Seducing travellers with incredible culture, food, art, and undeniable joie de vivre, it’s hardly surprising that France attracts more than 80 million visitors a year, making it the world’s top tourist destination.
A river cruise down the waterways of France is the perfect way to experience the most visited country in the world. Let Paris tease out your romantic side with a cruise along France's most iconic river, the Seine, enjoying romantic scenery and historic landmarks - including the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. In Normandy, you'll visit sites that changed the course of history - like the D-Day landing beaches - and travel through a charming landscape awash with fragrant cider orchards, half-timbered barns and characterful wooden farmhouses. Of course, there'll be plenty of opportunities to taste the region's delicious apple cider too!
Or perhaps you'll choose the Rhône, its banks are adorned with ancient Roman ruins, medieval castles and quaint French villages. You'll travel through the scenic winelands to the hills of Provence, stopping to explore some of the area's landmarks - like the ancient Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard, the papal palace in Avignon and the historic city of Lyon. As we slip into Burgundy, we'll learn more about the region's wine-producing legacy and taste some of the best red wines in the world - it would be rude not to!
Alternatively, explore France and Germany on a Rhine river cruise, tasting the local kugelhopf as we explore the picturesque houses that line Strasbourg canal and Colmars cobbled streets and half-timbered houses.
Follow expert Tour Managers and local guides on excursions to some of France’s finest locations. Then head back on board, stretch out on the sun on the deck, watching beautiful scenes of yellows and purples pass you by. Dine onboard, tucking into the finest cuisine showcasing an array of local flavours, and toast your days with a glass of champagne - grown in the famous French region - in the company of brilliant, like-minded travellers.
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Burgundy
The Burgundy region is known around the world for its wine, but there’s so much more to see and do than simply sample the local wares. Beaune may be the wine capital of the region but it’s also a stunning medieval town where the Gothic Hôtel Dieu gives you a glimpse of the best of 15th century architecture with its incredible patterned roof tiles. There’s also plenty of picturesque villages to see, including the likes of Meursault, Volnay, Pommard and Gevrey-Chambertin, all of which are important names in the world of wine despite their small size. While cruising through the region, you’ll see renaissance chateaux, medieval abbeys and hilltop villages aplenty, while the Morvan National Park is a natural wonder packed with woodlands and lakes. The Burgundy region may not have many of the most popular tourist attractions in France, but our cruises offer the chance to get to know one of the most special and historic parts of the whole country.
French Riviera
France’s southern coast is famous for its golden beaches and azure seas, as well as the glamour of its cities – making this a perfect place to visit. Live the high life in Monaco with its forests of yachts and mountainside palaces and villas, as well as experiencing its unique history and culture. Nice is just as delightful, with its famous Promenade des Anglais stretching along the Bay of Angels, and its legendary flower market offering blooms and delicacies from across Provence. As well as the beautiful coastal towns and cities there is plenty of natural beauty to admire, including the Gorges du Loup with their cascading waterfalls and stunning mountain scenery.
Normandy
When you’re thinking of things to do in France, history is always a big factor, and Normandy has plenty of notable historical places to visit. The beaches of Normandy will forever be associated with the D-Day landings, as seen in films like Saving Private Ryan, and you can visit them to enjoy both the pleasant modern-day beaches and also to remember those who gave their lives fighting for freedom there over 70 years ago. Going even further back but also commemorating a battle, the Bayeux Tapestry can be found in the Cathedral, depicting William the Conqueror’s invasion of England in 1066. On a more sedate note, Normandy is full of delightful fishing ports, including Honfleur, which you can visit on the Seine, Paris & Normandy River cruise, while Rouen cathedral is a fine example of Gothic architecture which is a must-see on a tour of the beautiful city centre of Normandy’s capital.
Paris
One of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, everybody needs to visit Paris at least once. Whether it’s romance, art, food, architecture or just fun you’re looking for on a city break in France, you can find it all in the capital city on our Paris tour. From the Eiffel Tower to the Arc de Triomphe to seeing the Mona Lisa at the Louvre or wandering the streets of Montmartre, you’ll never run out of things to do in Paris.
Lyon
A treasure in the Rhône Valley, Lyon is one of those French destinations nobody should miss out on. France’s second city is a feast for the eyes and the stomach and a real highlight of our Burgundy, the River Rhône & Provence River cruise. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s full of historical buildings, not least the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, but you’ll mostly want to be checking out the wide variety of culinary treats on offer across the city.
Popular things to do in France include wandering the magical Eden Gardens in Tournon, exploring the wine region of Burgundy, exploring medieval towns and discovering renaissance chateaux, hilltop villages and national parks. Discover the historical sites across Normandy – commemorate the fallen at the beaches associated with the D-Day landings, visit the Bayeux Tapestry
The country’s capital, Paris, is particularly popular for sightseeing with landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Louver Museum, Arc de Triomphe and the Notre-Dame and, a short drive away from the French capital, you’ll find the spectacular Palace of Versailles – a former royal residence, commissioned by King Louis XIV, the Sun King. Considered the ideal against which all European palaces were measured, you can explore the Royal Apartments and see the Royal Opera and Chapel as well as the famous Hall of Mirrors with its 357 mirrors – you’ll want to spend the entire day here.
The currency in France has been the Euro since 1999, it was one of the first countries to adopt the currency.
The seasons in France are similar to the UK. Many consider the best time to visit to be spring, especially May to June, and September when temperatures are warmer. The summer season, between July and August, offers longer, sunnier days – which means more time to explore! - and the temperature averages around the mid-20°C, depending on the region. However, there are a few days each year when this rises above 30°C, depending on the region. The autumn season is milder, yet still warm, offering a mix of cool temperatures and less rain. Winter can be cooler, with temperatures between 0 and 10°C.
Few people could dispute that if you are looking for a gastronomic tour de force, France is the country to visit. Paris is full of both renowned haute cuisine and small cafes with delightful treats and snacks, while Lyon is known as the food capital of the world for good reason, with its cuisine one of the main reasons people flock there. There are more than a thousand eateries in its city centre, which means you’ll never struggle to find something you want to eat, from coq au vin to saucisson de Lyon to marrons glaces. France produces around 8 billion bottles of wine a year, so if you’re a fan, there’s few better places to visit, with so many regions of the country famous for their produce. From Bordeaux to Burgundy to Champagne to Provence, there are vineyards and wineries to visit for a taste of the flavours of those specific grapes and the atmosphere of the region.
The country is (rightfully) protective of its regional produce, it has one of the longest lists of foods protected by PGIs (Protected Geographical Indications), PDOs (Protected Designation of Origin) and TSGs (Traditional Specialities Guaranteed) in the world, a status awarded to food made in a unique way, within a particular area. The list includes Champagne, Brie de Meaux and Alsace honey.
Your bill will likely include a service tip, French waitstaff are paid a full wage and offer benefits similar to the UK so, as in the UK, tipping is not necessary, but it is appreciated. If you enjoyed your meal or appreciated the service, add a tip at your discretion.
Over half the population are Christian, Catholicism, Protestantism, Eastern Orthodoxy and Armenian Orthodoxy. About 30 per cent are of no religion and under 10 per cent are Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist or Sikh.
See more of France without sacrificing luxury a river cruise provides explorers with an intimate way to see its iconic sights and discover hidden gems known only to the locals. Awake somewhere new every day - without having to unpack again and again - and dock right in the heart of each destination. Boasting Parisian landmarks, Provençal vineyards and historic towns and cities, a French river cruise has plenty to tempt the discerning traveller.
