4 Best Viking River Cruises in France

Viking River Cruises is among the world’s best river cruise lines. In fact, it basically invented the whole concept singlehandedly, creating a new niche in the cruise market that proved to be super-popular among the cruising audience. This multi-award-winning company offers river cruises all over Europe, but some of their top itineraries run through France. In this post, we wanted to highlight the three best Viking River cruises in France.

4 Best Viking River Cruises in France

France is a nation of rivers. Its major cities originated on riverbanks, at strategic intersections between roads and rivers. Paris was established along the Seine, Strasbourg on the banks of the Rhine and Lyon along the Rhône, just to name a few. France’s riverbanks are also where much of its cultural life happened/happens, from the wineries of Bordeaux to the perfect painting light in Provence.

So, if you really want to experience France at its finest, hop on one of four best Viking River cruises in France.

1. Lyon & Provence Cruise

Provence is one of France’s most famous regions, a place characterized by endless lavender fields, stone buildings, medieval towns, sunflowers and wineries. This is the place of Van Gogh and Cézanne, who with their artwork captured these landscapes forever.

The Lyon and Provence Cruise starts in Avignon and takes you to gorgeous towns like Arles, Viviers and Tournon before ending in Lyon. In Lyon, you’ll have no fewer than three days to explore this spectacular city, which is considered to be France’s culinary center. This 8-day Viking River cruise in France is packed with fun activities and memorable sights, including the Palace of the Popes in Avignon, gastronomy in Lyon, truffle hunting and Beaujolais wine tasting.

• Destinations: Avignon, Arles, Viviers, Tournon and Lyon
• Duration: 8 days
• Price: from $2,199
• Call for exclusive pricing: 866-867-6538

2. Chateaux, Rivers & Wine Cruise

This Bordeaux-to-Bordeaux cruise is absolute perfect to explore France’s premier wine region. You’ll spend eight days sailing through Aquitaine, which at one point was the wealthiest kingdom in all of Europe. This is where you’ll find the most imposing castles and chateaux, some of the world’s most famous vineyards and truly superb seafood.

Offering all sorts of one-of-a-kind experiences, from creating your own cognac to sampling the finest oysters in the country, the Chateaux, Rivers & Wine Cruise will be remembered for the rest of your life. If you’re after wining and dining, this is without question one of the best Viking River cruises in France. Additionally, Bordeaux itself is home to tons of historical architecture and heritage. Paris is the only French city that has more historic monuments!

• Destinations: Bordeaux, Cadillac, Libourne, Bourg and Blaye, and Pauillac
• Duration: 8 days
• Price: from $2,399
• Call for exclusive pricing: 866-867-6538

3. Paris & The Heart Of Normandy Cruise

Anyone who wants to explore the northwest of France should take a close look at this eight-day Paris & the Heart of Normandy cruise. This round-trip voyage from Paris takes passengers through Giverny, the location of quaint farmsteads and glorious gardens. It’s where Claude Monet used to live, thes beautiful landscapes featured abundantly in his paintings. You’ll also pay a visit to historic Rouen, where you can walk in the footsteps of Joan of Arc.

Also included in the itinerary are visits to some of the most iconic World War II D-Day beaches in Normandy, such as Juno Beach, Omaha Beach and Gold Beach. Sailing up and down the seine, you’ll also pass through scenic towns like Les Andelys, known for its Chateau Gaillard, and Mantes-la-Jolie. Of course, they’ll be plenty of chances to sample mouthwatering French cuisine, too.

• Destinations: Paris, Vernon, Rouen, Normandy beaches, Les Andelys and Mantes-la-Jolie
• Duration: 8 days
• Price: from $1,999
• Call for exclusive pricing: 866-867-6538

4. France’s Finest Cruise

For a varied taste—literally and figuratively—of what France has to offer, there’s no better Viking River cruise in France than this one. Its name, France’s Finest Cruise, is not a lie. This 15-day cruise combines two individual cruises by Viking River Cruises: the above-mentioned Paris & the Heart of Normandy and Lyon & Provence cruises.

It allows you to explore Paris and northwestern France, as well as Lyon, the Provence and southeastern France. In terms of variety, it doesn’t really get any better than this. From the urban, cultural delights of Paris and World War II beaches to world-class cuisine in Lyon and Roman history in Provence, this might just be the best “France in a nutshell” cruise in the world.

• Destinations: Paris, Vernon, Rouen, Normandy beaches, Les Andelys, Mantes-la-Jolie, Lyon, Vienne, Tournon, Avignon, Arles
• Duration: 15 days
• Price: from $4,299
• Call for exclusive pricing: 866-867-6538

We’ve selected these four best Viking River cruises in France because of the variety they offer. From wines in the Bordeaux region to art and food in Provence to architecture in history in Paris and Normandy, if you like typical French things, you’ll find plenty of them on one of these cruises.