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

Reviewed and fact-checked by · 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.

2,367 Sailings Found
Cape Town, South Africa

65 Days One-Way from Cape Town to Los Angeles

Port call

Visits France. Also visits South Africa, Namibia, Sao Vicente Island Cape Verde

Coral Princess

Departs
March 10th 2028
Duration
64 nights
From
$10,805
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +27 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Lisbon, Portugal

14 Days One-Way from Lisbon to Civitavecchia-Rome

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Portugal, Spain, Morocco

Viking Sky

Departs
March 10th 2028
Duration
13 nights
From
$8,598
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +6 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Lisbon, Portugal

20 Days One-Way from Lisbon to Chioggia

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Portugal, Spain, Morocco

Viking Sky

Departs
March 10th 2028
Duration
19 nights
From
$13,297
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +12 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote

Why Book With Waterways Cruise?

Four decades of expertise, one dedicated advisor, and every detail handled, from your front door to the gangway and back.

Personal Service

Cruise Concierge

A dedicated advisor who learns your name, your travel style and your preferences, then stays with you from the first conversation to the day you return home. Not a call center. Never a stranger.

Tailor-Made

100% Custom‑Built

No cookie-cutter packages. Flights, hotels, transfers and shore days are designed from scratch around how you actually like to travel, then refined until the trip feels like yours.

Expertise

40+ Years in Travel

Founded by J. Richard, a four-decade veteran of the travel industry, and focused solely on premium river and ocean cruising. Decades of ship and itinerary knowledge go into every recommendation.

Security

Book With Total Confidence

A travel agency that is a proud member of Signature Travel Network, CLIA, ASTA and IATA.

Lisbon, Portugal

28 Days One-Way from Lisbon to Piraeus-Athens

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Portugal, Spain, Morocco

Viking Sky

Departs
March 10th 2028
Duration
27 nights
From
$18,096
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +18 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Lisbon, Portugal

34 Days One-Way from Lisbon to Istanbul

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Portugal, Spain, Morocco

Viking Sky

Departs
March 10th 2028
Duration
33 nights
From
$23,195
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +23 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Ushuaia, Argentina

56 Days One-Way from Ushuaia to Belfast

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Argentina, Falkland Islands, Saint Helena

Seabourn Venture

Departs
March 12th 2028
Duration
55 nights
From
$44,810
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +11 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Ushuaia, Argentina

67 Days One-Way from Ushuaia to Leith-Edinburgh

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Argentina, Falkland Islands, Saint Helena

Seabourn Venture

Departs
March 12th 2028
Duration
66 nights
From
$55,079
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +21 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Ushuaia, Argentina

81 Days One-Way from Ushuaia to Reykjavik

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Argentina, Falkland Islands, Saint Helena

Seabourn Venture

Departs
March 12th 2028
Duration
80 nights
From
$69,200
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +32 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Ushuaia, Argentina

96 Days One-Way from Ushuaia to St Johns Nl

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Argentina, Falkland Islands, Saint Helena

Seabourn Venture

Departs
March 12th 2028
Duration
95 nights
From
$85,538
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +39 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Hong Kong, Hong Kong

31 Days One-Way from Hong Kong to Cape Town

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore

Queen Anne

Departs
March 15th 2028
Duration
30 nights
From
$4,309
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +5 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Hong Kong, Hong Kong

49 Days One-Way from Hong Kong to Southampton

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore

Queen Anne

Departs
March 15th 2028
Duration
48 nights
From
$6,579
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +9 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Hong Kong, Hong Kong

51 Days One-Way from Hong Kong to Hamburg

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore

Queen Anne

Departs
March 15th 2028
Duration
50 nights
From
$9,479
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +10 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote

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.

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 0 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 0 ships visiting 0 ports across 0 unique cruises, creating 0 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!