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
Barcelona, Spain

21 Days One-Way from Barcelona to New York

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Spain, Italy, Tunisia

Crystal Grace

Departs
September 5th 2028
Duration
20 nights
From
$16,500
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +8 more ports
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Lisbon, Portugal

20 Days One-Way from Lisbon to Venice

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Portugal, Spain, Morocco

Viking Sky

Departs
September 5th 2028
Duration
19 nights
From
$16,797
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +12 more ports
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Nuuk, Greenland

6 Days One-Way from Nuuk to Saint Pierre and Miquelon Islands

Disembarks Saint Pierre and Miquelon Islands

Ends in France. Also visits Greenland

Le Lyrial

Departs
September 6th 2028
Duration
5 nights
From
$1,580
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call:
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote

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Reykjavik, Iceland

28 Days One-Way from Reykjavik to Montreal

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Iceland, Greenland, Canada

Seabourn Quest

Departs
September 7th 2028
Duration
27 nights
From
$23,398
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +10 more ports
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Southampton, United Kingdom

11 Days One-Way from Southampton to Le Havre-Paris

Disembarks Le Havre

Ends in France. Also visits United Kingdom, Ireland

Oceania Sonata

Departs
September 8th 2028
Duration
10 nights
From
$5,599
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +3 more ports
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IJmuiden, Netherlands

14 Days One-Way from Ijmuiden to Reykjavik

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Netherlands, Belgium, United Kingdom

Seven Seas Mariner

Departs
September 8th 2028
Duration
13 nights
From
$34,598
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +6 more ports
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London-Tilbury, United Kingdom

18 Days One-Way from London-Tilbury to Barcelona

Port call

Visits France. Also visits United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal

Viking Vesta

Departs
September 8th 2028
Duration
17 nights
From
$11,998
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +8 more ports
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London-Tilbury, United Kingdom

10 Days One-Way from London-Tilbury to Lisbon

Port call

Visits France. Also visits United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal

Viking Vesta

Departs
September 8th 2028
Duration
9 nights
From
$5,999
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +2 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Piraeus-Athens, Greece

29 Days One-Way from Piraeus-Athens to Barcelona

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Greece, Italy, Montenegro

Seabourn Ovation

Departs
September 9th 2028
Duration
28 nights
From
$23,698
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +17 more ports
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Copenhagen, Denmark

16 Days One-Way from Copenhagen to Lisbon

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Denmark, United Kingdom, Spain

Silver Nova

Departs
September 9th 2028
Duration
15 nights
From
$17,700
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +3 more ports
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Copenhagen, Denmark

28 Days One-Way from Copenhagen to Lisbon

Port call

Visits France. Also visits Denmark, United Kingdom, Spain

Silver Nova

Departs
September 9th 2028
Duration
27 nights
From
$20,300
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +11 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Southampton, United Kingdom

12 Days One-Way from Southampton to Lisbon

Port call

Visits France. Also visits United Kingdom, Netherlands, Belgium

Seven Seas Voyager

Departs
September 10th 2028
Duration
11 nights
From
$25,798
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +2 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!