations.
Duration 8 days Destinations Arles, Avignon, Viviers, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Vienne, Beaujolais, Lyon Age Range Ages 12+ Ship AmaKristina Operator AmaWaterways From
30% Off- US$3,999+$245 upfront costs
The Bijou du Rhone offers panoramic views and regional cuisine while sailing Southern France. Highlights include Viviers' medieval center, Ardèche Gorge's dramatic landscapes, and Van Gogh's inspirational Arles.
Duration 8 days Destinations Lyon, Chalon sur Saone, Macon, Belleville, Trevoux, Viviers, Arles, Avignon Age Range Ages 18+ River Rhone Operator Just You From $4,156
10% Off- US$3,753You save $402
The 5-star Scenic Diamond takes you along the Gironde, Dordogne, and Garonne rivers with a stop at UNESCO-listed Saint-Émilion to see its underground Monolithic Church carved into limestone. You'll dock overnight in Libourne, then cycle through vineyards to Château Siaurac for wine tastings in the famous Médoc region. The ship continues to Cadillac where you can tour the 700-year-old Roquetaillade Castle before trying fresh oysters from Arcachon Bay.
Duration 21 days Destinations Bordeaux, Libourne, Cadillac, Bourg, Blaye, Lyon, Tournus, Avignon, Arles, Viviers Age Range Ages 18+ Ships Scenic SapphireScenic Diamond Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $29,750
50% Off- US$14,960You save $14,790
A-ROSA STELLA sails through Southern France, visiting UNESCO-listed Lyon and Avignon's papal palace. The journey includes Arles, medieval Viviers, and Beaujolais wine tastings, with gourmet dining and e-bike options.
Duration 10 days Destinations Lyon, Beaujolais, Viviers, Arles, Marseille, Saint Louis, Avignon Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Ship A-ROSA STELLA River Rhine Operator A-ROSA From
50% Off- US$2,100
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) (including Vienne)
Excellent staff, excellent food, all in all a fantastic holiday, just not long enough.
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."