Boasting some of Western Europe’s most famous waterways, we’re rather keen to celebrate the best rivers to cruise in France. The vast network of canals and rivers that crisscross the country provides the framework and a glorious backdrop to the landscape, French history, culture and gastronomy. It’s therefore no surprise to discover that river cruises in France offer you one of the best ways to experience the country.
When it comes to French waterways, the list runs long, but here we’re focusing purely on the five best rivers to cruise in France.
Join us on an exciting journey up and down the country as we cruise its most famous rivers and discover the very best of France on board a river cruise, luxury hotel barge or at the helm of your self-drive hire boat.
Seine river cruises
Our first pick for the best rivers to cruise in France is perhaps the most famous. The 776km of the Seine run north west to south east through northern France from the English Channel. Its meandering waters provide the setting for some of France’s historic sites – the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Louvre… but the river’s most famous port of call is Paris. It’s a great river from which to discover the delights of Paris and Normandy.
Why cruise the Seine
This French river cruise makes an ideal holiday if you love contrasts. Along the way, you get to explore the bustling city of Paris as well as tranquil towns in Normandy. Cruising the Seine also gives you an insight into WWII history with a visit to the landing beaches on the Atlantic coast. Art buffs will relish the chance to see the world’s finest museums in Paris plus Claude Monet’s home and the inspiration for some of his most famous paintings.
Highlights along the Seine
Paris – the City of Light needs no introduction and there’s no better start or end to your Seine river cruise than a tour of Paris. You’ll take in a long list of iconic sights as well as soak up the unique Parisian atmosphere.
Claude Monet – this French river cruise stops at two key places in the French Impressionist’s life. See the gardens and ponds at Giverny, where he planted and painted his famed e water lilies and where he made his home for over 40 years. See the actual water lilies series on the same cruise at the Orangerie in Paris and visit Rouen Cathedral, another famous subject for Monet.
Rouen – as well as the stunning Gothic cathedral, the city is home to some of the finest monuments in France – the Place de Jean d’Arc, for example – and still has streets of large timber-framed houses. Don’t forget your camera!
Honfleur – the Normandy coastal town is literally as pretty as it gets. While the harbour is decked with tall houses with bright façades, the town itself is a labyrinth of narrow streets and alleyways.
Local feasts – like other French river cruises, those along the Seine also take in the best of local gastronomy. On your dining table expect delicacies such as Camembert and Calvados as well as other treats from French cuisine.
Find your Seine river cruise
Make your leisurely way along the Seine between Paris and the Normandy beaches on one of our river cruises. Discover the full itinerary details plus all you need to know about your ship here.
Rhine river cruises
While the Rhine ranks as one of the longest rivers in Europe, just 188km of its 1,325km lie in France. Despite that, it still ranks as one of the best rivers to cruise in France.
Before it reaches the North Sea, the Rhine forms a natural border between France and Germany and makes the perfect waterway for a river cruise. There’s plenty to see on the way – river cruises run from Basel in Switzerland to Amsterdam in the Netherlands taking in a whole host of European delights.
Why cruise the Rhine
If you love a truly great river, a Rhine river cruise is for you. A trip between Basel and Amsterdam also offers the chance to see some great cities and stunning scenery as well as taste the famous Alsatian food and wine. Lovers of fine monuments are in for a treat too – nowhere in Europe does medieval villages and castles quite as well as the banks of the Rhine.
Highlights along the Rhine
Beautiful Basel – if you’re doing the full Rhine river cruise, you start in Basel placed strategically on the tri-border of Switzerland, France and Germany. This lovely medieval city gives you a good introduction to the monumental delights ahead.
Epic scenery – nature has provided the Rhine banks with plenty of wonders. Marvel at the Black Forest in Germany on your right and the Vosges in France on your left. Then hold your breath as you cruise through the emblematic Rhine Gorge with the sheerest cliffs and ravines, topped with medieval castles straight out of a fairy tale.
Classic cities – this cruise includes some of Europe’s finest such as Strasbourg, Koblenz, Cologne and Amsterdam. All steeped in history, fine monuments and culture. Enjoy medieval architecture, windmills, twin-spired cathedrals and plenty of art.
Fine wining and dining – Alsace produces some excellent white wines and perhaps the heartiest food in Europe. Feast on the best as you cruise the Rhine.
Find your Rhine river cruise
For some great inspiration for a journey down one of the best rivers to cruise in France, take a look here. Note that Moselle cruises are also available.
If you’d like to focus on the Alsace region, check out our luxury barge hotel routes around Strasbourg. And if you’d prefer to do the driving yourself, why not explore Alsace from behind the wheel of a self-drive boat?
Saône-Rhône river cruises
Stretching 812km north-south from the Swiss Alps on its way to the Mediterranean, the Rhône ranks among the longest rivers in France. With the Saône, its main tributary in the north, the Rhône also offers one of the best rivers to cruise in France.
From Chalon-sur-Saône, a popular starting point for Rhône river cruises, to Avignon, the river takes in the best of French food, wine and landscapes with a good smattering of stunning towns and villages along the way.
Why cruise the Saône-Rhône
This French river cruise is for you if you fancy visiting some of the world’s finest wine-growing regions. The Rhône takes in no less than three: Beaujolais, Burgundy and Côtes du Rhône are yours to explore from your cruise. And to pair with your wine, gastronomy as only the French know how.
But a Rhône river cruise isn’t just about eating and drinking. You’ll be feasting your eyes on the landscapes too as you glide past vineyards, medieval villages, Roman ruins, spectacular gorges and the fragrant fields of Provence. Plus the Mediterranean awaits you at the Marseille end.
Highlights along the Saône-Rhône
Wine meccas – a river cruise on the Rhône takes in several key destinations in the world of French wine. The lovely town of Beaune, capital of Burgundy, lies at the start while the hallowed heritage vineyards are a little further down river before you reach Chateauneuf du Pape.
Foodie feasts – Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France, is the main city of the Rhône and Rhône river cruises generally include a day exploring the food, history and monuments in the city.
Stunning scenery – vineyards accompany you much of the way before they drop to bring natural landscapes centre stage. The Ardèche gorge with its spectacular cliffs plunging over 300m into the Rhône and the idyllic countryside in Provence are jaw droppingly gorgeous. And of course, there are the snow-capped Alps on the horizon.
Historic treasures – cruising the Rhône includes plenty of these. Think the lovely towns of Tournon and Chalon-sur-Saône; Arles with its Roman aqueduct and Van Gogh backdrops; Avignon, the 14th century Papal seat… We could go on, or you could come see for yourself!
Find your Saône/Rhône river cruise
At French Waterways, we’ve got the perfect Saône/Rhône river cruises. Get some inspiration for your holiday. If you fancy cruising the Rhône in Provence in a most intimate style, a luxury barge cruise may be for you. Or perhaps you’d like to take the helm and explore the Saône river with a self-hire boat trip.
Bordeaux-Garonne river cruises
As it makes its way west to the wide Gironde Estuary on the Atlantic, the Garonne river takes in some of the most famous wine-growing areas in France. Not for nothing are its 645km home to miles and miles of rolling vineyards whose grapes produce several revered wine labels. The star turn on this French river cruise is reserved for the city of Bordeaux, whose monuments rival Paris in their finery. But this selection of the best rivers to cruise in France also takes in beautiful medieval villages and the stunning landscapes of fruit-growing Aquitaine.
Why cruise the Garonne
A Garonne river cruise is first and foremost for connoisseurs of fine wine. A trip up and down the river takes in no less than four classic wine growing regions, all hallowed in vin circles: Cadillac, Medoc, Saint-Émilion and Sauterne. From mellow reds to crisp whites and from fragrant dessert wine to rich Cognac, you’ll get the chance to try them all on this cruise.
A trip along the Garonne also gives you an excuse to discover the many delights of Bordeaux, possibly outranked by Saint-Émilion. Decide yourself when you visit from your boat. This cruise offers scenic jewels too from the panoramic views of the estuary with the Atlantic rolling in the distance to the miles (and miles) of vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see.
Highlights along the Garonne
Exceptional wine – this French river cruise is, as we’ve said, all about the wine. Whichever vineyard you visit along the way, you’re guaranteed a taste of some of the very best French vintages. The châteaux guides at the heart of the annual production will be delighted to explain their craft and provide tastings of their best years.
Bordeaux – this waterside city boasts myriad Neoclassical monuments with Place de la Bourse perhaps the finest of all. Sitting right on the river, the façades reflect to perfection in the modern Mirroir d’Eau (Water Mirror).
Saint-Émilion – as well as producing some of the best Bordeaux wine, this enclave rivals Bordeaux for beauty. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Highlights here include the foodie feasts at Libourne market and the 12th century monolithic church carved out of a cliff.
Blaye – at the other end of the Garonne sits Blaye, the main port for Cognac (we did say this cruise was all about fine wining!). The pretty town’s other claim to fame is the 17th century citadel, used as a model for 300 others throughout France.
Find your Garonne river cruise
For a tour of fine wine and landscapes, take your pick of our cruises on the Garonne. If you fancy going that bit further upriver via the parallel Garonne Canal, how about a trip on a hotel barge on the way to Toulouse? You can also explore the same canal under your own steam on one of our self-hire boats.
Loire river cruises
Mention the Loire and the finest châteaux in the world immediately come to mind, particularly those in the Loire Valley. Along the Loire’s 1,012km, the longest French river naturally has a place in our list of best rivers to cruise in France. And unsurprisingly offers plenty of attractions as well as the perfect backdrop for a cruise. You’ll take in some of the region’s many châteaux, historic cities, fine wines and Europe’s largest shipyard.
Why cruise the Loire
This river cruise in France is for you if you love green landscapes – not for nothing is the Loire Valley known as the Garden of France. Vineyards and orchards accompany you for much of the way and provide the ingredients for the very fine wining and dining en route.
Like many other French river cruises, a trip along the Loire also gives you the chance to sample some of the country’s best wine. Expect to find a wide variety in your glass – from dry whites in Muscadet to cheeky rosés in Anjou via sparkling Saumur and the orange liqueur par excellence, Cointreau.
And then of course, rivalling the wines are the châteaux. The Loire is most of all for lovers of fairytale castles and palaces that the French do so very well. More than 1,000 await you in this region, each with its unique location, history and façades.
Highlights along the Loire
Medieval Nantes – the iconic city greets you at the start of your Loire river cruise and bids you farewell at the end giving you plenty of time to explore the delights. Don’t miss the medieval quarter and the château belonging to the Dukes of Brittany, a taste of the fine castles to come.
Saint Nazaire – a quick side trip west to the Atlantic brings you to Europe’s largest shipyard and a port steeped in maritime history. And a rather impressive bridge.
Angers – packed with medieval charm, the city upriver is also the portal to the great wines of the Loire, perfect for pairing with the region’s cuisine.
Bouchemaine – another gateway, but this time to the châteaux. The most famous lie just a stone’s throw from your cruise:
- Château Azay-le-Rideau on its own island
- Château d’Ussé the ‘Sleeping Beauty’ castle
- Château de Villandry whose gardens are second to none…
The difficult part is choosing which to see first.
Find your Loire river cruise
If you love the idea of combining wine and châteaux on your next river cruise in France, take a look at what’s on offer on the Loire.
Which of the best rivers to cruise in France will you choose?
Most definitely spoilt for choice of rivers to cruise in France, perhaps you can begin to see how we fell in love with the waterways of France! For us, we returned time and again until we cruised them all, bit by bit. And now call them home.
If you’d like to talk to someone who’s been to these parts of France and cruised these rivers, that’s us, and we adore sharing our knowledge of both the waterways and the cruising options.
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