Cruise · 9 nights · with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
France with Bordeaux & the River Seine
Nine days aboard Fred. Olsen's Balmoral cruising from Southampton to Bordeaux, then along the River Seine with stops in St Malo, Rouen and Honfleur, blending coastal ports with two days in France’s famous wine region.
- Duration
- 9 nights
- Departs
- 19 Jul 2027
- Sails from
- Southampton
- Returns to the same port
- Ship
- Balmoral
- From
- £1,199
- per person, sharing
Highlights
What makes this one worth it
Two days alongside in Bordeaux
Walking the cobbled streets of St Malo
Scenic cruise on the River Seine past châteaux
Visiting Rouen with its famous cathedral
Exploring Honfleur’s old harbour
About the trip
This nine-night cruise on Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral begins and ends in Southampton, heading south across the Bay of Biscay for two days docked in Bordeaux. Tree-lined boulevards, 18th-century architecture and access to the vineyards of Médoc and Saint-Émilion provide a calm contrast to the ship’s steady rhythm.
After Bordeaux, the itinerary turns north to St Malo, the walled Breton port with a jumble of narrow streets and salty air. Balmoral then navigates the River Seine, a stretch of water lined with châteaux and small villages. Rouen offers timber-framed houses and the cathedral famously painted by Monet, while Honfleur is known for its old harbour and slate-roofed houses that artists have favoured for centuries.
Despite a couple of sea days and the slow river progress, the ship’s size means there is room to stretch your legs on deck. There is something reassuring about the steadiness of a route where ports are close enough together to unpack once, yet varied enough that each stop feels like a fresh chapter.
- 1 Southampton
- 2 Bordeaux
- 3 St Malo
- 4 Rouen
- 5 Honfleur
Itinerary
The route, day by day
Day 1
Southampton, England
Day 2
At sea
Day 3
Bordeaux, France
Day 4
St Malo, France
Day 5
River Seine, France
Scenic cruising
Day 6
Rouen, France
Day 7
Honfleur, France
When to go
Departures and prices
Lowest price each month, per person.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines confirms exact dates, availability and prices when you book.
Need to know
Before you book
- Price based on
- Two people sharing a cabinThe operator confirms the exact basis when you book.
- Travelling alone
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Flights
- Not needed if you join at Southampton
- What’s included
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Accessibility
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Cabin
- Interior Room
For full details of what’s included, check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. See the full details on their site
Questions people ask
- How long is France with Bordeaux & the River Seine?
- France with Bordeaux & the River Seine is a 9 nights cruise holiday.
- Where does France with Bordeaux & the River Seine depart from?
- France with Bordeaux & the River Seine departs from Southampton.
- Who operates France with Bordeaux & the River Seine?
- France with Bordeaux & the River Seine is operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines aboard Balmoral.
- How much does France with Bordeaux & the River Seine cost?
- Prices for France with Bordeaux & the River Seine start from £1,199, subject to availability.
The operator
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Smaller-ship cruises, many from UK ports
A Norwegian family name in shipping since the nineteenth century, known for smaller ships that can reach the narrower fjords and harbours.
You book with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines directly. They confirm your place, take payment, and look after you from the moment you leave home; Atlas & Passage’s part ends when you click through.
New to United Kingdom? Our United Kingdom guide has the practical essentials: money, plugs, visas and when to go.
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