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
Piraeus-Athens, Greece

12 Days One-Way from Piraeus-Athens to Barcelona

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Greece, Tunisia, Italy

Crystal Serenity

Departs
May 21st 2028
Duration
11 nights
From
$8,000
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +3 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Piraeus-Athens, Greece

15 Days One-Way from Piraeus-Athens to Barcelona

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Greece, Turkey, Malta

Oceania Allura

Departs
May 21st 2028
Duration
14 nights
From
$4,999
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +8 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Basel, Switzerland

8 Days One-Way from Basel to Arnhem

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands

SS Audrey

Departs
May 21st 2028
Duration
7 nights
From
$3,549
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +2 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote

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Basel, Switzerland

10 Days One-Way from Basel to Amsterdam

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands

SS Audrey

Departs
May 21st 2028
Duration
9 nights
From
$4,149
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +3 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Venice, Italy

11 Days One-Way from Venice to Barcelona

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Italy, Croatia, Montenegro

Azamara Journey

Departs
May 22nd 2028
Duration
10 nights
From
$3,139
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +4 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Bordeaux, France

12 Days One-Way from Bordeaux to Honfleur

Departs Bordeaux Disembarks Honfleur

Starts and ends in France. Also visits United Kingdom

Le Boreal

Departs
May 23rd 2028
Duration
11 nights
From
$6,850
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +5 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Genoa, Italy

11 Days One-Way from Genoa to Lisbon

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Italy, Spain, Morocco

Seabourn Pursuit

Departs
May 23rd 2028
Duration
10 nights
From
$8,167
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +3 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Genoa, Italy

23 Days One-Way from Genoa to Belfast

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Italy, Spain, Morocco

Seabourn Pursuit

Departs
May 23rd 2028
Duration
22 nights
From
$18,436
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +9 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Genoa, Italy

35 Days One-Way from Genoa to Reykjavik

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Italy, Spain, Morocco

Seabourn Pursuit

Departs
May 23rd 2028
Duration
34 nights
From
$30,923
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +19 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Genoa, Italy

51 Days One-Way from Genoa to Reykjavik

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Italy, Spain, Morocco

Seabourn Pursuit

Departs
May 23rd 2028
Duration
50 nights
From
$54,846
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +24 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Genoa, Italy

63 Days One-Way from Genoa to Reykjavik

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Italy, Spain, Morocco

Seabourn Pursuit

Departs
May 23rd 2028
Duration
62 nights
From
$68,733
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +26 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Monte Carlo, Monaco

11 Days One-Way from Monte Carlo to Civitavecchia-Rome

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Monaco, Italy, Spain

Silver Dawn

Departs
May 24th 2028
Duration
10 nights
From
$8,900
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +4 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!