A Rhône river cruise leaves from Lyon and heads south to Provence and the Camargue in 4 to 8 days, with stops at Vienne, Tain-l’Hermitage, Viviers, Avignon and Arles; some itineraries also go up the Saône as far as Mâcon, or reach Martigues near the Mediterranean.
This is the southernmost French river cruise, with a strong emphasis on wine and food. We did not sail on board for this guide and do not publish passenger reviews: the information comes from the official sites listed at the end of the page. To compare the rivers, see our river cruise guide.
Rhône river cruise: key facts
- Departure: Lyon (returning to Lyon); some itineraries run in the Martigues-Lyon direction
- Length: 4 to 8 days
- Stops: Vienne, Tain-l’Hermitage, Tournon, Viviers, Avignon, Arles, Port-Saint-Louis, Martigues, Mâcon
- Themes: vineyards, Provence, the Camargue, hiking on some departures
- Price noted: from about €690 per person for 4 days, on promotion (noted on 14 October 2026)
Rhône and Saône cruise itineraries
| Itinerary (CroisiEurope) | Length | « From » price |
|---|---|---|
| Lyon – Avignon – Viviers – Lyon | 4 days | About €690 (promotion) |
| Lyon – Avignon – Arles – Port-Saint-Louis – Martigues – Arles – Viviers – Tain-l’Hermitage – Lyon | 6 days | About €930 (promotion) |
| Lyon – Tain-l’Hermitage – Avignon – Arles – Viviers – Lyon | 7 days | About €1,480 |
| Lyon – Mâcon – Vienne – Avignon – Arles – Viviers – Tournon – Lyon | 8 days | About €1,650 to €2,090 depending on the package |
On the Rhône and Saône, CroisiEurope operates the MS Camargue (104 passengers), Mistral (152), Rhône Princess (138) and Van Gogh (105), among others, according to its ship pages. According to the company, some departures focus on wine, others on hiking, between the Camargue, the Ardèche gorges and the Vercors.
Rhône cruise stops
| Stop | What to see | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Lyon | Old Lyon, Fourvière, the confluence of the Rhône and Saône | Embarkation |
| Mâcon and Vienne | The Burgundy stretch of the Saône, the town of Vienne | On the 8-day itineraries |
| Tain-l’Hermitage and Tournon | Rhône valley vineyards | Wine-tasting stop |
| Viviers | Small old town, access to the Ardèche gorges on an excursion | Frequent stop |
| Avignon | Palace of the Popes, the Pont d’Avignon | On all the itineraries noted |
| Arles and the Camargue | Arles’ Roman heritage, the Camargue on an excursion | Port-Saint-Louis and Martigues on some programs |
To extend your trip, see our guides to Lyon, Provence and the Ardèche. If you would rather go to sea from the same region, a cruise from Marseille is the seagoing alternative.
When to go on a Rhône cruise
Spring and autumn suit walking visits in Avignon and Arles; the Provençal summer is hot, which makes midday excursions more tiring. The wine-themed itineraries are especially interesting around the grape harvest. Check the departure season on each cruise’s page.
Who is a Rhône cruise for?
- Ideal: lovers of wine, history and Provence
- Less suitable: travelers who are sensitive to heat in midsummer
The ships on the Rhône and Saône
CroisiEurope lists four ships on the Rhône and Saône, all with two decks. According to CroisiEurope, all the cabins on its ships on this river have a shower and toilet, television, hairdryer and safe, and each ship has a sun deck with loungers.
| Ship | Decks | Cabins | Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS Mistral | 2 | 77 | 152 |
| MS Rhône Princess | 2 | 69 | 138 |
| MS Van Gogh | 2 | 54 | 105 |
| MS Camargue | 2 | 54 | 104 |
Preparing your Rhône cruise
Choosing your cabin and deck
River ships have two or three decks of cabins. Lower-deck cabins generally have smaller windows close to the waterline; upper-deck cabins offer more of a view, at a higher price. Compare the deck plans on the ship’s page before you book: this is often the main price difference between two cabins on the same cruise.
Excursions: package, à la carte or independent
CroisiEurope sells excursions individually or as a package, some on foot from the quay, others by coach; it says you can also explore the stops on your own. On the Rhône, the Camargue, the Ardèche gorges and the wine estates are reached by coach; Avignon and Arles can largely be explored on foot. Book early for the excursions you care most about.
Port-to-port or transport included
With a « port-to-port » fare, you get to the ship on your own. Some CroisiEurope cruises are also sold with transport included from certain departure cities; compare the total price by adding flights or trains, transfers and a possible hotel night.
What to pack
- Your passport; check the entry requirements for France before you book: see our France guide
- Comfortable shoes for walking visits
- A warm, waterproof layer for the sun deck, even in summer
- Your booking documents and your insurance certificate
Rhône or Seine: a quick comparison
| Criterion | Rhône and Saône | Seine |
|---|---|---|
| Departure | Lyon | Paris |
| Length noted | 4 to 8 days | 6 to 8 days |
| Atmosphere | Provence, vineyards, the Camargue | Normandy, Impressionism |
| « From » price noted | About €690 (4 days) | About €900 (6 days) |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Rhône cruise cost?
On 14 October 2026, CroisiEurope showed cruises from about €690 per person for 4 days and about €930 for 6 days, on promotion, and up to about €2,090 for 8 days depending on the package.
Can you take a 2-day cruise to Avignon?
The multi-day cruises noted last at least 4 days from Lyon. For a short outing, ask the Avignon tourist office about sightseeing boats.
Where do Rhône cruises leave from?
From Lyon for most of them; some itineraries run between Lyon and Martigues.
Rhône or Seine: which should you choose?
The Seine is about Impressionism and Normandy; the Rhône is about wine, Provence and the Camargue. See our page on Seine river cruises.
Are drinks included?
With CroisiEurope, yes, with the all-inclusive package on board. See our CroisiEurope page.
Our sources
- CroisiEurope, official site croisieurope.com: destination pages and cruise sheets, consulted on 14 October 2026 (itineraries and « from » prices noted that day)
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026.