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Saône River Cruises

The Saône is home to some of France’s most stunning and scenic panoramas and the vital thread linking ancient civilisations like the Roman and Frankish Empires. Discover centuries of history with visits to historic cities like Lyon and Arles with its Romanesque monuments and ruins. Savour the flavours of the legendary vineyards of Burgundy and Beaujolais and enjoy the tranquil beauty of the sunflower and lavender filled fields of Provence. Our luxury cruise packages bring the gastronomic delights of this part of France to your table every day with gourmet cuisine and an unmatched wine list. This is a perfect voyage for history buffs, lovers of fine food and wine or just those who appreciate the simpler things in life like a stunning river view.

Rich Diversity

The Saône offers some of the most diverse sights and port stops of any European cruise with rivers, canals, cities, and villages. Enjoy heritage, history, and architecture interspersed with magnificent landscapes and tranquil scenery. The river is divided into three sections, Haute, Petite, and Grande Saône, and is one of the most beautiful waterways in France.

Discover French Cuisine

Lyon is known as the gastronomic capital of France and forms part of the Saône’s culinary landscape, home to some of the world’s most legendary cuisine and famous wines. This area is steeped in agriculture, with farmers, artisan producers, and sun-drenched vineyards offering a rich food heritage. Explore, smell, and taste the real Burgundy and Provence with port stops that provide food for the soul as well as satisfying your appetite.

Stunning Saône Scenery

Explore two of France’s most beautiful regions, Burgundy and Provence, famed for their natural, unspoiled beauty and rustic charm. Glide the peaceful waters surrounded by the lavender-scented hills of Provence, picturesque countryside, and idyllic, sun-drenched vineyards.

Saône River Cruise Deals

Choose a Saone River Cruise. One of Europe’s hidden gems.

Lyon, Provençal Rhône & the Camargue

Riviera Travel
Departure: January
VISITING: Lyon Macon Chalon , Beaune & Burgundy Ardèche Gorges Avignon , Pont du Gard & Uzès Arles & Les Baux-de-Provence Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, Camargue & Ornithological Park Orange & Châteauneuf-du-Pape
AVG PER PERSON* POA
7 Nights

Burgundy & Provence River Cruise

Uniworld
Departure: Oct to Dec
VISITING: Arles Avignon Viviers Tain – L’Hermitage (Tournon) Lyon Beaune
AVG PER PERSON* £ 2,132
14 Nights

Grand France

Uniworld
Departure: Mar to Oct
VISITING: Arles (EMBARK S.S Catherine) Arles Avignon Viviers Tain-L’Hermitage -Tournon Lyon Mâcon / Beaune Lyon (DISEMBARK) / Transfer to Paris (EMBARK S.S Joie De Vivre) La Roche-Guyon / Vernon / Giverny Rouen Caudebec-en-Caux Rouen – Normandy Beaches Mantes-La-Jolie – Versailles Paris Paris (DISEMBARK)
AVG PER PERSON* £ 7,599

Essence of Burgundy & Provence

AmaWaterways
Departure: Mar to Oct
VISITING: Port of Dijon Chalon-sur-Saône / Tournus Tournus / Macon Macon Lyon / Vienne Viviers Avignon / Arles Arles
AVG PER PERSON* POA
14 Nights

Discover the Rivers of France & Portugal

Emerald
Departure: May to Oct
VISITING: Porto Porto – Pinhão Pinhão – Vega de Terrón Vega de Terrón – Salamanca Pocinho – Régua Régua Porto – Lyon Chalon-sur-Saône – Beaune Lyon Tournon Viviers Avignon Arles Arles – Nice
AVG PER PERSON* £ 6,205
14 Nights

Grand France (Southbound)

Avalon
Departure: Oct to Dec
VISITING: Paris (EMBARK) Vernon / Les Andelys Caudebec Caudebec (excursion to Normandy) Rouen Conflans Paris Paris / Dijon / Beaune / Chalon-sur-Saône Avignon Lyon Arles Tournon / Viviers Tournus
AVG PER PERSON* £ 5,029
7 Nights

Burgundy & Provence (Southbound)

Avalon
Departure: Oct to Dec
VISITING: Chalon-sur-Saône (EMBARK) Tournus Lyon Tournon / Viviers Avignon Arles Arles (DISEMBARK)
AVG PER PERSON* £ 1,661
10 Nights

Burgundy, the River Rhône, and Provence River Cruise with Lake Geneva and Golden Pass Extension

Riviera Travel
Departure: January
VISITING: Avignon Arles & Ponts du Gard Ardèche Gorges & Tournon Vienne Beaune & Burgundy Lyon Annecy Chillon Castle & Lausanne Glacier 3000 & Golden Pass Lausanne or Montreux
AVG PER PERSON* £ 2,298
10 Nights

Sensations of Lyon & Provence with Nice

Emerald
Departure: October
VISITING: Lyon (EMBARK) Chalon-sur-Saone / Beaune Lyon Tournon Viviers Avignon Arles Arles / Nice Nice
AVG PER PERSON* £ 2,854
10 Nights

Spectacular South of France

Scenic
Departure: October
VISITING: Lyon (EMBARK) Lyon / Chalon-sur-Saône Tournus Tournon Avignon Arles Viviers Cruising to Lyon Lyon Lyon (DISEMBARK)
AVG PER PERSON* £ 2,499
9 Nights

Sensations of Lyon and Provence & Paris

Emerald
Departure: May to Oct
VISITING: Nice Arles Avignon Viviers Tournon Lyon Chalon-sur-Saône – Beaune Lyon (DISEMBARK) Paris
AVG PER PERSON* £ 3,145

A Culinary Experience in Burgundy & Provence (Northbound)

Avalon Waterways
Departure: May to Oct
VISITING: Arles Avignon Viviers Tain-l’Hermitage Lyon Tournus / Chalon-sur-Saône Chalon-sur-Saône
AVG PER PERSON* POA
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Cruise Lines

In collaboration with our trusted cruise partners, explore the beauty of the Saône River. You’ll enjoy five-star service with operators dedicated to the customer experience for the ultimate Saône River Cruise.

Weather on the Saône River

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Saône Weather

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Reasons to Cruise
the Saône River

History and Culture

This beautiful waterway’s languid and tranquil scenery links fascinating towns and picturesque riverside villages. Whether your interest is history, culture, art, or architecture, expert tours and itineraries hand-pick the most important attractions and sites blended with some hidden gems.

Gastronomic Delights

With Lyon as the high spot, guests enjoy a culinary journey through some of France’s best tastes and flavours. Sailing through two legendary wine-growing areas, a rich selection of vintages is always available to accompany local fare and classic regional dishes made by skilled chefs and artisan producers.

SAONE RIVER CRUISE PORTS

Charming villages, historic landmarks and great food make for a brilliant Saone river cruise.

Avignon, France

Lyon, France

Arles, France

Paris, France

Viviers, France

Burgundy, France

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Saône River
Cruise Holidays

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Stunning Scenery

Considered the most beautiful river in France, the Saône takes passengers on a leisurely journey through remarkable and unspoiled scenery, stopping at historic villages, towns, and cities. The river links centuries of history and military might and is a vital thread through the culture and cuisine of this part of southwest France. Enjoy a feast for the tastebuds and the senses with plenty to see and do against a backdrop of peaceful flowing water and unspoiled scenery.

Customer Reviews of
Saône River
Cruises

“A first for us. We’ve sailed the Danube and the Rhine numerous times and wanted something different. This was an amazing voyage, even if you just want to enjoy gourmet food and the views and do nothing else. The history and culture of the port stops are fascinating, but everything is low key and relaxed, just like the river. I don’t think I’ve ever returned from a cruise feeling so refreshed. The ship was luxurious and worth spending a day on board just enjoying all the facilities.”

Sean and Bella, Devizes

“We love this part of France and had seen the river cruises on previous holidays, so we decided it was our turn. Considering how well we know this area, the difference we felt on a river cruise was astonishing. The journey on the water is almost more important than the destinations! The vessel was luxurious, so rather than returning to a hotel every night, we had the joy of river views and beautiful scenery plus the cuisine was five-star. What a revelation!”

Alex and Helen, Portsmouth

“This was a surprise birthday present for my wife as she has always loved the series ‘A Year in Provence.’ Every aspect was spot on, the ship, which was the height of luxury, the gourmet food, and the fabulous staff, and that’s before you even step foot on dry land. It’s a great cruise with something for everyone, and we travelled with a real cross-section of ages. This part of France is beautiful and fascinating, book now, you won’t be disappointed.”

Ethan, Dundee

“Our second European river cruise, and we were so pleasantly surprised. We didn’t think anything could live up to the Danube, but this voyage surpassed our expectations. If you like French food and wine, that alone will tick your boxes, but the scenery is stunning, and the port stops are fascinating. Everything is very relaxed, but there’s lots to see and do, and you can dip in and out as you wish. This is definitely a trip we will do again.”

Lizzie and Rick, Arundel

Trustpilot Reviews

Personal Experience of a crui.se Team Member

Jeremy, Crui.se Expert

Saône River Cruises 2024 & 2025

I’ve cruised all the significant European waterways but never the Saône. Everyone focuses on the Rhine and Danube, but this pretty French river was eye-opening. It’s a very peaceful waterway, so even though you stop at historic towns and cities, the whole cruise has a sense of absolute calm. The pace is leisurely, with tons to explore, but not in an overwhelming way. The scenery is breathtaking, and there’s the opportunity to sample some truly amazing cuisine and wines. This is a cruise that appeals on many levels and will suit a lot of people. The Saône is a little under the radar, so let’s not share the secret too quickly!

Burgundy & Provence River Cruise, Uniworld

Saône River Cruises FAQ

Can I make payments towards my booking balance?

You can make secure payments towards your booking balance on our Payments Page, which accepts all major credit and debit cards. You don’t have to use the same card that you used to pay your deposit.

I want to bring my laptop. Is there internet access on board the ship?

Free Wi-Fi is available on board for all our cruisers and we use a cellular or satellite terminal that usually offers excellent bandwidth and latency. However, sometimes there can be disruptions due to terrain or the weather, but the ship’s staff will always advise you when this happens. We can also help you with your device settings when you are on board.

When will I receive my final documents?

Final documents are sent out 14 days before your embarkation date. Please check the detail carefully to make sure it accurately reflects your booking. You will also receive your personalised embarkation tags.

Do I need a visa for a Saône River Cruise?

You will need a visa, and your friendly booking agent can advise you on how to apply when you make your reservation. Always allow plenty of time for visa approval, as you won’t be able to come on board without it, and there can be delays during busy periods.

Cruise With Confidence

Our mission at crui.se is to help you and your loved one’s book and experience the best cruise holiday imaginable. We’re different in that, our customers come first, not our suppliers or profit margins. Get in touch and let us help you set sail.

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Custom built cruise holidays

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