Why take a river cruise in France?
France is a much-loved destination for us Brits – just a quick hop across the Channel and you’re in a country that’s chock-full with history and culture, excellent food and wine, iconic architecture and a good dose of romance always drifting on the breeze. It’s got that je ne sais quoi that intrigues us and keeps us going back. And if you ask us – we’re biased, but honest – a river cruise is an incredible way to explore. Picture lazy hours sailing through dreamy landscapes, stopping off at new along the river, showcasing the diversity and beauty of the country.
Art and culture lovers
France, particularly Paris, has been the home of many artists and philosophers over the years. The cobbled streets, pretty buildings, serene tree-lined boulevards and the serene Seine create a romantic atmosphere that has inspired some of the greats. Just walking the streets makes you feel like you’re in a living piece of art. But if you’re after the real thing, you can visit the world-famous Louvre in your free time on our Seine, Paris and Normandy river cruise. You’ll also get to visit the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees and Sacre-Coeur – all iconic, and all great places to immerse yourself in Parisian culture and daily life.
For an even bigger dose of art, our History and Art of the Rhône cruise has been specifically created with art lovers in mind. It showcases a huge array of art, from visiting caves to see prehistoric paintings to appreciating Van Gogh’s masterpieces on another level with a trip to Arles, where he created some of his most beloved works.
History lovers
Our History and Art of the Rhône cruise also, as the name suggests, showcases some of the country’s historic sites. Discover medieval and renaissance treasures with visits to the Palace of the Popes and the Petite Palais Museum in Avignon; and see remarkable Roman ruins in the company of local experts with guided tours of Vienne, including the Cybèle archaeological gardens, and Lyon’s Gallo-Roman Theatre.
If more recently history is more your bag, our Seine, Paris and Normandy river cruise includes a visit to Arromanches, where you’ll visit the British Normandy Memorial. You can see the landing beaches of D-Day and learn more about its history.
In a similar vein, although quite a bit further back in history, is the trip to Bayeux, where you can see the famous Bayeux Tapestry, telling the story of the Norman invasion of Britain in 1066 in glorious detail. Among its 75 scenes are the coronation of Harold following the death of Edward the Confessor and his subsequent demise at the Battle of Hastings, which led to William of Normandy invading England and becoming king. The 230-foot-long tapestry is made up of nine panels of extremely delicate embroidery – gazing at its wonderful depictions of the battle and the period’s architecture, weapons and everyday life, you’ll appreciate why the Bayeux Tapestry is arguably the finest relic of the Middle Ages.
Food lovers
Ahh France, the land of wine, cheese and romance. Now this might be a cliché, but there’s also some truth in it. There are plenty of incredible foodie experiences to be had across the country. Combine this with the fact that our river cruises are known for their world-class on-board cuisine (and the lovely little extra from our free drinks package included on all 2024 and 2025 European river cruises) and you know a river cruise in France is guaranteed to bring some seriously delicious foodie experiences.
On our Burgundy, River Rhône and Provence cruise, we visit Lyon, a city’s that generally acknowledged as the world’s gastronomic capital. You have a guided tour of the city, but also plenty of time to explore at your own pace. Image exploring this colourful – and very pretty! – city on food, stopping into bakeries to indulge in fresh bread and pastries with coffee, or finding a little hole in the wall restaurant where you can find incredible moules frites. Alternatively, you can book yourself into a Michelin-star or Rosette-winning restaurant for a real gourmet treat.
And finally, it would be remiss to visit France without sampling the wine. This cruise also visits Burgundy, and we include a tour of Beaune – its wine capital – where we visit the cellars of a leading traditional winemaker for a tour and tasting. Learn about the winemaking process, the region’s history with wine and how it influences the very tasty drop that’s in your glass!
This is just a taster of what we offer in France.
