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Staying in France for the Paris Summer Olympics: 8 ways to see France by cruise

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Eight great ways to see France by ship. Photo / Getty Images

With the Paris Olympics approaching, there’s never been a better time to plan a trip to France and you should extend your stay with a river cruise, writes Tiana Templeman

It’s time to get inspired with these fabulous French cruise sojourns that will have you doing everything from truffle-hunting, exploring battlefields and rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous on the French Riviera.

Paris and the Heart of Normandy | Viking River Cruises

On this round-trip Viking River cruise from Paris , you’ll spend seven memorable nights cruising one of the country’s most famous waterways on a varied all-inclusive itinerary that takes in the World War II history of Normandy’s beaches, the Gothic architecture of Rouen and the medieval castles of Les Andelys. You’ll also have the chance to stroll through the gardens at Claude Monet’s home, where you can view the bridge in his famous lily pond paintings. This epic journey through France combines an appealing mix of history, art, cuisine and the traditions of France’s most captivating countryside.

Priced from NZ$7788 pp twin share. vikingrivercruises.com

France Intensive Voyage | Azamara Cruises

Step aboard Azamara Quest for an all-inclusive nine-night journey along the French Riviera, with a few other European highlights included as a bonus. After embarking in Barcelona, you’ll set sail for France and take in Port Vendres with its Iron Age and Roman history , go on a day trip to Provence to sample the region’s famous food and wine and soak up the atmosphere in St Tropez, where the beautiful people come to see and be seen. On arrival in Nice, fine art museums and laneways beckon, followed by a dip in the Mediterranean in Ajaccio in Corsica. Your cruise ends in Rome , where you can bid goodbye to France and enjoy a taste of La Dolce Vita (the sweet life).

Priced from NZ$3686 pp twin share. azamara.com

French Escapade: Paris to the Riviera | Tauck

Begin your 13-night cruise adventure with dinner at the famous Brasserie Fouquet’s on the Champs-Elysees and enjoy two days exploring Paris in style before you take the TGV train to Lyon, where you’ll board Tauck’s MS Emerald for a trip down the Rhone and Saone Rivers. This river cruise takes in the vineyards which produce some of the world’s most celebrated wines and makes the most of the picturesque French countryside. Along the way, you’ll travel to towns with ancient Roman heritage and stroll along their cobblestone lanes. All meals, drinks and excursions are covered in your fare and there are included tours, like an evening spent at a restored chateau and lunch with a local family at a farm in the Camargue.

From NZ$13,911 pp twin share. tauck.com.au

Active and Discovery on the Seine | Avalon Waterways

Go bike riding through vineyards, canoe through medieval canals, and learn how to make cocktails at the Palais Benedictine, home of the famous herbal liqueur of the same name, on this eight-night round-trip sailing from Paris to Normandy. An overnight stay in Paris is a memorable start to your journey before you travel along the Seine River to Conflans, Vernon, Rouen, Caudebec, and Le Havre. If you love to stay active on holiday but also enjoy the finer things in life, like France’s famous food and wine, this sailing is the perfect choice. Plenty of delights await you onboard as well, with luxurious accommodation , delicious meals, and wine with lunch and dinner included in your fare.

From NZ$5680 pp twin share. avalonwaterways.co.nz

Savour Europe | Regent Seven Seas Cruises

This all-inclusive 10-night round-trip ocean cruise from Southampton in the United Kingdom kicks off with a few days in the Netherlands and Belgium before Seven Seas Navigator arrives in France. You’ll spend a day in Dunkirk, then dock for two nights at the picturesque port of Honfleur for an in-depth exploration of the surrounding area. From here, you’re perfectly placed to take day trips to Paris, visit Rouen or stroll around one of the prettiest port towns in France. The next morning, you’ll arrive in Cherbourg to take in the town’s rich maritime history, then continue to Saint-Malo for day trips through Brittany or to Mont St Michel.

From NZ$7901 pp twin share. rssc.com

Charter a boat or a luxury barge | Le Boat

Whether you love cruising as a couple or as part of a group, a boat or barge charter is a “choose your own adventure” where you can go as you please. Le Boat has a range of boats and barges to suit different types of travellers and budgets. As for itineraries and things to do, you have the waterways of France to choose from and the option to do whatever you wish on this do-it-yourself adventure. You could tour France’s battlegrounds with a historian, enjoy a wine-tasting extravaganza in Bordeaux, explore ancient castles and palaces, go truffle hunting or simply enjoy the view while you cruise.

From NZ$1200 for seven nights per boat. leboat.com.au

Grand France | Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Featuring some of France’s most famous destinations, such as Paris, Normandy, Burgundy and Provence, this grand itinerary sails along three rivers over 14 nights. It’s the ideal journey for couples with different interests thanks to a comprehensive and varied itinerary with excursions such as a tour of the secret apartments at Versailles Palace or Monet’s gardens, foodie adventures, or a war history tour of Normandy’s beaches. With an all-inclusive price, there’s no more to pay unless you’re tempted to buy souvenirs or indulge in France’s famous cuisine. Bicycles and Nordic walking sticks are available onboard and free to use if you would like to explore independently during the trip.

From NZ$11,068 pp twin share. uniworld.com

Champagne Cruise | European Waterways

Taste the history in every glass on this six-night French river cruise that’s a dream come true for food and wine lovers. As you sail along the River Marne on Kir Royale, the newest addition to the fleet, you’ll drop into renowned Champagne houses and explore the region that’s famous for the wine that shares its name. Highlights include a tour of Moet & Chandon, the renowned Champagne house founded in 1743, where you’ll be treated to an exclusive tour of its labyrinth-like cellars and a private tasting. Near the boutique grand cru winery of Frerejean Freres, you’ll learn how viticulturists grow the grapes that make champagne, followed by lunch in the salon of a local wine-growing family. And don’t forget the scenery, which is so stunning that it inspired artists like Renoir to capture its beauty.

From NZ$14,500 pp twin share. europeanwaterways.com

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6 of the best solo cruise lines for single passengers

C ruises are a well-trodden holiday option, offering the opportunity to explore various parts of the world while enjoying the comfort on a hotel on the seas.

And though a cruise with a significant other or the rest of the family is a perennially popular choice, fewer people think of taking the solo option and booking a cruise alone.

But these holidays can be just as rewarding and enjoyable, giving you as much flexibility as you want along with opportunities to meet like-minded travellers and see some of the world’s finest tourist destinations .

Daily activities will keep you entertained while onboard, while organised excursions or solo trips let you see a magnificent range of towns and cities at your leisure. Solo-specific events mean that meeting other travellers is as easy as sitting down to dinner, while you’ll have a comfortable solo cabin to come back to at the end of each day.

If you’ve got the itch to book, we’ve rounded up a selection of the best cruise liners for single passengers below.

Riviera Travel

Riviera Travel operates river cruises around the world, with destinations as far as Egypt and Vietnam . Nevertheless, the focus is on European river cruises , with plenty of packages to the Rhine, Rhone, Seine, Douro and Danube on offer. Packages include return flights, airport transfers and all meals onboard, with an extensive range of excursions and activities including guided tours and on-board folk music shows.

Read more on cruise travel:

• The best Northern Lights cruises
• The best river cruises around the world
• The best winter cruise holidays to book

European river cruises are the only option that Riviera offers for solo travellers, with seven routes that cover the continent’s main rivers. Prices include all the same features as a standard booking – such as excursions, onboard meals and Wi-Fi – but with spacious single occupancy cabins and welcome dinners to help you meet people. Solo bookings also include the ‘superior’ drinks package, which gives guests an extensive selection of alcoholic drinks available both at lunch and between 6pm and midnight. The Rhine and Moselle package is their most affordable, starting in Cologne and taking you to beautiful towns like Koblenz and Rudesheim.

Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages offers adult-only cruises packed with a huge range of activities, from morning yoga classes to evening cabaret. There are plenty of solo cabins – their inaugural ship, Scarlet Lady, has 46 – and itineraries include solo meet-ups, activities and excursions with plenty of opportunities to meet other single travellers.

Packages include food, drink and activities as standard. With only four ships in the fleet, your choice of destination is slightly more limited, though you can still visit picturesque locations in Europe, the Caribbean , parts of Southern Asia and Australia. The Southeastern Caribbean Isles package will take you on a roundtrip from Puerto Rico, stopping in Guadeloupe, Barbados, St Lucia and Antigua.

Tauck claims to have specialised in solo travel for over 90 years, and today this translates to special solo savings and no single supplement on European river cruises. Travellers looking to see the continent ‘solo style’ can benefit from savings of up to £750, and will enjoy more stylish, contemporary ships with fewer guests for an overall more luxurious experience. Trips cover Europe’s main waterways, and prices include all food, drink, activities and shore tours. Choose the Yuletide package between Brussels and Amsterdam for a festive experience at some of the best Christmas markets – and prettiest waterways – on the continent.

Ambassador Cruise Line

Ambassador is a new cruise line where trips begin in cities around the UK , including Liverpool , Belfast, Dundee and Bristol. Both Ambience and Ambition have 89 dedicated cabins set aside for solo travellers, available “at a special single supplement against the equivalent twin fare based on selected single cabin categories”. The operator journeys to a vast range of destinations considering there are only two ships in its fleet, with voyages going as far as Singapore , Brazil and New Zealand.

Ambassador’s cruises contain an extensive programme of activities for solo passengers, including a ‘Welcome Get Together’ and guided tours together with other solo travellers. Other onboard entertainment ranges from West End-style shows to comedy nights, with plenty of opportunities to meet others. If cruising during winter, visit Norway to see wondrous fjords and (possibly) the aurora borealis, with the Land of the Northern Lights package.

Oceania has made considerable investment in providing options for solo travellers, with its newest ship, Vista, containing six 270-square-foot solo cabins that include balconies, premium lounge access and a welcome bottle of champagne. It has fitted its older ships with 14 ‘Solo Staterooms’, all of which offer magnificent sea views.

Oceania voyages make it easy to meet like-minded travellers with solo meet-and-greet events, large mixed dining tables, mixed shore excursions and single-traveller activities such as art classes. Destinations range from the Mediterranean and Scandinavia to South Africa and the tropics, meaning solo travellers have opportunities to see a large portion of the world alone. Book the 14-day  Miami to Tenerife cruise  to experience Mediterranean charm and Caribbean beauty in late March. 

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean say that they do not “have specific pricing for single occupancy” cabins, but that they do offer single cabins on some of their ships, including Brilliance of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas. These cruises “can be reserved by someone cruising alone without the usual single supplement fee”, and they cover an extensive range of destinations, from Europe to the Caribbean and Singapore to Australia.

Passengers can reserve inside studio staterooms, virtual balcony staterooms and super studio ocean view stateroom with balconies, giving them between 101 and 199 square feet of space. Everything else will be the same as usual, meaning you can enjoy the same benefits as every other guests without paying a premium. If departing from the UK, the only tours available take you around Europe; the most extensive is the Mediterranean Cities package, covering Seville, Sardinia, Rome , Lisbon and more.

Read our reviews of the best winter sun hotels

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• Guided tour

River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat

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Equipped with ice-breaking technology, these huge fancy yachts are the only river cruisers running all year around. The round trip journey takes two and a half hours and floats past all the big sights like the White House, Novodevichy monastery and the Kremlin. There’s a large open air observation deck up top, while the main body of the ship houses a restaurant with a dance floor for a romantic post dinner dance. For a particularly romantic experience take one of the evening boats and admire the bright lights of the city skyline at night.

The most relaxing and picturesque tour that Moscow can offer: a great way to see the city center and its main attractions. This is a perfect alternative to exploring the city by car, if you only have time to do sightseeing during weekday rush hours.

Your English-speaking guide is eager to share every bit of their knowledge about the surrounding landscape, the architecture and historical details.

We conduct Moscow river tour on Radisson Flotilla boats all year around!  It’s warm inside during winter months, while there’s air conditioning during hot summer days. You may also treat yourself to drinks, lunch or dinner on board (drinks and food are not included in tour price).

The cost of an excursion with a personal guide for 1 person

Quay at Radisson Collection Hotel

Government Headquarters ("the White House")

Kievsky Railway Central

Novodevichy Convent

Luzhniki Stadium

Academy of Sciences

Monument to Peter I

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Moscow Kremlin

St.Basil's Cathedral

Novospassky Monastery

U-turn and back to Quay at Radisson Royal Hotel

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Who's going.

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European River Cruising

The magic of our award-winning European river cruises goes far beyond the riverboat you're aboard or the landmarks you'll visit. It's in the intimate ambiance and personalized service... the places you'll discover off the beaten path... and in the uncommon access to local culture and exclusive destination driven experiences you can't get on your own, as you experience a true slice of European life and return home transformed.

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Whether you're experiencing the Rhine or the Danube, the Douro, the Rhône, Seine, Maas or Moselle... the magic of our award-winning European river cruises goes far beyond the riverboat you're aboard or the landmarks you'll visit. It's in the intimate ambiance and personalized service... the places you'll discover off the beaten path... and in the uncommon access to local culture and exclusive destination driven experiences you can't get on your own, as you experience a true slice of European life and return home transformed.

What to expect on europe's rivers.

Although there's no better way to explore Europe's great cities, castle-dotted countryside and vineyards by riverboat, situations may arise that are beyond our control. In the event we need to modify your journey for any reason, you can trust that we will make every effort to communicate with you and to preserve your experience.

Portugal's golden Douro River, home to our newest cruises

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Inspired by the destination.

For 90+ years, the Tauck family has had a passion for sailing — aboard small ships and yachts at sea, riverboats along great inland waterways, and at home on the rivers and lakes of Connecticut and New York. When we began blending our land experience with our strong passion for cruising in our first European river cruise back in 1992, we knew that no "ordinary" river cruise experience would do for our guests. We wanted them to travel Europe's rivers in the same beyond-the-ordinary Tauck style they experienced on our land trips. With that in mind, we searched to find a company to partner with that would share our values and our commitment to "do the right thing" by our guests... and found it in another family-owned company, Scylla. Together, we crafted a river cruise experience that was ahead of its time and inspired by the destinations we explore.

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Along the Danube... the Rhine... the Rhône... the Seine... or the Douro... our European river cruises are all about the unique cultural access you'll enjoy wherever we visit... the strong connections you'll make with the people you'll meet... and the traditions and genuine little moments they'll share with you  along the way...

Budapest to amsterdam by riverboat, the romantic rhine: basel to amsterdam, rendezvous on the seine, blue danube: family riverboat adventure, tauck's river cruise guide, european river facts.

Tauck shares the basic facts you need about Europe's rivers – plus the history, culture and more.

What to Expect On Europe's Rivers

Unforeseen circumstances may occur on the rivers of Europe from time-to-time, including high and low water levels. Tauck is always prepared to deal with these eventualities in order to preserve your Tauck experience.

Why Take A Tauck River Cruise

Tauck River Cruising means traveling in good company, exclusive access to cultural experiences, distinctively inclusive pricing and more!

Choosing The Best European River Cruise For You

Tauck's European river cruise guide will help you find the right Danube, Rhone, Rhine, Seine or Douro river cruise for you.

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Choosing The Best French River Cruise For You

La vie est belle — life is beautiful on our best river cruises through France. Dine in enchanting châteaux, visit sun-drenched vineyards, stroll through timeless medieval villages and view painterly landscapes as you follow the Seine to Normandy or the Rhône through the South of France.

Best For First Timers - Impressions From the Seine: Paris to Normandy

Explore the heart of France on our best French river cruise for families. This unforgettable journey along the Seine begins in Paris, where you can sightsee by foot or bicycle, climb the Eiffel Tower and search for clues on an art-inspired scavenger hunt inside Musée du Louvre. As you wind through France's scenic landscape, you'll step into Impressionistic masterpieces on an early-access visit to Monet's Gardens at Giverny. You'll tour the D-Day beaches of Normandy to pay tribute to fallen heroes at Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery. Touching WWII artifacts at the unique D-Day Academy helps put the Allied invasion into context. On your return to Paris, travel back to medieval times in Rouen before the grand finale—a visit to the Château de Versailles. Choices here include a tour of the magical palace and gardens or a guided bike ride that also stops at Marie Antoinette's farm. 

All aboard for hands-on fun. View details for Tauck' France Family Vacation on a riverboat.

Best For Experienced Travelers - French Escapade: Paris to the Riviera

Sample everything the fertile Rhône Valley has to offer on this taste-making and best-rated French river cruise, named the 2018 Winner for Best Culinary Adventure from AFAR Travelers' Choice Awards. Your aperitif is a 2-night stay in Paris at the InterContinental Le Grand, where you'll take a Le Cordon Bleu pastry class before hopping a train to Lyon, considered the "culinary capital of France."   As you travel along the Rhône to Provence, you'll partake in epicurean experiences that range from tasting earthy treasures at a truffle farm to sipping Beaujolais in the actual Beaujolais wine region. Other highlights for food and wine lovers are a wine tasting in Châteaneuf-du-Pape and a private culinary lesson at Scook, Anne-Sophie Pic's cooking school in Valence. And at a Tauck Exclusive gala evening, you'll be a dinner guest of the Duke of Uzès at his 12th-century family castle in Avignon. Bon voyage and bon appétit! View our 10-day Southern France River Cruise .

• Destinations
• Antarctica & the Arctic
• Australia & New Zealand
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• Guest Favorites
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• Small Groups
• Small Ship Cruises
• Awards and Accolades
• Our History
• Tauck Impact
• The Tauck Difference
• The Taucker Blog
• About Tauck
• Media Center
• Tutorial Video
• Agent Connect
• Register Your Agency
• General Information
• Travel Protection
• Newsletter Sign Up
• Order an eGift Card
• Request a Brochure
• Tauck Forums
• Travel and Health
• Travel Updates

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