The 10 finest French river cruises to take this year
The problem with river cruising is that you often get blindsided by “star rivers”. There are several iconic waterways around the globe that just must be travelled, but benefits can be found if you shop around. Nowhere is this truer than in France.
A short ferry, train or plane ride lets you explore the châteaux of the Loire and the wonders of Paris on Seine, while a trip down the Rhône brings you Van Gogh’s favourite café and the opportunity to dance “sur le Pont d’Avignon”, for a small fee.
The trouble is, stars come with crowds, so looking beyond the obvious is a good idea. I defy anyone to gaze at the roof of the Hospices de Beaune on the Saône and not be mesmerised by its geometrical beauty, or walk the streets of Strasbourg on the Ill and not believe you’re back in medieval times. Sail the great rivers, of course, but don’t forget the little guys.
1. The Seine
The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the highlights of this cruise with a personal commentary on the 1066 Norman invasion as you move along its length. The Cathedral in Bayeux is also worth a visit, as is that of Rouen, the ancient capital of Normandy.
A visit to the D-Day beaches at Arromanches is soothed by walking around the harbour at Honfleur, with its narrow five story houses that seem to have been squashed together like the keys on a piano. Do try the local Calvados.
Riviera Travel (01283 893924: rivieratravel.co.uk) has the 8 day ‘The Seine, Paris and Normandy River’ cruise from £2,229 per person. Price includes Flights/Eurostar, Free wifi and drink/beverages package. Calling at Paris, Giverny, Rouen, Caudebec. Departs 2024 23rd September.
2. The Gironde, Dordogne and Garonne
Bordeaux is a world capital of wine, so as you might expect, names normally associated with supermarket shelves such as Saint-Emilion and Cadillac are part of this cruise. Entered through one of its seven medieval gates, St Emilion has a charming cobblestone village where Grands Crus Classé wines and beautiful architecture are a perfect match.
Similarly, part of the central square in Libourne is surrounded by the traditional arcades and is especially lively on market days. At Blaye, Vauban’s 17th century citadel is a military masterpiece complete with village and ramparts to explore.
Scenic (0161 516 5548; scenic.co.uk) has the 8 day ‘Bordeaux Affair’ cruise from £2,532 per person. Price includes Flights, Free wifi and drink/beverages package. Calling at Bordeaux, Lilbourne, Blaye, Cadillac, Bordeaux. Departs 2024 11th October.
3. The Rhône, Saone and Seine
Exploring France by travelling on three of its rivers, with extended stays at ports of call to explore their hinterland, is a great way to truly discover the country. This cruise offers a private, after dark concert in Rouen’s cathedral and a visit to the Normandy beaches.
You’ll also lock eyes on the towering 2,000-year-old Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct and view the private rooms at Versailles as Marie Antoinette saw them. In Beaune, taste local camembert along with some of the world’s finest Chardonnay wines, and in Giverny, take a stroll through Monet’s beautiful garden at the house where the painter lived for over 40 years.
Uniworld (0808 168 9231; uniworld.com/uk) has the 15 day ‘Grand France’ cruise from £5,849 per person. Price includes flights, free wifi and drink/beverages package. Calling at Arles, Avignon, Viviers, Lyon, Mâcon , Rouen, Paris. Departs 2025 23rd March.
4. The Ill
Technically, you’ll see more of Germany than France on this journey, but the River Ill, which surrounds the Unesco-listed Grande Île at the centre of Strasbourg, is worth an honourable mention.
The pink-sandstone facade of the Gothic-style Strasbourg Cathedral, with its cache of ancient murals and astronomical clock, looms large. Canals branch off from the main river course creating scenic walkways and bridges, adding to the allure of the ancient cityscape. Explore the red, half timbered houses of Bernkastel and play spot the castle as you sail further south along the Rhine Valley.
Avalon Waterways (0330 0588243; avalonwaterways.co.uk) has the 11 day ‘Rhine and Mosel (Southbound)’ cruise from £3,620 per person. Price includes return flights, rail travel, free wines and beers. Calling at Amsterdam, Cologne, Kobelenz, Speyer, Strasbourg, Breisach, Basel. Departs 2024 9th October.
5. The Yonne and Loing
The waters of the Yonne north of Paris are too shallow for bigger boats, so this cruise lets you experience a quieter slice of French history and life. The Cathedral Saint-Etienne in Sens was one of the first gothic cathedrals to be built in France, while Moret-Loing-et-Orvanne lets you visit the grandeur and magnificence of Fontainebleau. Barbizon has a fascinating eponymous art museum and the studios of Rousseau and Millet, who lived and worked here.
Great Railway Journeys (01904 734 152; greatrail.com) has the 7 day ‘Waterways of The Yonne, Paris and The Petite Seine by Barge’ cruise from £2,595 per person.
Price includes return rail travel from London, free wifi and drinks package. Calling at Paris, Melun, Barbizon, Moret-Loing-et-Orvanne and Sens. Departs 2024 4th September.
6. The Rhône and Saône
There is something magical about Arles. Not just that you can sit in the café where Van Gogh watched the world go by then walk a few yards to explore the virtually intact Roman amphitheatre, but the slow pace of life is all around.
Perched on the banks of the Saône, Mâcon has a café-lined promenade, while an overnight stay in Lyon lets you enjoy the city’s best restaurants and watering holes. At Avignon, you can explore the Palais des Papes as well as the huge indoor market to pick up Provençal snacks.
Newmarket Holidays (0333 060 1339; newmarketholidays.co.uk) has the 7 night ‘Rhône, Burgundy and Provence cruise’ from £2,340 per person. Price includes flights, free wifi, premium all-inclusive drinks package. Calling at Chalon-sur-Saone, Mâcon, Lyon, Avignon, Arles, La Voulte-sur-Rhône. Departs 2024 14th September.
7. Canal du Midi
The Mediterranean section of the 18th century-built Canal du Midi is often referred to as both a technical innovation and a work of art. Between Portiragnes to Béziers alone, you’ll cross an aqueduct over the River Orb and ascend a seven-lock flight of unique, oval gateways. With a visit to the double walled city of Carcassonne and also Pézenas, Languedoc’s ancient capital, a truffle hunt, a private wine tasting and passing through Europe’s oldest canal tunnel, this cruise lets you get under the skin of Provence.
European Waterways (01753 598555; europeanwaterways.com) has the 6-night ‘Classic Canal du Midi cruise’ from £4,850 per person. Price includes local transfers, all meals with wines on board, a 24/7 open bar, excursions/admittance fees as per the itinerary, bicycles and spa pool. Calling at Marseillan, Portiragnes, Béziers, Capestang, Sallèles d’Aude, Le Somail. Departs 2024 22nd September.
8. The Saône
Passing through Burgundy — a wine region that needs no introduction — this cruise lets you visit walled towns including Beaune with its beautiful 14th century hospices complete with glazed tile roof and Tournus, which in turn offers its remarkable Romanesque Abbey Saint-Philibert. You’ll berth at towns that reverberate with the names found on sought after red wine labels, finally arriving at the culinary and architectural box of delights that is Lyon.
AmaWaterways (0800 520 2250; amawaterways.co.uk) has the 7 night ‘Flavours of Burgundy Cruise’ from £2,754 per person based on a Cat E Stateroom. Price includes flights from London or Manchester and savings of £1,000 per couple. Calling at Dijon, Seurre, Chalon-sur-Saône, Tournus, Mâcon, Lyon. Departs 2025 27th March.
9. The Loire
The chateaux of the Loire will always be a draw, and while this cruise has an all-day excursion to discover them, Nantes is a jewel in its own right. The castle of the Dukes of Brittany, giant mechanical elephants — yes really — and taking coffee in La Cigale, the wonderful 19th century Belle Epoch Brasserie, are essential sites to tick off.
Explore Angers with its Terra Botanica, a plant-themed amusement park, the Château d’Angers and its Apocalypse Tapestry and the museum of St Nazaire. The 96-guest MS Loire Princess adds to the experience as a luxury paddle steamer designed specifically for the river.
CroisieEurope (01756 691269; croisieurope.co.uk) has the 6 day ‘The Loire Valley, a Royal Legacy Cruise’ from £1,752 per person, including all meals, drinks and return flights from London Gatwick and overseas transfers. Calling at St Nazaire, Nantes, Anciens, Chalonnes-sur-Loire, Nantes. Departs 2024 23rd July.
10. The Rhône and Rhine
This cruise offers something special. The chance to experience and compare the Provençal lifestyle of Arles with the Franco-German culture of Strasbourg. In essence a cultural journey along the Rhône and the Rhine. Explore Avignon’s grand Palace of the Popes and Cologne’s majestic cathedral, both Unesco sites.
Savour Lyon’s rich culinary traditions and the Rhineland’s hearty flavours and admire the landscapes that inspired Van Gogh in the Netherlands and Provence.
Viking (0800 319 66 60; vikingrivercruises.co.uk) has the 14 day ‘Lyon, Provence and The Rhineland’ from £5,390 per person. Price includes all meals, drinks and return flights from Gatwick and overseas transfers. Calling at Avignon, Arles, Viviers, Tournon, Vienne, Lyon, Burgundy, Basel, Breisach, Strasbourg, Speyer, Rudesheim. Departs 2025 21st May.
Essentials
If you’re travelling by Eurostar, many cruise companies now offer regional airport and train station departures. Therefore, the price mentioned on the website can be different to what you actually pay. Plus offers come and go, so it’s always a good idea to look around before you book.
