Uniworld: Your Guide to Rivers of France
- Jason Carter
- Jan 15
- 2 min read
You'll find all of France’s greatest cities on the waterfronts. Paris rises out of the
Seine, Bordeaux sits on the bustling port of the Gironde Estuary, and Lyon lies
on the Rhône. The rivers have been the lifeblood of French culture and
economy for centuries, which also makes them the best way to explore the
country in the modern day. On an all-inclusive, luxury river cruise, you'll stop in
these star cities while also getting to sail by vineyards and small towns
for the full picture of French life.
The Rivers of France
Though it runs right through Paris—for some truly excellent views of the Eiffel Tower, we might add—much of the Seine shows France at the height of its pastoral charm. Orchards, dairy farms, and small villages pepper the countryside that this river flows through on its way to the Normandy coastline.
Twin tributaries of the Gironde Estuary, the Dordogne and the Garonne lay claim to the Bordeaux wine region. The Medoc, dense with Grand Cru-designated château vineyards, and Sauternes, with its honey-sweet wines, are amongst the acclaimed appellations made great by the fertile terroir fed by these two rivers.
The Rhône & the Saône meander their way through Burgundy & Provence, giving life to two of France's primary wine-growing regions along the way. People have settled along the banks of these rivers for thousands of years, filling the streets of such cities as Arles and Avignon with everything from ancient Roman architecture to quaint boutiques.
Can't decide which river sounds the best? Get the best of all worlds with a grand cruise package combining our Paris & Normandy cruise with Burgundy & Provence, Brilliant Bordeaux, or both.
Alternatively, diversify your adventure with additional destinations—think the ultimate wine cruise combining Bordeaux and Portugal's Douro Valley, or a Cruise & Rail journey that will take you past the vineyards of Champagne all the way to Istanbul.
The Super Ships
Our Floating Boutique Hotels™ are designed to reflect the destinations they sail. For the S.S. Joie de Vivre on the Seine, we were inspired by the sidewalk cafes of Paris. The S.S. Catherine takes a cue from the artists who lived and worked in the South of France. Guests onboard the S.S. Bon Voyage will appreciate an intimate onboard wine cave stocked with the region's spectacular vintages.
