Rhône River Cruises

Winding its way through the heartland of France and flowing south into the Med, the Rhône valley is dotted with numerous charming villages, magnificent historical cities including Avignon, Viviers and Mâcon, and is regarded as one of the greatest wine-growing regions in the world.

Popular River Cruises View all

8 Days Lyon to Nice

Operator: Emerald Cruises

From 3,955
Save 1,844

15 Days Arles to Paris

Operator: Avalon River Cruises

From 9,608
Save 2,698

8 Days Avignon to Lyon

Operator: Viking River Cruises

From 3,915
Save 1,190

8 Days Arles to Chalon Sur Saone

Operator: Avalon River Cruises

From 4,865
Save 1,546

The Rhône River

Map of the Rhône River

Where does the Rhône start & finish?

The Rhône River originates in the Swiss Alps, specifically from the Rhône Glacier in the canton of Valais. It flows through Lake Geneva and enters France, eventually emptying into the Mediterranean Sea through a delta in the Camargue region. The river has a total length of approximately 813 km's (505 miles).

Do river cruises sail the length of the Rhône?

While the Rhône starts in Switzerland, most river cruises focus on the French section of the river, typically starting from Lyon and going south towards the Mediterranean, or vice versa. The stretch of the river from Lyon to the Mediterranean Sea is navigable and is the section most often included in river cruise itineraries.

Gourmet Capital

The Rhône flows through Lyon, often considered the gastronomic capital of France. Many river cruises offer culinary excursions in Lyon, where you can indulge in gourmet delights from fine dining to local markets.

Wine Lovers' Paradise

The Rhône Valley is one of France's premier wine-producing regions. You'll find renowned vineyards near Avignon and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, offering excellent opportunities for wine-tasting tours.

Impressionist Scenery

The Rhône was a great inspiration for Vincent van Gogh, especially during his time in Arles. The vivid landscapes and light have also inspired many other artists, adding a layer of artistic history to the region.

The Camargue

Near the Rhône Delta, you'll find the Camargue, a natural region famous for its pink flamingos, white horses, and black bulls. Some cruises offer excursions to this unique natural reserve, providing a break from the cities and vineyards.

POPULAR RIVER CRUISE LINES View all

Amadeus
Why pay for other people’s drinks? Why pay for shore excursions that don’t interest you? Family-owned Amadeus has spent 40-years' perfecting the balance...more without compromising quality. Beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch and dinner, but not during the day. Only pay for the shore excursions you want. Book an excursion package in advance for a discount or book individual excursions as you go. Gourmet dining, wi-fi, bottled water in cabins and of course one of the most luxurious five-star fleets on the European waterways. To quote a regular repeat guest “Amadeus are fantastic. A really great product and the crew are all so beautiful”. We look forward to welcoming you aboard.
Rhone Rivers15
Budget:Premium
Known For:Austrian Heritage
Fleet Size:10
Scenic
With Scenic, it’s more than a 5-star river cruise...it’s a seamless journey from start to finish that places you, our guest, at the heart of everything...more we do. It’s taking you to extraordinary regions and immersing you in meaningful and enriching experiences. It’s exquisite cuisine, indulgent wellness, and a world-class team who will anticipate your every need. You'll find the difference is in the details with Scenic: the innovative ship design, expertly trained crew, immersive journey, and an unrivalled focus on health and safety protocols.
Rhone Rivers102
Budget:Premium & Luxury
Known For:Luxury Cruising
Fleet Size:14
Uniworld
Once you step onboard the world’s finest and most awarded river cruise line for the first time, we are quite sure the refined luxury onboard our fleet...more will sweep you off your feet. We draw our inspiration for the design philosophy of every one of the 17 ships in our fleet directly from the destination in which they sail. The craftsmanship, the attention to detail, the art onboard, the handcrafted furniture and intricacy of the fabrics are lovingly assembled to be a masterpiece in and of itself. Stepping onboard is to step into a world of beautiful colours and one-of-a-kind details that truly bring your destination to life. Crafting experiences you can’t find anywhere else, means continuing to elevate Uniworld to new heights year after year. From the addition of four new Super Ships in Egypt, Vietnam, Portugal and Italy, to the award winning service that comes from the heart, we’re putting even more emphasis on what’s onboard to enhancing several itineraries to accommodate guest’s diverse tastes for the future. We truly look forward to welcoming our Australian guests onboard.
Rhone Rivers151
Budget:Luxury
Known For:Boutique River Cruising
Fleet Size:18

Discover Must Do Experiences and Highlights

Lyon

Lyon

This vibrant city beckons with its culinary excellence, UNESCO-listed Vieux Lyon (Old Town) and Basilica of Notre Dame. Experience a blend of historical and contemporary architecture, or witness sweeping views from the top of Fourvière Hill.

Tournon

Tournon

Explore the 16th-century Tournon Castle and museum and wander through the historic old town. The dual suspension bridges afford breathtaking river views, and did we mention it is also a wine lover's haven?

Viviers

Viviers

Delight in a visit to charming Viviers. With residences of past nobility and the 12th-century St Vincent Cathedral, immerse yourself in history against the backdrop of the breathtaking French countryside.

Pont du Gard, Avignon

Pont du Gard, Avignon

Built in the first century AD, the Pont du Gard is a Roman aqueduct bridge and UNESCO-listed site. This architectural marvel once delivered water to the ancient city known as Nemausus, 50km away!

Artistic Arles

Artistic Arles

Home to the ancient Arles Amphitheatre, the city's historic and artistic heritage will charm and fascinate. Vincent van Gogh painted over 300 pieces during his stay here - discover the magic yourself.

Latest Reviews What our clients are saying about their journeys along the Rhône

Relaxing river cruise     , Queensland , Australia, Oct 2023
We set off from Australia at the end of August on an almost 10 week European adventure. On our last 2 weeks we did Viking’s France’s Finest 15 day river cruise, which is in fact 2 cruises marketed as one trip. We did the Avignon to Lyon cruise first, followed by a round trip from Paris for the second. Viking transfers you via train from Lyon to Paris ...read more to do the second cruise. Both cruises were a wonderful, relaxing way to end our sometimes exhausting 10 week journey! We were blessed with pretty good weather and the itineraries on both ships were interesting .

Everything onboard was amazing, from the friendly staff, the wonderful food & wine to the included tours, complete with excellent local guides. We couldn’t fault it. It was the perfect way to end a long trip abroad. France in Autumn was beautiful with the trees changing colour and the scenery we saw from our ship was spectacular. We chose the lower deck cabins as we were travelling with a group, so not in cabins much. Perfectly fine for our needs. Many thanks to Georgie for organising this part of our holiday. Nothing was too much trouble and she happily answered all our queries!😄
Everything went smoothly! Great Trip     , NSW, Australia, Aug 2023
Global Journeys and Jemma handled our booking process well. We loved our Viking France’s Finest cruises. We made some new friends and found the staff excellent. Loved the onshore excursions particularly Monet's Garden, and all the walled medieval villages, especially Viviers night walk. Accommodation was lovely and cruising enjoying the view was perfect. ...read more The crew of the Heimdal were particularly outstanding.
Wonderful Two River Cruise   , NSW, Australia, Aug 2023
We had an incredible two river cruise from Amsterdam to Avignon with Viking Cruises. Everything was first class right down to the impeccable state room service. Wonderful dining and entertainment experiences, very friendly and experienced staff and tour guides. Wouldn't hesitate in doing another Viking trip.
Gabriel Gate made the cruise extra special!   , ACT, Australia, Jun 2023
Tastes of Southern France river cruise was excellent, and the presence of Gabriel Gate as host made a huge difference. He not only entertained us but educated us about French culture, food and wine. We enjoyed all the daily tours and appreciated the fact that they were all short bus trips or walking distance from the boat. Staff were all lovely, ...read more efficient and friendly. Our cruise director Andreaa was super organized and efficient. She was very aware of the limitations of the older guests and described tours in detail so people were well informed of walking conditions, toilets availability, weather. Highly recommended.

Explore More Your guide to travelling along the Rhône

Burgundy & Provence by River

13 November, 2023

Burgundy & Provence by River

Journey through Burgundy and Provence on a scenic river cruise along the Saône and Rhône rivers. This extraordinary journey is filled with remarkable food, world-class wines, and a deep dive into history. Discover the highlights of this remarkable region and explore your next river cruise...