By river
River Rhône
Burgundy to Provence — food, wine, and a warmer festive season under the southern French sun.
France · Switzerland · 505 mi (813 km)
Looking for a 2026 Christmas sailing on the Rhône?
Start with the 2026 itineraries we checked, then let an advisor reconfirm the cabin and fare.
The route
Sailing the Rhône
Rhône journeys can connect Lyon, Avignon, and Arles, while longer Rhône–Saône programs may add Burgundy. A regular-season itinerary does not establish that the same trip operates during Advent. Ask an advisor to verify the departure and each city's market calendar; Lyon's Festival of Lights requires its own date check.
Gastronomic and sun-warmed — truffle stalls, foie gras, and Côtes du Rhône vin chaud.
Best for
Food and wine lovers who prefer milder December weather.
Best months
December
Market vibe
Gastronomic and sun-warmed — truffle stalls, foie gras, and Côtes du Rhône vin chaud.
The ports
The markets along the Rhône
From Lyon to Avignon — every market town on a typical Rhône Christmas sailing.
France
Lyon
Lyon, France's gastronomic capital, hosts a Christmas market on Place Carnot during the famous Fête des Lumières festival of lights.
Typical season: Early Dec – late Dec
ExploreFrance
Avignon
Avignon's Christmas market sits before the Palais des Papes (the popes' 14th-century palace), with Provençal santons and Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Typical season: Late Nov – Dec 31
ExploreExample sailings
Best Rhône Christmas sailings
0 example itineraries from the lines that run the Rhône. All are real, published routes — pricing is "from" per person and labeled example.
Example sailings coming soon — ask an expert for current Rhône options.
The operators
Which lines sail the Rhône?
4 cruise lines run Christmas-market sailings on the Rhône. Viking and AmaWaterways are our Top Picks.
Viking River Cruises
The thinking person's river cruise.
Viking's European river cruises combine Scandinavian-style interiors with destination-focused touring. Fares include one shore excursion per port, onboard meals, beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, Wi-Fi, and port taxes. Enrichment lectures and destination performances add context to the journey. Ships and layouts vary by river; compare the actual vessel and cabin rather than assuming every Longship is identical.
Our score
4.6Request pricing
per person · example
AmaWaterways
The heart of the river.
AmaWaterways is a family-owned line known for food-forward dining, several excursion styles, and active choices such as hiking and biking. On European sailings, wine, beer, and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner, along with a daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour; The Chef's Table is included at no extra charge. Its Christmas-market itineraries combine guided touring with time to explore independently. AmaMagna offers an especially spacious Danube experience, while the wider fleet gives travelers a useful range of ship and cabin styles.
Our score
4.7Request pricing
per person · example
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
No two ships alike.
Uniworld is known for individually designed ships, detailed interiors, and broad inclusions. Many drinks, scheduled excursions, and onboard gratuities are included, while selected Masterpiece Collection experiences cost extra. Check the exact vessel and departure for the current inclusion list.
Our score
4.6Request pricing
per person · example
Scenic Luxury River Cruises
All-inclusive to the finest detail.
Scenic combines included Freechoice touring and Enrich experiences with butler service and selected onboard drinks. Balcony suites offer a Scenic Sun Lounge; Standard Suites do not. Compare the category, itinerary, and departure rather than assuming every cabin has the same features.
Our score
4.7Request pricing
per person · example
Explore more
The other six rivers
Netherlands · Germany · France · Switzerland
River Rhine
766 mi (1,233 km)
The classic Christmas-market river — castle-crowned gorges, half-timbered towns, and the densest concentration of markets in Europe.
First-timers who want the iconic, postcard European Christmas experience.
Sailings & marketsGermany · Austria · Slovakia · Hungary
River Danube
1,777 mi (2,860 km)
The other great Christmas-market river — imperial capitals, Baroque towns, and the most sailings of any river in December.
Travelers who want capital-city grandeur and the most date options.
Sailings & marketsGermany
River Main
331 mi (527 km)
The connector between the Rhine and Danube — a quiet, storybook river of half-timbered towns and the Romantic Road.
Travelers on a longer Rhine-to-Danube sailing who want the quiet, authentic Germany.
Sailings & marketsGermany · France · Luxembourg
River Moselle
339 mi (545 km)
The wine lover's Christmas river — impossibly steep vineyards, fairytale castles, and the most picturesque market towns.
Wine lovers and travelers who prefer smaller, prettier towns over grand capitals.
Sailings & marketsFrance
River Seine
482 mi (777 km)
Paris to Normandy — French flair, gourmet markets, and a gentler, more chic Christmas feel.
Francophiles, couples, and travelers who prefer a sophisticated, food-led market experience.
Sailings & marketsPortugal · Spain
River Douro
557 mi (897 km)
Porto's riverside markets and the port-wine estates — the warmest and least-crowded Christmas river.
Travelers who want a milder climate, smaller crowds, and a distinctly Iberian Christmas.
Sailings & marketsReady when you are
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