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.

Request exclusive rates Read the France cruise port guide → Sailing data updated October 31, 2026

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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.

2,367 Sailings Found
Lisbon, Portugal

4 Days One-Way from Lisbon to Brest

Disembarks Brest

Ends in France. Also visits Portugal

Le Laperouse

Departs
February 18th 2028
Duration
3 nights
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Ports of call:
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Civitavecchia-Rome, Italy

14 Days One-Way from Civitavecchia-Rome to Piraeus-Athens

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Italy, Gibraltar, Spain

ms Nieuw Statendam

Departs
February 19th 2028
Duration
14 nights
From
$1,529
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +5 more ports
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Civitavecchia-Rome, Italy

21 Days One-Way from Civitavecchia-Rome to Piraeus-Athens

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Italy, Gibraltar, Spain

ms Nieuw Statendam

Departs
February 19th 2028
Duration
21 nights
From
$2,344
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +9 more ports
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Civitavecchia-Rome, Italy

8 Days One-Way from Civitavecchia-Rome to Barcelona

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Italy, Gibraltar, Spain

ms Nieuw Statendam

Departs
February 19th 2028
Duration
7 nights
From
$794
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call:
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Sydney, Australia

68 Days One-Way from Sydney to Cape Town

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia

Seven Seas Mariner

Departs
February 19th 2028
Duration
68 nights
From
$142,298
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +32 more ports
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Fort Lauderdale, United States

22 Days One-Way from Fort Lauderdale to Civitavecchia-Rome

Port call

Visits France. Also visits United States, Spain, Gibraltar

Sun Princess

Departs
February 19th 2028
Duration
22 nights
From
$2,254
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +6 more ports
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Istanbul, Turkey

17 Days One-Way from Istanbul to Barcelona

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Turkey, Greece, Malta

Oceania Allura

Departs
February 20th 2028
Duration
17 nights
From
$10,099
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +11 more ports
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Brest, France

11 Days One-Way from Brest to Tromso

Departs Brest

Starts in France. Also visits Belgium, Netherlands, Norway

Le Laperouse

Departs
February 21st 2028
Duration
11 nights
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Ports of call: +3 more ports
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Fort Lauderdale, United States

20 Days One-Way from Fort Lauderdale to Civitavecchia-Rome

Port call

Visits France. Also visits United States, Sint Maarten, Portugal

Viking Mars

Departs
February 23rd 2028
Duration
20 nights
From
$7,398
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +2 more ports
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Lisbon, Portugal

19 Days One-Way from Lisbon to Venice

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Portugal, Spain, Morocco

Viking Vela

Departs
February 23rd 2028
Duration
19 nights
From
$12,197
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +12 more ports
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Lisbon, Portugal

27 Days One-Way from Lisbon to Piraeus-Athens

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Portugal, Spain, Morocco

Viking Vela

Departs
February 23rd 2028
Duration
27 nights
From
$16,796
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +18 more ports
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Sydney, Australia

46 Days One-Way from Sydney to Cape Town

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Australia, Indonesia, Philippines

Queen Anne

Departs
February 28th 2028
Duration
46 nights
From
$6,849
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +11 more ports
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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)

315
Cruise ships
37
Cruise lines
128
Places ships visit
34
Embark / disembark places

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 →

River cruises

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.

Created by the Waterways Cruise content team and reviewed and fact-checked by , 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.

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