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.
Quick Search Search 1,683 river cruise Departures along the Rhône
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.
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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.
From culture-rich cities to world-famous wine regions, Emerald Cruises represents a new chapter in the world of river cruising. Our deluxe fleet of revolutionary...more Star-Ships promise contemporary comfort and unique on-board innovations, while our generous offering combines affordability with great dining, exceptional service and immersive itineraries across Europe and Asia. With return flights, transfers, all on-board meals, complimentary drinks, tips and much more included in the price of an Emerald Cruises river cruise, we’ve taken care of everything. Our attentive team of crew, sommeliers and personal butlers are available day and night to ensure every minute on-board the Emerald Cruises fleet is as enriching, enjoyable and relaxing as possible.
Whether you're experiencing the Rhine or the Danube, the Douro, the Rhône, Seine, Maas or Moselle... the magic of Tauck's award-winning European river...more cruises goes far beyond the riverboat you're aboard or the landmarks you'll visit. It's in the intimate ambiance and personalized service... the places you'll discover off the beaten path... and in the uncommon access to local culture and exclusive destination driven experiences you can't get on your own, as you experience a true slice of European life and return home transformed.
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
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
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
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
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
Très bon! Cruising through the south of France was one highlight of our trip! Mary, TAS, Australia, May 2024
This was our second river cruise with Emerald and we had high hopes! In spite of the email a couple of days before we were to leave Paris, that said the cruise might not be able to go ahead because of high water, we barely noticed a glitch in the itinerary. We enjoyed the pre-cruise tour of Paris and then were taken to the ship at a different location ...read more and were bussed to the scenic spots. Once again, we could not fault the service of the wonderful staff on the Emerald. The attention to detail by the housekeeping staff, the kitchen and dining room staff and the activity staff was commendable. Of course, French foods and wine were fabulous and we also enjoyed being given 30 euro to spend on lunch in Lyon. Canoeing at Avignon, the Pont du Gard and the hospital at Beaune were also highlights! C'est la vie!
River cruise that did not cruise much Avtar & Jyoti, NSW, Australia, Mar 2024
First of all, Hannah was wonderful in helping us organise this trip. The Global Journeys' booking system is also very systematic and informative. The Amadeus cruise left much to be desired. Due to heavy rains in the Rhone River, we were anchored at Lyon and then at Viviers for three days each. All excursions were arranged from these two places. So, ...read more we hardly cruised but stayed on the ship for most part. Amadeus cruises need to consider making a number of changes to provide better experience for guests. I have made those suggestions directly to them. The following rating is for the cruise and not for Global Journeys.
Viking's France's Finest Adventure Rob and Jan, QLD, Australia, Nov 2023
We booked Viking's France's Finest river cruise with Georgie after previously sailing on their Amsterdam to Budapeat river cruise. It was fantastic. Top class cabins, tours, food, drinks and staff. We cannot praise Viking and their staff highly enough. Very pleasant and helpful. There was a problem with high water and strong current on the first half ...read more of the cruise but the staff organised for buses to take us on our tours and return us to the ship after it sailed without passengers to our next port. Everything went without a hitch. Like many others, we have another cruise waiting for us in a few months time. Global Journeys Georgie does a great job with our bookings.
Relaxing river cruise Linda and Kerry, 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!😄
Explore More Your guide to travelling along the Rhône
To celebrate France Month, Scenic is shining a spotlight on their collection of luxury France river cruises. Not only do these itineraries explore the rich history and culture of each region, they focus on the gastronomic excellence just waiting to be experienced by guests, onboard and ashore....
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...
