Top France Small Ship 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

Amsterdam, Basel, Heidelberg, Heidelberg Castle, Koblenz, Lake Como, Lucerne, Rudesheim, Strasbourg, Zurich

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."

Save this trip to your favorites or other list

$6,207

12 days From$4,926

Save this trip to your favorites or other list

The Rhine & Moselle: Canals, Vineyards and 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, Luxembourg, Paris, Rudesheim

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of guided tour in Luxembourg or wine walk or bike with your Adventure Host
Choice of guided tour in Bernkastel or hike to its Castle Ruins with your Adventure Host; wine tasting
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); sail through the Moselle Valley
Choice of visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum 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; classical concert

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

$5,129

8 days From$3,899

Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Spectacular Switzerland with Romantic Rhine

none

4.7/5 Excellent

Group Tour

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, Basel, Geneva, Grindelwald, Heidelberg, Heidelberg Castle, Innsbruck, Koblenz, Lake Como, Lucerne, Rudesheim, Strasbourg, Vienna, Zermatt, Zurich

Highlights

Welcome to Switzerland
Zürich orientation tour; stop in Biel/Bienne, explore the historical center; Stop in lakeside Neuchâtel
Guided sightseeing, visit the Reformation Park
See the Rhône vineyards in Évian-Les-Bains; visit the castle in Gruyères; visit the famous Maison Cailler chocolate factory in Broc
Orientation tour in Gstaad; free time in Interlaken; travel to Grindelwald

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

$9,636

16 days From$7,928

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

Burgundy & Provence 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, Lyon, Nice, 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."

Save this trip to your favorites or other list

$5,613

10 days From$4,458

Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Burgundy & Provence with 2 Nights in French Riviera & 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

Visits

Arles, Avignon, Burgundy, Dijon, Lyon, Nice, Paris, 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 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

$6,894

12 days From$5,607

Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Timeless Rivers of Europe: the Rhine and Seine with 2 Nights in Lucerne

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, Normandy, Paris, Rouen, Rudesheim, Strasbourg

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); 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

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$8,918

Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Active & Discovery on the Seine with 2 Nights in Saint-Malo and excursion to Mont St. Michel (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
Transfer to Caen, visit of Abbaye aux Dames; continue to Saint Malo
Guided walking tour; choice of local products tasting with visit to Dol-de-Bretagne or local product tasting with bike tour
Excursion to Mont St. Michel, Abbey visit; transfer to Le Havre; onboard welcome reception
Choice of Le Havre sightseeing, or visit to the Palais Bénédictine in Fécamp or guided 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

$6,923

11 days From$5,698

Save this trip to your favorites or other list

The Rhine & Moselle (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, Boppard, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Luxembourg, Rudesheim, Strasbourg, Trier, Zurich

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
Choice of guided walk, visit Reichsburg Castle or visit to Bundesbank bunker or bike tour with your Adventure Host
Guided tour in Trier; guided tour in Luxembourg

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."