Top France River Cruise River Cruises &amp; Packages In 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

Bamberg, Basel, Boppard, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Heidelberg Castle, Munich, Nuremberg, Prague, Rudesheim, Strasbourg, Zurich

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of excursion to Black Forest or Freiburg guided tour or bike with your Adventure Host
Choice of guided tour, visit to La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral or visit to Freiburg or bike with your Adventure Host
Choice of visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, cable-car ride to the Niederwald Monument in Rüdesheim, or a hike in the vineyards with your Adventure Host; scenic cruising through the Rhine Gorge; time at leisure in Boppard
In Frankfurt choice of guided tour or bike with your Adventure Host or guided tour in Seligenstadt

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

$5,331

9 days From$4,399

Save this trip to your favorites or other list

European Masterpiece: the Rhine, Seine and Rhône Revealed

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, Arles, Avignon, Basel, Dijon, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Lyon, 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 legendary 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."

Save this trip to your favorites or other list

22 days From$12,497

Save this trip to your favorites or other list

The Rhine & Moselle with 2 Nights in Lucerne (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

Visits

Amsterdam, Basel, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Lucerne, Luxembourg, Rudesheim, Strasbourg, Trier

Highlights

Welcome to Switzerland
Guided walking tour, with the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge
Excursion to Mount Pilatus or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead); transfer to Basel to join your ship; onboard welcome reception
Choice of excursion to Black Forest, or bike with your Adventure Host or guided tour of Freiburg
Choice of guided tour, visit La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral or bike 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

$7,849

13 days From$6,119

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

Design custom trip

Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Grand France with 2 Nights in French Riviera & 3 Nights in London (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, Burgundy, Dijon, Giverny, London, Lyon, Nice, Normandy, Paris, Rouen, Vienne

Highlights

Welcome to France
Guided tour
Transfer to the ship; onboard welcome reception
Choice of guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheatre, or painting workshop, or walk with your Adventure Host
Guided sightseeing, visit the Palace of the Popes

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

$12,253

20 days From$9,444

Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Christmastime from Nuremberg to Basel 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

Arrival day at leisure
Guided tour, see the Astronomical Clock and visit to Hradcany Castle; Christmas market
Onboard welcome reception
Choice of Nuremberg guided tour or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour; Christmas market
Guided tour, see the Old Town Hall; onboard Christmas Traditions lecture

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

$7,351

12 days From$5,927

Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Christmastime from Basel to Budapest

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, Budapest, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Linz, Munich, Nuremberg, Passau, Rudesheim, Strasbourg, Vienna

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of visit to Freiburg or excursion to Black Forest; 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; enjoy a special treat

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

17 days From$9,197

Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Grand France with 2 Nights in French Riviera (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

Arles, Avignon, Burgundy, Dijon, Giverny, Lyon, Nice, Normandy, Paris, Rouen

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of excursions to Giverny or Bizy Castle or walk with your Adventure Host; choice of guided walk, or guided hike in Les Andelys; onboard crêpe tasting and Pastry Demonstration
Choice of excursion along the “Normandy Abbeys Route” or bike with your Adventure Host
Choice of full-day excursions to Normandy landing beaches or Normandy excursion
Choice of guided sightseeing, see the Astronomical Clock and visit the cathedral or bike 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

$10,877

17 days From$8,357

Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Rhine & Rhône Revealed with 2 Nights in French Riviera (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

Trip pace

Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Arles, Avignon, Basel, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Lyon, Rudesheim, Strasbourg

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; visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim or hike in the vineyards with your Adventure Host
Choice of guided walk in Mainz with a visit to the Gutenberg Museum, or a guided tour of Heidelberg Castle, see the Great Vat, or walk the Philosophers’ Way 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."