The Prices of River Cruises to France
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There's something enchanting about discovering a place from the water. River cruises offer the perfect blend of leisurely sailing and exciting stops at iconic cities, towns, and natural wonders. Picture this: stunning landscapes, quaint villages, and rich cultural landmarks, all from the comfort of your cruise, gliding through France.
In this article, we'll dive into the costs of river cruises in France, highlight some of the best options out there, and share some of the most scenic routes that make these tours a magical way to travel. We've done the research for you, comparing prices, quality, and destinations to find the best value river cruises for your adventure. So, whether you're a river cruise rookie or a seasoned pro, it's time to set sail on your next unforgettable journey in France!
Why does France appeal to river cruise passengers?
River cruises in France appeal to travelers for their relaxed pace, scenic views, and access to culturally rich, often less-touristed destinations. Paris, Versailles, and Mont-Saint-Michel offer plenty of amazing museums and sights to explore. Paris is known for its world-renowned cuisine, iconic landmarks, trendsetting fashion, and dynamic markets. Paris, Bordeaux, and Cannes are foodie destinations with fantastic cuisine and world-class restaurants. With easy, all-inclusive travel arrangements and immersive stops in culturally rich areas, river cruises provide a convenient and enriching way to explore multiple regions in comfort and style.
How much do River Cruises in France cost?
The average price per day for river cruises in France is $366, based on our analysis of 128 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $137 to $980 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $185 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $595 per day.
Budget tours will usually provide less luxurious accommodation, have larger group sizes, and visit less expensive destinations. They will also sometimes have you pay for more activities on your own instead of including everything up front.
Mid-range tours often provide a step up in accommodation and transportation, and include more guided activities.
Luxury tours usually provide the highest levels of service, luxury hotels, more gormet food choices, comfortable transportation, and offer more all-inclusive payment options.
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The Best Cruises in France
Budget-Friendly Cruises
Budget-friendly and affordable river cruises in France average $185 per day, with daily prices from $137 to $234. Budget tours usually include hotels, meals, and activities that are not quite as nice as other tours. Often, they might only include transportation, lodging, and some activities, leaving you on your own to pay for meals and other attractions during the tour. This can be a very convenient and economical way to visit France without spending too much money, as it gives you control over the amount you spend on meals and extra services. If you're looking for a really great option, check out Rhône Route Rendez-Vous 2026 here.
Mid-Range Cruises
For typical river cruises in France that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $316 per day. Daily prices range from $242 to $476. Taking this step up in price from the cheaper tours to mid-range will often get you plenty of extra amenities and service for a great price. These tours usually include very comfortable hotels, meals at delicious local restaurants, comfortable transportation, knowledgable guides, and entry to many of the top attractions. One of the best tours is Burgundy & Provence (2025) (Lyon to Arles, 2025).
Luxury Cruises
Luxury river cruises in France average around $316 per day, with daily costs ranging from $490 to $980. At this price, you'll be very well taken care of and pampered on your journey through the scenic destinations. Knowledgable guides, the best accommodation options, the finest restaurants, comfortable transportation, and quick entry into attractions are all part of the itinerary. Every luxury and detail has been planned and thought about so that you don't have to deal with any hassle, you simple show up and enjoy your vacation. One of the best luxury tours here is Hiking cruise - Corsica reveals its hidden treasures.
Which tour companies offer river cruises?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer river cruises in France. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
CroisiEurope River Cruises
Focusing on river cruise tours through France, Germany, Cambodia, and Vietnam, CroisiEurope River Cruises is a well established tour provider. Most participants on their tours are adults and their tours range in length from 2 days to 3 weeks. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. This company's tour offerings are generally priced lower than others, which makes them attractive for budget travelers.
See All Tours from CroisiEurope River Cruises
AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways is a large company with a focus on river cruise tours through Germany, France, Hungary, and the Netherlands. Most participants are adults and the tours range in length from 8 days to 2 weeks. The tours offered by AmaWaterways are usually luxurious, high-end, and provide a top-tier level of service.
See All Tours from AmaWaterways
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
Focusing on river cruise tours through Germany, France, Hungary, and the Netherlands, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours is a well established tour provider. Most participants on their tours are adults and their tours range in length from 5 days to 12 weeks. Most of the tours provided by Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours are high-end and luxurious with a top-tier level of service.
See All Tours from Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
Emerald Cruises
Emerald Cruises is a large company with a focus on river cruise tours through France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Most participants are adults and the tours range in length from 5 days to 4 weeks. The tours offered by Emerald Cruises are usually luxurious, high-end, and provide a top-tier level of service. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as wine tasting, island hopping, and snorkelling.
See All Tours from Emerald Cruises
River Cruise Destinations in France
Wondering where river cruise tours visit in France? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is located in the northeastern part of France near the German border. You'll find both French and German influences in the food, architecture, and culture and the city is considered on of the most beautiful in the region. It is also filled with impressive landmarks, many of which are found in the old town.
It is a charming and beautiful city that is filled with gardens, parks, pedestrian streets, and impressive architecture.
Lyon
Lyon is a beautiful city with a long history. It has one of Europe's best old towns, which climbs the hills above the River Saône and is filled with character. There are many traditional restaurants where you can try the local cuisine. The city is also known for its Marionette puppets and there is a museum as well as places to watch a production.
The city climbs beautifully into the hills and offers spectacular views and charming character.
Arles
Arles is located on the Rhône River in Provence. It is famous as an inspiration for paintings by Vincent Van Gogh and it is filled with Roman ruins and fascinating history. Today the town regularly hosts plays and concerts that visitors can enjoy.
This small city is famous for inspiring works by Vincent Van Gogh.
Avignon
Avignon is a town in the region of Provence that dates back to the 1300s. It sits along the Rhône River and is filled with history and beautiful landmarks.
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Other popular destinations for river cruise tours through France include Viviers, Vienne, Libourne, Blaye, and Colmar.
Which is cheaper?
Is it cheaper to plan your own trip or join guided river cruises? The answer isn't clear-cut. Tours typically package accommodations, transportation, meals, entry fees, and activities into one price, whereas independent travelers must arrange and pay for these themselves. To understand the cost difference, compare the tour's price with the cost of booking everything individually. Depending on whether you choose budget-friendly options or splurge on certain aspects, the tour might be a better deal—or not. Make sure to check what's included before drawing conclusions.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
More Tour Options
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Also, if you're departing from a specific destination, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Strasbourg, The Best 3-Day Tours from Paris, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lyon, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Nice, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bordeaux, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Avignon, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Strasbourg, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Marseille, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Arles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Blois, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Dijon, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Chamonix, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bastia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tours, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Arles, The Best 10-Day Tours from Nice, The Best 10-Day Tours from Marseille, The Best 10-Day Tours from Chalon sur Saone, The Best 10-Day Tours from Lyon, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Nice, The Best 2-Week Tours from Arles, The Best 2-Week Tours from Marseille, or The Best 2-Week Tours from Chamonix for more package tour options.
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