With France hosting the 2024 Olympics, it is not surprising that the country is now the centre of attention especially among travellers and cruise enthusiasts around the globe.
As Paris takes centre stage various cruise lines have taken this opportunity to offer best-value deals for 2024 and 2025 to experience the country’s storied and iconic waterways like the Seine, Rhine, Rhône, Garonne, and the Loire.
So, in honour of the 2024 Paris Olympics, here is Cruise Passenger’s Top Ten deals to savour the timeless allure of French river cruising.
Table of Contents
7-night Bordeaux to Bordeaux with AmaWaterways
For Francophiles seeking for a short getaway after the Olympics, Amawaterway highlights some French River Cruise Deals via a 7-night Bordeaux to Bordeaux cruise. Explore the highly celebrated vineyards in Linourne, be amazed by the 17th-century citadel in Blaye, taste the finest wine from the Médoc region and so much more. This 7-night voyage in the Garonne River is offered on several dates but the best-value deal is the one offered on September 19, 2024, with a fare rate of AU$6974.23 (US$4,573) from AU$7355.50 (US$4823).
Offer: Total of AU $762.54 (US$500) savings per stateroom.
Itineraries:
Day 1 Bordeaux (Embarkation)
Day 2 Libourne
Day 3 Libourne
Day 4 Blaye – Bourg
Day 5 Cussac-Fort-Medoc
Day 6 Cadillac
Day 7 Bordeaux
Day 8 Bordeaux (Disembarkation)
15-day Rhine & Rhone Revealed with Avalon Waterways
For guests and Francophiles who wish to immerse themselves in the French culture while having a bucketlisted river cruise voyage along the Rhône and Rhine rivers, a 15-day Rhine & Rhone Revealed sailing is definitely the one to beat. This Arles to Amsterdam voyage is offered on several dates but the line’s best-value deal is its 2025 early summer offering scheduled on June 24. This river cruise is offered at AU $10,800 per person from AU $13,800 which allows guests to enjoy a total of AU $3000 per person.
Offer: Total of AU $3000 savings per person.
Itineraries
Day 1 Arles, France
Day 2 Arles
Day 3 Avignon
Day 4 Viviers
Day 5 Tain L’hermitage
Day 6 Lyon
Day 7 Tournus-Chalon-Sur-Saone
Day 8 Chalon-Sur-Saone, Beaune-Basel,
Day 9 Breisach, Germany
Day 10 Strasbourg, France
Day 11 Mainz, Germany
Day 12 Rudesheim-Rhine Gorge
Day 13 Cologne
Day 14 Amsterdam
Day 15 Amsterdam
10-day Savoring France: Paris, Lyon & Provence with Tauck
For guests seeking a memorable river cruising in France accentuated with top-level epicurean delights and culinary adventures and wine tasting, Tauck’s 2025 offering like the 10-day Savoring France: Paris, Lyon & Provence is on top of the bucket list. This MS Emerald-boarded sailing is offered on various dates between April and October. However, the best-value deal is the line’s Spring offering scheduled on April 1 which is priced at AU $10355 (US $6790) per person.
Offer: Best-value rate of AU $10355 (US $6790) per person
Itinerary
Day 1 Paris
Day 2 Paris
Day 3 Lyon
Day 4 Lyon
Day 5 Viviers
Day 6 Arles
Day 7 Avignon
Day 8 Roussillon
Day 9 Tain I’Hermitage
Day 10 Lyon
8-day Brilliant Bordeaux with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
For Francophiles seeking to explore the iconic and storied waterways of France right after the Olympic craze, you may book last-minute deals via Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. The line highlights an 8-day Brilliant Bordeaux where guests and cruise enthusiasts get to explore and experience sailing along three of France’s charming rivers: the Garonne, Dordogne and Gironde in one unforgettable journey. The line’s best-value deal which is scheduled on October 6, 2024, is offered at AU $3,949 from AU $7899 per person. This is part of Uniworld’s 2-for-1 Fares promo which allows guests to enjoy a total savings of AU 3950 per person.
Offer: Total savings of AU $3950 per person.
Itineraries
Day 1 Bordeaux
Day 2 Cadillac
Day 3 Médoc
Day 4 Blaye and Bourg-sur-Gironde
Day 5 Libourne
Day 6 Libourne, Bordeaux
Day 7 Bordeaux
Day 8 Bordeaux
7-night Impressions of the Seine & Paris with AmaWaterways
In the 2024 Paris Olympics, the world witnessed how athletes sailed through the Seine during the opening ceremony. For those who also wish to experience how it is to sail through the Seine River and explore more what it has to offer, AmaWaterways highlights its 2025 offerings via a 7-night Impressions of the Seine & Paris. This voyage allows guests to journey through the world-renowned Gardens d’Acquigny, marvel at the charming cities of Le Havre and Rouen, and also get the chance to visit the famed Monet’s home and gardens in Giverny. This sailing is offered from March to October of 2025 with the line’s best-value deal offered on March 29 at a fare rate of AU$5,989 from AU$6,588 per person. This deal allows guests to enjoy a total of AU $599 savings per guest.
Offer: Total savings of AU $599 per person.
Itineraries
Day 1 Paris
Day 2 Paris
Day 3 Mantes-la-Jolie, La Roche-Guyon
Day 4 Vernon
Day 5 Rouen
Day 6 Caudebec-en-Caux, Le Havre
Day 7 Le Havre
Day 8 Le Havre
15-day Grand France with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises features a meticulously crafted itinerary specifically for culture enthusiasts via a 15-day Grand France sailing that combines exploration and immersion with France’s culture, history, and cuisine. This one-of-a-kind itinerary combines the allure and charm of four of the most sought-after destinations in France- Normandy, Paris, Burgundy, and Provence.
This Arles to Paris voyage is offered with a best-value fare rate of AU $10,599 from AU $11,599 per person scheduled on March 23, 2025. This featured offer allows guests to enjoy a AU$1000 savings per guest. Moreover, River Heritage Club members also get an additional AU$450 savings.
Offer: Total savings of AU $1000 per person.
Itineraries
Day 1 Arles
Day 2 Arles
Day 3 Avignon
Day 4 Viviers
Day 5 Tournon
Day 6 Lyon
Day 7 Beaune
Day 8 Lyon
Day 9 La Roche-Guyon, Vernon, Giverny
Day 10 Rouen
Day 11 Caudebec-En-Caux
Day 12 Rouen
Day 13 Mantes-La-Jolie
Day 14 Paris
Day 15 Paris
8-day Family Fun Along The Seine with Tauck
Tauck’s 8-day Family Fun Along The Seine cruise is ideal for cruisers and travellers who wish to explore everything that’s French while journeying through Northern France via the Seine. This voyage also allows guests to marvel at the stunning gardens of Giverny, the awe-inspiring Claude Monet masterpieces, and experience World War II vibes on the beaches of Normandy. There are six departures available for this cruise in 2025 but the best-value fare rate is the line’s 2025 Summer sailings offered at AU $83723 (US $5490) per person scheduled on July 3, July 2, and July 19.
Offer: Best-value fare rate of AU $83723 (US $5490) per person.
Itineraries
Day 1 Paris
Day 2 Paris
Day 3 Musée Marmottan Monet
Day 4 Monet’s Giverny & Les Andelys
Day 5 Normandy
Day 6 Rouen
Day 7 Château de Versailles
Day 8 Journey home
15-day A Portrait of Majestic France with Uniworld
For certified Francophiles seeking to live and savour the French way of life, this 15-day A Portrait of Majestic France from Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is tailor-made for you. This sailing allows guests and travellers to appreciate and explore the stunning landscapes along the countryside of Southwestern France. Since Uniworld is known for its well-curated and well-planned private excursions, this half-a-month voyage is truly an opportunity to enjoy the best France has to offer. This Bordeaux to Paris deal has several departures in 2025 but the line’s best-value deal is its Spring offering scheduled on April 6 which is offered at AU $11,599 from AU $12,599 per person. This deal allows guests to enjoy an AU $1000 savings per person.
Offer: Total of AU $1000 savings per person.
Itineraries
Day 1 Bordeaux
Day 2 Cussac Fort Médoc
Day 3 Cadillac
Day 4 Blaye, Bourg Sur Gironde
Day 5 Libourne
Day 6 Libourne, Bordeaux
Day 7 Bordeaux
Day 8 Bordeaux
Day 9 La Roche-Guyon, Vernon, Giverny
Day 10 Rouen
Day 11 Caudebec-En-Caux
Day 12 Rouen
Day 13 Mantes-La-Jolie
Day 14 Paris
Day 15 Paris
8-day Paris to Normandy with Avalon Waterways
Avalon Waterways lines up an 8-day Paris to Normandy cruise for cruisers and travellers who love exploring and appreciating historic landscapes, stunning farming regions, and museums. This 8-day roundtrip voyage from Paris is offered with several departures for 2025 but the line’s best-value offering is its Spring offering scheduled on April 1 with a fare rate of AU $5,629 from $6,829 per person. This deal allows guests to enjoy an AU $1200 savings per person.
Offer: Total of AU $1200 savings per person.
Itineraries
Day 1 Paris
Day 2 Vernon
Day 3 Caudebec
Day 4 Caudebec
Day 5 Rouen
Day 6 Conflans
Day 7 Paris
Day 8 Paris
14-night Grand Seine & Bordeaux with AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways features a 14-night Grand Seine & Bordeaux sailing as part of its 2025 river cruise offerings. Guests on this voyage are treated to a two-week journey along four stunning and storied French waterways namely the Seine, Garonne, and Dordogne rivers and the Gironde Estuary. This Paris to Bordeaux cruise is offered at a best-value fare rate of AU$10,628 from AU$11,677 per person scheduled on March 20, 2025. This Spring deal enables guests to enjoy a total of AU $1,049 savings per guest.
Offer: Total of AU $1049 savings per person.
Itineraries
Day 1 Paris
Day 2 Les Andelys
Day 3 Le Havre
Day 4 Le Havre
Day 5 Rouen
Day 6 Vernon
Day 7 Paris
Day 8 Paris, Bordeaux
Day 9 Libourne
Day 10 Libourne
Day 11 Blaye
Day 12 Cussac Fort Medoc
Day 13 Cadillac
Day 14 Bordeaux
