Rhone River Cruise: Which Line, Which Season and Is It Right for You?
Decide if a Rhone river cruise through Burgundy and Provence fits you, then compare 2027 sailings, fares, direction and the best months to go.
A Rhone river cruise fits you if food and wine are major reasons you travel and you want France beyond Paris. The Rhone and Saone are where I look for food and wine travelers: Burgundy, Lyon, Provence, Avignon, Arles, vineyards, markets and regional cooking. It is the river I suggest after a first Rhine or Danube cruise, or when you have already seen Paris and want a different France.
Skip it if European history and dramatic rivers are the point; the Rhine, Danube and Seine serve you better. Book April to June or September to October, because peak summer brings heat to Provence. Then let the line decide the price: as of 2026-10-26, published 2027 fares start at €1,655 on CroisiEurope and $2,599 on Viking and reach $7,890 on Tauck.
2027 Rhone River Cruise Sailings Compared
| Line | Ship | Itinerary | Route and direction | Nights | Sample 2027 dates | From per person, as of 2026-10-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viking | Viking Longship | Lyon & Provence | Lyon to Avignon or the reverse. Beaujolais day, no Burgundy stop. | 7 | Mar 28 (Lyon to Avignon) and Apr 14 (Avignon to Lyon) | $2,599 |
| AmaWaterways | AmaKristina | Colors of Provence | Lyon to Arles or the reverse. No Burgundy stop. | 7 | Mar 25 and Apr 22 southbound (Celebration of Wine). May 13 and Jun 10 northbound. | Not published online |
| Avalon | Not named online | Burgundy & Provence | Lyon to Arles or the reverse. Mâconnais Chardonnay tasting. | 7 | Mar 23 northbound. Oct 26 southbound. | $3,976 (Oct 26). $4,701 (Mar 23). |
| Scenic | Scenic Space-Ship | Idyllic Rhône | Lyon to Tarascon, then transfer to Nice. Mâcon stop. | 7 | Apr 26 ($5,664). Aug 29 ($5,333). Oct 2 ($6,234). | $5,333, Standard Suite |
| Emerald | Emerald Star-Ship | Springtime Sensations of Lyon & Provence | Lyon to Arles, then transfer to Marseille. No Burgundy stop. | 7 | Apr 3 ($3,128). May 29 ($3,527). Jun 5 ($4,838). | $3,128, Preferred Fare |
| Tauck | ms Lumière | Savoring Southern France: Paris, Lyon & Provence | Paris, train to Lyon, sail south, return to Paris. | 10 days, Paris included | Through October. Dates in Tauck’s booking calendar only. | $7,890 |
| CroisiEurope | Rhone Princess, Camargue, Van Gogh | From Burgundy to the Camargue | Lyon round trip via Mâcon, Cluny, Avignon and Arles. | 7 | May 2 (€1,789). Jul 13 (€1,655). Sep 21 (€2,119). | €1,655 |
Which Rhone Line to Book
Viking is the baseline here: familiar and structured, with the most recognizable name. The other lines differ from it in route, inclusions and how much is handled for you.
Uniworld also sails Burgundy and Provence. As of 2026-10-26 I have not confirmed its 2027 Rhone dates and fares on its own site, so it is not in the table.
- Choose Viking for a format you already know from the Rhine or Danube, with fares from $2,599. The trade-off: Lyon & Provence spends its northern day in Beaujolais, not Burgundy.
- Choose AmaWaterways for the strongest food-and-wine program, with Celebration of Wine departures in spring 2027 and excursion choices that include Pont du Gard, Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the Camargue. The trade-off: 2027 fares are not published online, so compare it only on a written quote.
- Choose Avalon for a Mâconnais Chardonnay tasting and a cabin built around the view. The trade-off: if you book a Panorama Balcony, it is a wall of glass that opens, not a walk-out balcony.
- Choose Scenic for luxury inclusions, a Mâcon stop and a private concert in Avignon’s Palace of the Popes. The trade-off: $5,333 is the floor, and you finish with a transfer from Tarascon to Nice.
- Choose Emerald for modern value in spring: $3,128 on April 3, with a private Beaujolais tasting and a canoe outing on the Rhone. The trade-off: the same itinerary costs $4,838 for June 5, and Emerald’s Sensations of Lyon & Provence costs $5,622 for September 25.
- Choose Tauck for a fully handled trip: Paris hotel nights, a Le Cordon Bleu pastry class, Beaujolais and Châteauneuf-du-Pape tastings, Pont du Gard and a Camargue ranch lunch. The trade-off: $7,890 before flights, and less independent time.
- Choose CroisiEurope for a French operator, drinks included with meals and at the bar, and a Lyon round trip that covers both Burgundy (Mâcon and Cluny) and the Camargue. The trade-off: shore excursions are optional add-ons, fares are in euros, and the onboard feel is more European than American.
Best Rhone River Cruise Stops to Check on the Itinerary
Two sailings both labeled “Lyon to Provence” can deliver different weeks. These are the stops worth checking before deposit.
| Stop | Why it matters | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Lyon | France’s food capital, at the meeting of the Rhone and Saone | A full Lyon day, or only a base for a Beaujolais coach day |
| Mâcon and Burgundy | Chardonnay country; Cluny Abbey on CroisiEurope | Only Scenic, Avalon and CroisiEurope in my table stop here. For Beaune, ask for a Saone itinerary that sails north to Chalon-sur-Saône |
| Vienne | Roman temple and theater | A full stop or a short walk |
| Tournon and Tain-l’Hermitage | Hermitage vineyards across the river; Viking’s Train de l’Ardèche ride | A tasting, or only a town walk |
| Viviers | A small medieval town | A quiet morning, not a headline day |
| Avignon | Palace of the Popes; base for Pont du Gard and Châteauneuf-du-Pape | Whether Pont du Gard and the tasting are included |
| Arles | Roman amphitheater and Van Gogh’s town | Whether you disembark here or in Tarascon |
| The Camargue | Wetlands, horses and bull farms | Included (Tauck’s ranch lunch) or a paid option (CroisiEurope’s jeep tour) |
Direction changes the ending, not the route. Sail southbound, from Lyon to Provence, when you want to finish in Arles or Avignon and continue to the Riviera or a Provence stay. Sail northbound when you want to end in Lyon and take the train to Paris. Viking, AmaWaterways and Avalon publish both directions for 2027; the Scenic and Emerald sailings in my table sail south.
When to Go: Spring, Autumn or Summer Heat
April to June and September to October are the months I recommend. Spring brings markets, fresh produce and milder touring days in Arles and Avignon. Autumn brings the grape harvest in Beaujolais, the Mâconnais and the Rhone vineyards, and the price shows it: Emerald’s Sensations of Lyon & Provence costs $5,622 for September 25, 2027, against $3,128 in early April.
Peak summer is the trade-off month. Provence is hot, and the walking days in Arles, Avignon and Pont du Gard are exposed. Scenic’s late-August 2027 sample date is its lowest fare at $5,333. I would take that saving only if you handle heat well and plan to rest through the afternoons.
Lavender season does not line up with the classic Rhone months. Provence’s tourism board puts bloom on the Valensole plateau from mid-June to mid-July, near Avignon in early July and around Sault from July into August. Those fields are inland, not on the river. An April or October cruise will not show you lavender in bloom, and a June or July cruise shows it only if the line includes a drive to the fields. If lavender is the reason for the trip, plan a few land days in Provence in early July and accept the heat.
Rhone vs Rhine vs Seine
| Traveler | Rhone and Saone | Rhine | Seine | My verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First European river cruise | Strong | Excellent | Strong | Rhine |
| Food, wine and regional cooking | Excellent | Strong | Strong | Rhone |
| Castles and dramatic river scenery | Weak | Excellent | Weak | Rhine |
| Paris, Normandy and D-Day history | Weak | Weak | Excellent | Seine |
| Already sailed the Rhine or Danube | Excellent | Weak | Strong | Rhone |
| France beyond Paris | Excellent | Weak | Strong | Rhone |
If you are still choosing between the other two, my Seine vs Rhine river cruise and Rhine vs Danube river cruise comparisons cover those decisions in full.
Paris, Provence and Riviera Extensions
Paris by TGV. Avignon is 2 hours 40 minutes from Paris by TGV and an hour from Lyon. Paris works at either end: before a southbound sailing, or after a northbound one that finishes in Lyon. Tauck builds Paris into the trip, and Avalon sells Burgundy & Provence versions with two nights in Paris.
Provence. Finish southbound in Arles or Avignon and stay on for Aix-en-Provence, the Luberon or, in early July, the lavender country.
The Riviera. Scenic’s Idyllic Rhône ends with a transfer to Nice, and Avalon sells Burgundy & Provence versions with two nights in Nice. Emerald’s spring sailings transfer to Marseille instead, so add the Riviera yourself after Marseille.
My Recommendation
If you have done the Rhine or Danube and food and wine are the reason for this trip, I would compare AmaWaterways and Avalon first, then hold Emerald’s April 3, 2027 departure as the value benchmark. Choose Tauck when you want Paris and every tasting handled. Choose CroisiEurope when a French ship, included drinks and a euro fare matter more than an American-style program. Before deposit, confirm three things on the exact departure: whether it stops in Burgundy, whether Pont du Gard and Châteauneuf-du-Pape are included, and where you disembark.
Related River Cruise Guides
- Compare all the routes in my best European river cruises guide.
- See where the Rhone fits among food-focused trips in best cruise lines for foodies.
- Weigh Tauck’s handled style in my Tauck river cruises guide.
- Compare two of the Rhone’s wine-focused lines in AmaWaterways vs Avalon.
Plan Your Rhone River Cruise
I compare the exact departure, stops, inclusions, cabin and extension before you deposit. Schedule a complimentary river cruise consultation, and we will choose the line, month and direction together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Rhone river cruise line?
For food and wine, I start with AmaWaterways for its spring 2027 Celebration of Wine departures, or Avalon for its Mâconnais Chardonnay tasting. Choose Tauck at $7,890 when you want Paris and every tasting included, Emerald from $3,128 on April 3, 2027 for value, and CroisiEurope from €1,655 for a French operator with drinks included.
What is the best month for a Rhone river cruise?
April to June and September to October are the best months. Choose late June or early July only if lavender bloom is the reason for the trip, and add land days inland because the fields are not on the river and Provence is hot in peak summer.
Is the Rhone or Rhine better for a first river cruise?
The Rhine is better for a first river cruise built around castles, scenic sailing and several countries. Choose the Rhone first only when food, wine, Burgundy and Provence matter more to you than dramatic river scenery.
How much does a Rhone river cruise cost in 2027?
As of 2026-10-26, published 2027 lead fares per person are €1,655 on CroisiEurope (July 13), $2,599 on Viking, $3,128 on Emerald (April 3), $3,976 on Avalon (October 26), $5,333 on Scenic and $7,890 on Tauck. AmaWaterways does not publish its 2027 Rhone fares online, so price it on a written quote for your exact date.
Which direction should I choose for a Rhone river cruise?
Sail southbound, from Lyon to Provence, when you want to continue to Provence or the Riviera. Sail northbound when you want to finish in Lyon and take the train to Paris. Viking, AmaWaterways and Avalon publish both directions for 2027.