Rhône River cruises

Rhône River cruises typically begin or end in Lyon. The city combines Roman ruins, Renaissance alleyways and a thriving modern food scene. Its position at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône helped shape its identity as a major trade hub.Ships typically dock close to the centre, making it easy to explore on foot. The UNESCO-listed Old Town is a maze of cobbled streets, painted shutters and hidden passageways called traboules. On the Presqu’île, the city opens out into grand 19th-century boulevards and public squares. Food is a major part of the Lyonnaise identity, and even a short visit can include a tasting at Les Halles, lunch at a traditional bouchon or a market stop on Quai Saint-Antoine.For something quieter, head up to the Roman amphitheatre and basilica on Fourvière Hill. The views over the red rooftops and intersecting rivers are among the best in the region. You can take the funicular or walk through the garden path known as Jardin des Curiosités.

Arles lies where the Rhône begins to fan out into the Camargue. The city was once one of the most important Roman settlements in Gaul, and many of its monuments remain in everyday use. The vast amphitheatre still hosts events, while the nearby theatre is tucked between houses and narrow lanes. Beyond the Roman past, Arles became a hub for artists, most famously Van Gogh, who painted over 300 works.Walking through Arles feels like passing between centuries. Yellow shutters, terracotta tiles and sun-bleached stone give it a soft, Provençal warmth. The Romanesque Saint-Trophime church sits next to the Place de la République, while the twisting lanes nearby hide bakeries, galleries and small shops. Cruise excursions often include walking tours taking in the main sites.A more recent addition to the city is the LUMA Arles art complex, where contemporary art installations fill a former railway yard. The twisting tower designed by Frank Gehry has become a new landmark, contrasting sharply with the city’s more traditional buildings. For those with more time, the Camargue’s wetlands, flamingos and white horses are within easy reach.

Few river ports carry as much historical weight as Avignon. The city served as the papal residence during the 14th century, a period that left an architectural legacy still shaping the skyline. The star attraction, the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes), towers above the cobbled streets and leafy squares below. Its thick walls, cavernous halls and rooftop views give a sense of the power once concentrated here.Despite its ecclesiastical past, Avignon is far from austere. Life spills into the squares and streets, especially around Les Halles – the covered market packed with olives, cheeses and fresh Provençal produce. The city is surrounded by medieval ramparts, and within them are crooked lanes, bell towers and terracotta-roofed houses. The famous Pont d’Avignon, which ends halfway across the Rhône after parts collapsed during flooding in the 18th century, is another landmark of the city.Cruise excursions often focus on the palace, bridge and city walls, but it’s also worth exploring at your own pace. Rue des Teinturiers follows a shaded canal once used by cloth dyers and offers a quieter route through the city. In summer, the Avignon Festival transforms the town with theatre and street performances.

Vienne is one of the most historically layered stops on a Rhône River cruise. Once a major Roman settlement, today's city still bears the imprint of its imperial past. A walk through the centre reveals two of the best-preserved Roman sites in France: the striking Temple of Augustus and Livia and the vast Roman theatre, which continues to host concerts and performances during the annual jazz festival. The Rhône curves through the city centre, lined with cafés and markets. The Saturday market is one of the largest in the region and sprawls across several streets and squares.Cruise passengers often join walking tours, taking in Roman and medieval landmarks. Consider riding the funicular to Mont Pipet for sweeping views over the river valley. Around the cathedral and narrow lanes, you’ll find quiet courtyards, bakeries and hidden chapels.

Most cruises combine Tournon-sur-Rhône and Tain-l'Hermitage in one stops, as they are twin towns on opposite river banks. Tournon, the older of the two, is a charming riverside town with medieval architecture, including its iconic Château de Tournon. From the castle, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Rhône and surrounding vineyards, where Syrah grapes thrive in the warm sun.Tain-l'Hermitage, just across a pedestrian bridge, is a wine lover’s dream. The small village is home to the famed Hermitage vineyards, producing some of the finest wines in the Rhône Valley. The modern tasting rooms and wineries offer visitors the chance to sample these vintages grown on the terraced vineyards above the town.Cruise guests often enjoy a vineyard tour or a tasting session, but there’s more to explore. Tournon’s streets are dotted with cafés, galleries and small shops. For those looking to stretch their legs, the region offers several walking paths through the vineyards, with spectacular views of the valley and river.

This small medieval town is known for its well-preserved historic centre with winding streets and ancient stone buildings. Once a powerful diocese, Viviers's religious past is still visible today in its cathedral and the bishop’s residence.The town's narrow, cobbled streets are lined with houses that once belonged to the city’s most influential families, their facades weathered but full of character. At the heart of the town is the Cathedral of Saint Vincent, perched on a hill and offering stunning views of the Rhône River and the surrounding countryside.Many river cruises allow for a leisurely walk through Viviers. Beyond the cathedral, there’s a serene atmosphere in the town, making it a perfect place to escape the crowds and soak in the history.

Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône is a lesser-known stop on the Rhône River cruise itinerary but has natural beauty and cultural history. The town is an ideal gateway for excursions into the Camargue National Park, a vast wetland area known for its wildlife, particularly the iconic white horses, flamingos and bulls that roam freely in the marshes. Visitors can enjoy boat tours, birdwatching and nature walks through this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.While Port-Saint-Louis is small, it has charm, with pleasant streets, quiet beaches and waterfront cafés offering a peaceful escape. It’s a great place to immerse yourself in the natural world, especially for those looking to explore the Rhône delta before moving on to the next port.

This German cruise operator has been offering sailings on Europe’s rivers since 2018, earning a reputation for the premium, all-inclusive experience it provides on its intimate ships. With sweet-but-short itineraries, culinary-themed sailings and a presence on rivers like the Elbe and Po, which most other operators miss out, it has plenty to recommend it. 

Emerald Cruises offers a modern, relaxed, super-premium all-inclusive cruising experience, with contemporary and elegant ships and bucket-list destinations. Onboard, guests are able to dine at four all-inclusive and unique outlets, enjoying free-flowing alcoholic beverages at mealtimes. Flexibility is key, with its range of shore excursion packages, and every aspect of the trip is taken care of – including flights and transfers.

Known for its river cruises, CroisiEurope also offers ocean voyages on two small ships. Guests boarding the 130-passenger La Belle des Oceans (formerly Silversea's Silver Discoverer) can follow in Napoleon's footsteps, visit the hilltop villages of Balagne, and enjoy dinner at a traditional inn. Meanwhile, the 197-guest La Belle de l'Adriatique offers itineraries that take in local traditions.

Viking is the largest river cruise line operators in the world, with a fleet of 76 ships running sailings across four continents on an army of award-winning ships. The river arm of Viking is just one of Viking's cruise options, the super-premium Norwegian ocean cruise line known for its superlative cruise experience, small ships with Scandi-chic interiors and fantastic destination and cultural enrichment programme. On the river, Viking offers cruisers the chance to sail in Europe, Asia, Africa and the US, offering facilities like sundeck swimming pools, relaxing Aquavit terraces and well-stocked libraries. Continually making new additions and expanding, Viking has recently upped its Nile river cruise game with two new ships, and also sails the Mississippi river. The cruise line also champions themed cruises, taking passengers to the likes of the Passion Play at Oberammergau and offering exclusive pre-and post-cruise land tours.

Riviera Travel is one of the oldest and most reliable river cruise operators in the world, with 40 years of experience running guided and escorted tours, a land and water all around the world, including river cruises. Riviera Travel operates a unique cruising experience, partnering with local guides and experts to create a programme of guided tours and river cruises, bringing like-minded travellers together and offering a selection of authentic and bespoke travel experiences. The operator runs river cruises on European waterways like the Danube, Rhine and Douro, but also the Nile, Mekong and Yangtze. Championing escorted tours and guided holidays, Riviera Travel line also specialises in solo travel, providing a safe, friendly and social environment for travellers going it alone.

Uniworld is one of the most luxurious river cruise lines in existence, operating a fleet of 13 unique, opulent and lavish six-star river ships. The company was founded in 1976, becoming part of the Travel Corporation in 2004 – a group which also includes luxurious Red Carnation Hotel. The cruise line operates on the waters of Europe, Arica and Asia, and each Uniworld ship is inspired by its destination.

Austrian-owned Amadeus has been going for more than 30 years, recognised as one of the oldest providers in Europe, and one of the most established and reliable river cruise lines. It's the Rolls-Royce of river cruising. Originally for the German-speaking market, the cruise line has branched into international cruising, along with a revamp of its fleet and the launch of a handful of new ships – like Amadeus Imperial.

Scenic River Cruises is one of the most luxurious cruise operators in the world. It’s the cruise line behind the innovative and super luxurious yacht-style ship Scenic Eclipse, a ship that revolutionised the cruise industry when it launched. That same level of luxury can be had on its fleet of river ships. The cruise line offers an all-inclusive experience, featuring amenities like spas, terraces, panorama lounges and spacious cabins with private butlers.

Tauck is a super-premium river cruise line offering small, intimate sailings on the waterways of Europe. The cruise line launched in 1992, offering luxurious and all-inclusive river cruises on the likes of the Danube, Rhine and Rhone. With many awards under its belt, the cruise line owns it when it comes to European river cruising, heading away from crowded tourist hotspots and off the beaten track.

Introducing A-Rosa, a German river cruise line operating for a German and international audience with German and English spoken onboard. The cruise line has a fleet of 14 comfortable, plush river ships operating on Europe’s most popular waterways, like the Danube, Rhine and Rhone. A popular cruise option with A-Rosa is the line’s Christmas-themed sailings.

Avalon's suite ships in Europe and Southeast Asia boast wall-to-wall windows that transform cabins into open-air balconies, and there are also river-facing beds to make the most of passing views. The line’s Active & Discovery sailings have optional action-packed experiences alongside traditional shore tours. Avalon Waterways also offers short-break cruises of three and four nights.

Luxury cruise line, AmaWaterways, has a fleet of 23 custom-designed, five-star river ships which sail to destinations all over the world, across Europe, Asia, and Africa.On board AmaWaterways, passengers can learn Thai Chi as they sail the Mekong river, or enjoy sunrise yoga on the serene waterways of Europe.