Top France Budget Culture River Cruises &amp; Packages 2025/2026

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

Why we love them

They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Very Easy

Trip pace

Flexible schedule

Visits

Arles, Avignon, Burgundy, Dijon, Lyon, Paris

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Guided walk in Tournus; onboard cheese tasting
Choice of guided sightseeing; with picture stop on Fourvière Hill or bike with your Adventure Host; onboard lecture
Culinary tour
Guided walk in Tournon; guided walk in Viviers, visit the Old Town and the cathedral

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

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$4,724

8 days From$3,799

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The Rhine & Moselle: Canals, Vineyards & Castles

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

Why we love them

They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Very Easy

Trip pace

Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Koblenz, Luxembourg, Paris, Rudesheim

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of canal cruise or off-the-beaten path walking tour
Choice of Cologne highlights walking tour or Jewish Heritage walking tour or bike with your Adventure Host
Cruise through the scenic Rhine Gorge with breathtaking views of ancient castles, towering cliffs, and the legendary Rock of the Lorelei; in Rüdesheim choice of visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum or hike in the vineyards with your Adventure Host; free time in Koblenz in the evening
Sail through the Moselle Valley; choice of guided walk with, visit of Reichsburg Castle or cable-car ride and hike with your Adventure Host or visit to the Historische Senfmühle (mustard mill)

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

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$4,724

8 days From$3,899

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Rhine & Rhône Revealed (Northbound)

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

Why we love them

They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Very Easy

Trip pace

Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Arles, Avignon, Basel, Burgundy, Heidelberg, Heidelberg Castle, Koblenz, Lyon, Rudesheim, Strasbourg, Vienne

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheater, or painting workshop, or walk with your Adventure Host
Guided sightseeing, visit the Palace of the Popes
Guided walk, visit Old Town and the cathedral or walk with your Adventure Host
Choice of guided walk in Tournon or hike with your Adventure Host

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

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$9,717

15 days From$7,498

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics

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Christmastime from Basel to Nuremberg with 2 Nights in Prague

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

Why we love them

They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Very Easy

Visits

Bamberg, Basel, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Nuremberg, Prague, Rudesheim, Strasbourg

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of excursion to Black Forest or Freiburg sightseeing; Christmas market
Guided tour, visit La Petite France district and the gothic cathedral; Christmas market
Guided tour of Heidelberg Castle, see the Great Vat; free time for Christmas market
Visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum; Christmas market

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

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$8,285

12 days From$5,927

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Active & Discovery on the Seine (Southbound)

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

Why we love them

They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Very Easy

Visits

Giverny, Normandy, Paris, Rouen

Highlights

Welcome to France
Time at leisure in Paris; transfer to Le Havre; onboard welcome reception
Choice of Le Havre sightseeing, or visit to the Palais Bénédictine in Fécamp or guided bike tour
Choice of full day excursions to Normandy landing beaches, or “A Taste of Normandy” excursion
Choice of guided tour, see the Astronomical Clock and visit to the cathedral or guided bike tour or visit to Museum of Fine Arts; time at leisure

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

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$5,966

9 days From$4,848

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Burgundy & Provence with 2 Nights in Paris (Northbound)

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

Why we love them

They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Very Easy

Trip pace

Flexible schedule

Visits

Arles, Avignon, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Dijon, Lyon, Paris, Vienne

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheatre, or painting workshop, or walk with your Adventure Host
Guided sightseeing, visit Palace of the Popes
Guided walk, visit the Old Town and the cathedral or walk with your Adventure Host
Choice of guided walk in Tournon or hike with your Adventure Host

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

Save this trip to your favorites or other list

$6,005

10 days From$4,948

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Active & Discovery on the Rhine with 2 Nights in Lucerne (Southbound)

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

Why we love them

They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Very Easy

Visits

Amsterdam, Basel, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Lucerne, Strasbourg

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of painting class, or kayak tour or canal cruise or off-the-beaten path walking tour
Choice of guided city sightseeing, or biking tour, or culinary tour
Choice of Koblenz walking tour and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress with cable car ride, or Volcano Tour experience, or e-biking tour in the vineyards; cruise through the scenic Rhine Gorge with breath-taking views of ancient castles, towering cliffs, and the legendary Rock of the Lorelei; private reception at Rheinstein Castle
Choice of guided tour of Heidelberg Castle with tasting of local special-ties, see the Great Vat, or a hike up Philosophers’ Way, or beer tour

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

Save this trip to your favorites or other list

$6,383

10 days From$5,028

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Timeless Rivers of Europe: the Rhine and Seine

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

Why we love them

They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Very Easy

Visits

Amsterdam, Basel, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Normandy, Paris, Rouen, Rudesheim, Strasbourg

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of excursion to Black Forest, or sightseeing of Freiburg or bike with your Adventure Host
Choice of guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral or bike with your Adventure Host
Choice of guided tour of Heidelberg Castle, see the Great Vat, or walk Philosophers’ Way with your Adventure Host, or visit the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz
Visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim or hike in the vineyards with your Adventure Host; cruise through the scenic Rhine Gorge with breathtaking views of ancient castles, towering cliffs, and the leg-endary Rock of the Lorelei; free time in Koblenz

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."