From sun-drenched landscapes that inspired artists such as Van Gogh and Cezanne to the French food capital Lyon and world-famous vineyards of Burgundy, a Rhône river cruise is a feast for all the senses. Natural attractions along the way include blankets of fragrant lavender fields and the sweeping salt marshes of the Camargue Regional Natural Park, with its stark colour contrast of white horses, pink flamingos and black bulls.
The only major French river to flow into the Mediterranean, Rhône itineraries include the double delight of taking in the Saône river. The waterways join at Lyon for a visual delight.
March to November is when the sailing season runs, and typical itineraries are seven-night round trips from Lyon and week-long voyages from Chalon-sur-Saône or Lyon to Arles. Here’s my selection of the six best Rhône river cruises to book now.
Find by cruise type:
Best for foodies
Lyon & Provence
Viking
Key stops: Arles, Viviers, Vienne, Tournon, Lyon
Departure port: Avignon
Duration: Seven nights
Ship: Viking Heimdal
This itinerary from Viking spends two nights in Lyon, with the option to linger in the city for longer at the end of the sailing. With one of the highest concentrations of restaurants in France, Lyon has been dubbed the world capital of gastronomy, and there’s plenty of time to visit traditional local bistros, or bouchons, to savour dishes such as fluffy quenelle dumplings, rosette de Lyon sausages and garden-fresh Lyonnaise salad.
You can also gain a first-hand insight into the local cuisine by signing up for a fun and informative cookery class. After preparing a delicious dinner, you’ll sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labour paired with wines from the region.
Elsewhere, there’s the chance to explore an olive mill in the village of Fontvieille, near Arles, which has been run by generations of the same family, or taste wine in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Alternatively, a mouth-watering day trip includes joining a local farmer and his dog to hunt for truffles – followed by a suitably truffle-infused lunch – before stopping off at another farm renowned for its chèvre (goat cheese).
Insider tip
Add a three-night post-cruise stay in Dijon, famous for its mustard, gingerbread and crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur), with a full-day tour into the Burgundy wine-growing region.
How to do it
A seven-night Lyon & Provence itinerary departing October 25, 2026, costs from £3,995pp for a French balcony cabin. Includes flights, drinks with meals, daily excursions and tips.
Best for solo travellers
Burgundy, the River Rhône and Provence River Cruise
Riviera Travel
Key stops: Beaune, Vienne, Tain-l’Hermitage, Ardèche Gorges, Arles, Avignon
Departure port: Lyon
Duration: Seven nights
Ship: MS Thomas Hardy
For single travellers dipping their toes into the world of river cruising for the first time, Riviera Travel’s dedicated solo sailings are a great place to start. Sail with other singles aboard the 167-passenger MS Thomas Hardy, where passengers can make new friends at the welcome cocktail party and dinner.
You can also choose to splash out on a deluxe suite, as none of the cabins on this sailing carry any single supplement. Each day brings a choice of two differently paced shore excursions. For example, in the Ardèche Gorges region, there are the options for a leisurely afternoon at the aromatic Lavender Museum or you can embark on a hike to Grotte de la Madeleine, a prehistoric limestone cave with artwork dating back around 17,000 years.
Insider tip
The pedestrianised centre of Arles is a great place to buy brightly printed Provençal fabrics, which have been made in the city since the 17th century, and carved wooden nativity figures called santons.
How to do it
A seven-night Burgundy, the River Rhône and Provence River Cruise departing October 30, 2026, costs from £3,049pp for a standard suite. Includes flights, transfers, all drinks and excursions.
Best for oenophiles
The Valleys of the Rhône and Saône: Gastronomy and vineyards
CroisiEurope
Key stops: Tain-l’Hermitage, Vienne, Lyon, Collonges-au-Mont-d’Or, Mâcon, Belleville
Departure port: Lyon
Duration: Four nights
Ship: MS Mistral
Immerse yourself in the region’s food and wine, both ashore and on board with French-owned CroisiEurope. The line justifiably prides itself on serving authentic cuisine, and the generous open bar features a much wider choice of wines with meals than most other ships. This cruise may be short, but it packs in plenty of opportunities for wine aficionados to indulge in their passion.
A highlight of this voyage is an included dinner, with wine, at L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges. The temple of gastronomic excellence was founded by the late Lyonnaise chef Paul Bocuse, who held a record-breaking three Michelin stars here for a consecutive 55 years.
On other days, there are optional excursions to taste wine in an atmospheric cellar in Tain-l’Hermitage or travel through the vineyards of the Beaujolais region to Hameau Duboeuf, a novel wine “theme park” where a 3D cinema and other innovative displays delve into the history of the vines.
Insider tip
Try and find your way in – and out – of Lyon’s traboules, a network of labyrinthine covered passages between streets that were used as walkways by silk workers in the 18th century to protect their delicate wares.
How to do it
A four-night Valleys of the Rhône and Saône: Gastronomy and Vineyards itinerary departing October 31, 2026, costs from £1,234pp for an upper deck, twin cabin. Includes a dinner at L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges and all on-board drinks.
Best for luxury
Rhône River Roaming With Rhône Delta & Pont du Gard
Riverside Luxury Cruises
Key stops: Vienne, Tain-l’Hermitage, Viviers, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Avignon, Arles, Tarascon
Departure port: Lyon
Duration: Seven nights
Ship: Riverside Ravel
The newest line on the Rhône is Riverside, which took over the swish and intimate 110-passenger vessels formerly operated by Crystal Cruises. Recognising that travellers define luxury in different ways, Riverside stands out from the crowd by offering a variety of fare structures with different inclusions, allowing passengers to do as much or as little as they want.
Every guest is treated to a complimentary and exclusive “signature event”, and on Rhône sailings, these might include a private Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine tasting or a gourmet alfresco dinner with live music in Avignon.
Ports visited along the way include the pretty Provençal town of Tarascon, where the imposing medieval castle overlooks the river. As always, there are plenty of options, and it’s easy to embark on an independent stroll, take a guided tour of the castle or head along the riverbank on an e-bike to meet Riverside Ravel 12 miles down the river in Avignon.
Insider tip
For a really special food and wine-pairing experience, book a four-course lunch or seven-course dinner in the elegant Vintage Room. This is available for up to 10 passengers at extra cost.
How to do it
A seven-night Rhône River Roaming With Rhône Delta & Pont du Gard itinerary departing September 23, 2026, costs from £6,046pp for a Seahorse Suite at full board, which includes meals in speciality restaurants and bars, snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks at meals.
Best for activities
Active & Discovery on the Rhône (Northbound)
Avalon Waterways
Key stops: Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, Avignon, Viviers, Tournon, Lyon
Departure port: Arles
Duration: Seven nights
Ship: Avalon Poetry II
With up to five shore tours each day, Avalon’s Active & Discovery itineraries really do have something to suit everyone. The energetic can keep up step counts and heart rates on walking tours, including an urban hike through the centre of Lyon, kayaking trips, and a rail-bike trip along a disused train track.
If that’s not your scene, then you can paint your own sunflower-filled landscapes at a leisurely art class in Arles. Vincent Van Gogh lived here for a year in 1888 and painted some of his most famous works, including Sunflowers and The Langlois Bridge at Arles. It’s still instantly recognisable today, although it’s been renamed Van Gogh Bridge. Back on board the ship, you can find out what everyone else has been up to at the complimentary cocktail hour.
Insider tip
Avalon Poetry II looks as good as new after a recent refurbishment, and one of the best places to watch the world float by is the lesser-used small Club Lounge with its self-serve tea and coffee station and snacks throughout the day.
How to do it
A seven-night Active & Discovery on the Rhône (Northbound) itinerary departing September 15, 2026, costs from £3,142pp for a Deluxe cabin. Includes wine with meals, happy hour and daily excursions.
Best for outdoor relaxation
Amadeus River Cruises
Treasures of Burgundy and Provence: Rhône & Saône
Key stops: Mâcon, Chalon-sur-Saône, Avignon, Arles, Châteauneuf-du-Rhône
Departure port: Lyon
Duration: Seven nights
Ship: Amadeus Provence
Designed for sunny weather sailing on the Rhône & Saône, a standout feature on Amadeus River Cruises’ 140-guest Amadeus Provence is the beautiful infinity pool and lido deck – complete with its own bar – overlooking the back of the ship. It’s the perfect spot for a languid lunchtime glass of chilled rosé from Provence, lazy afternoons and a sundowner or two.
Amadeus is another line where you can choose to cruise your way. Three excursion packages are available in advance, or you can book shore tours when you’re aboard. They include exploring the wildlife-rich Camargue, where bulls, horses and flamingos roam alongside hundreds of species of birds, or a tasty trip to the Cité du Chocolat in Tain-l’Hermitage to discover the town’s chocolate-making history.
All passengers receive a €200 credit, which can go towards excursions, a massage in the ship’s spa, drinks from the bar or purchases in the shop.
Insider tip
In the coastal town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, visit the local market to buy nutty-flavoured Camargue rice and tubs of local salt before strolling to the beach for a paddle in the Med.
How to do it
A seven-night Treasures of Burgundy and Provence: Rhône & Saône itinerary departing June 3, 2026, costs from £2,673pp for a cabin with a panoramic window. Includes flights, dining, wine with meals, €200 on-board credit and tips.
About our expert
Jeannine Williamson
Jeannine has clocked up thousands of nautical miles on an A to Z of worldwide rivers, from the Amazon to the Zambezi. When she’s not afloat, you can find her beside the water at home on England’s south coast.