France Cruises: Sailings, Embarkations & Ports of Call
315 ships from 37 cruise lines
France cruises at a glance
Waterways Cruise lists 2,367 upcoming sailings on 315 ships from 37 cruise lines visiting France, calling at 128 places. Cruises can start in Paris, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Strasbourg, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux and 2 more and end in Paris, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Strasbourg, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux and 2 more. Of 2,377 upcoming sailings, 451 start in France and 455 end there.
Reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard · About this page · About us
Compare France cruise lines
See every France cruise line by ocean and river and by ultra-luxury, luxury, premium and contemporary style, with fares, cruise lengths, ships and ports.
About France
France is the quintessential European river cruise destination, offering a rich tapestry of art, history, gastronomy, and pastoral landscapes. With navigable rivers like the Seine, Rhône, Saône, Garonne, and Dordogne, travelers can glide through the heart of the country, stopping at iconic cities and charming villages. For the discerning American traveler aged, France provides a sophisticated yet accessible experience, with world-class cuisine, wine, and culture. River cruising offers a stress-free way to see the country while allowing for independent exploration at each port. This package outlines the key destinations, cruise options, and practical advice to help you choose the perfect French voyage.
Typical routes
- Seine River: From Paris to Normandy, passing through historic towns like Rouen and Honfleur, with opportunities to visit Impressionist sites and D-Day beaches.
- Rhône/Saône: From Lyon to the Camargue, through the Beaujolais wine region, Provence's ancient towns, and the Roman legacy of Arles and Avignon.
Ports overview
France's river cruise ports are located on the Seine, Rhône, Saône, Garonne, and Dordogne. These ports offer a mix of large cities and small towns, each with its own cultural and historical significance. The infrastructure for river cruising is well developed, with docking areas usually within walking distance of key attractions.
Cruise season
April to October; peak season is May-September. Spring (April-June) offers mild weather and blooming gardens, while autumn (September-October) has harvest festivals and wine-related activities.
Find your France sailing
Upcoming sailings calling at France, earliest departure first.
9 Days One-Way from Southampton to Marseille
Ends in France. Also visits United Kingdom, Spain
MSC Virtuosa
10 Days One-Way from Southampton to Barcelona
Visits France. Also visits United Kingdom, Spain
MSC Virtuosa
7 Days Marseille, France Round Trip
Starts and ends in France. Also visits Italy, Spain
MSC World Europa
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5 Days Southampton, United Kingdom Round Trip
Visits France. Also visits United Kingdom, Belgium
Queen Victoria
8 Days One-Way from Basel to Amsterdam
Visits France. Also visits Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands
Viking Alruna
12 Days One-Way from Paris City to Basel
Starts in France. Also visits Germany, Switzerland
Viking Hild
11 Days One-Way from Nuremberg to Basel
Visits France. Also visits Germany, Switzerland
Viking Modi
11 Days One-Way from Basel to Nuremberg
Visits France. Also visits Switzerland, Germany
Viking Skirnir
8 Days One-Way from Amsterdam to Basel
Visits France. Also visits Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland
Viking Tialfi
5 Days Paris City, France Round Trip
Starts and ends in France
VIVA Beyond
17 Days One-Way from Villefranche-Sur-Mer to Paris City
Starts and ends in France. Also visits France, Caudebec-en-Caux
Avalon Poetry II
20 Days One-Way from Villefranche-Sur-Mer to London-Tilbury
Starts in France. Also visits France, Caudebec-en-Caux, United Kingdom
Avalon Poetry II
Where France cruises start and end
Embarkation ports (30)
Coastal and island ports
Bordeaux (164) (cruises from) · Brest (44) (cruises from) · Cannes (94) (cruises from) · Honfleur (101) (cruises from) · Le Havre (155) (cruises from) · Marseille (658) (cruises from) · Nantes (6) (cruises from) · Rouen (115) (cruises from) · Saint Pierre and Miquelon Islands (34) (cruises from) · Sète (283) (cruises from) · St-Malo (76) (cruises from) · Villefranche-sur-Mer (326) (cruises from)
River ports
Aigues-Mortes (4) (cruises from) · Aix-en-Provence (2) (cruises from) · Arles (112) (cruises from) · Avignon (112) (cruises from) · Besancon (1) (cruises from) · Biarritz (1) (cruises from) · Chalon-sur-Saône (29) (cruises from) · Colmar (10) (cruises from) · Dijon (14) (cruises from) · Le Pecq (18) (cruises from) · Lyon (121) (cruises from) · Nancy (2) (cruises from) · Paris (188) (cruises from) · Pont-lEveque-Oise (2) (cruises from) · Sens (2) (cruises from) · Strasbourg (566) (cruises from) · Tournon-sur-Rhône (94) (cruises from) · Vannes (1) (cruises from)
Disembarkation ports (30)
Coastal and island ports
Bordeaux (164) · Brest (44) · Cannes (94) · Honfleur (101) · Le Havre (155) · Marseille (658) · Nantes (6) · Rouen (115) · Saint Pierre and Miquelon Islands (34) · Sète (283) · Villefranche-sur-Mer (326)
River ports
Aigues-Mortes (4) · Aix-en-Provence (2) · Arles (112) · Avignon (112) · Belleville-sur-Saone (1) · Bourg (24) · Chalon-sur-Saône (29) · Colmar (10) · Dijon (14) · Lagarde-Moselle (4) · Le Pecq (18) · Lyon (121) · Nancy (2) · Paris (188) · Pont-lEveque-Oise (2) · Sens (2) · Strasbourg (566) · Tournon-sur-Rhône (94) · Vernon (78)
Ships by type: 141 ocean 168 river 14 expedition · a ship that visits several places here is counted once; an expedition ship that also sails as an ocean ship appears under both types.
France is also in: Western Europe, Mediterranean
Plan your France cruise
France cruise port guide
Cruise ports, what to see, history and practical advice.
France cruise port guide →Frequently asked questions about France cruises
How many places do cruises visit in France?
128 France places are visited by 315 ships from 37 cruise lines.
When is the best time to take a France cruise?
April to October; peak season is May-September. Spring (April-June) offers mild weather and blooming gardens, while autumn (September-October) has harvest festivals and wine-related activities.
Sources and further reading
Background on France draws on these references. Sailing, fare and port data come from cruise line itineraries and are refreshed regularly.
- CIA World Factbook: France
- France.fr: Official France Tourism
- Encyclopaedia Britannica: France
- River Cruise Advisor: France River Cruises
- Lonely Planet: France
Created by the Waterways Cruise content team and reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard, Sr. Cruise Travel Agent and Founder of Waterways Cruise.
Published September 9, 2026 · Last updated October 31, 2026
Fares, availability and itineraries change often. Confirm current details with your cruise line or a Waterways Cruise agent before you book.
Cruise Disclosure
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
We work hard to make sure everything on this website is accurate and up to date. However, some information may be incomplete or inaccurate, including details supplied by third parties or otherwise outside our control, and we cannot be held responsible for such errors. We work with 41 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 585 ships visiting 1,731 ports across 7,194 unique cruises, creating 13,822 itineraries. This is a great deal of data to continually update daily from our suppliers. If a pricing error, misrepresentation, or omission occurs, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing, correct the information, or cancel or decline any booking made in error, with notice to you. Thank you for your understanding!