Cruise · 9 nights · with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Rivers, Harbours & Vineyards of France
A nine-night cruise on Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral, sailing from Southampton with two days in Bordeaux and a scenic passage along the Seine between Rouen and Honfleur.
- Duration
- 9 nights
- Departs
- 12 Sep 2027
- Sails from
- Southampton
- Returns to the same port
- Ship
- Balmoral
- From
- £1,149
- per person, sharing
Highlights
What makes this one worth it
Two days alongside in Bordeaux city centre
Scenic cruise along the River Seine past châteaux
Visits to La Pallice and nearby La Rochelle
Stops at the medieval city of Rouen
Call at the harbour town of Honfleur
About the trip
This nine-night cruise with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines begins and ends in Southampton, taking in several French ports along the western coast and up the Seine. After a day at sea, the Balmoral docks at La Pallice, the port for La Rochelle, a port town known for its Renaissance harbour towers and cobbled streets.
Two days ashore in Bordeaux allow for a measured pace around its wide boulevards and access to nearby vineyards. The ship then follows the Seine inland, gliding past châteaux and the gently rolling Normandy countryside. Stops at Rouen and Honfleur offer contrasting glimpses of the region: Rouen’s medieval streets and Joan of Arc history versus the fishing harbour charm and half-timbered houses of Honfleur.
For those tempted, a short trip from Rouen can take in Paris, visible as a romantic detour rather than the main event. This route is as much about the changing landscape of rivers and harbours as it is about the places themselves, all comfortably aboard a ship small enough to turn in fjords, without ever feeling lost among the crowd.
- 1 Southampton
- 2 Bordeaux
- 3 Rouen
- 4 Honfleur
Itinerary
The route, day by day
Day 1
Southampton, England
Day 2
At sea
Day 3
La Pallice (for La Rochelle), France
Day 4
Bordeaux, 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 Rivers, Harbours & Vineyards of France?
- Rivers, Harbours & Vineyards of France is a 9 nights cruise holiday.
- Where does Rivers, Harbours & Vineyards of France depart from?
- Rivers, Harbours & Vineyards of France departs from Southampton.
- Who operates Rivers, Harbours & Vineyards of France?
- Rivers, Harbours & Vineyards of France is operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines aboard Balmoral.
- How much does Rivers, Harbours & Vineyards of France cost?
- Prices for Rivers, Harbours & Vineyards of France start from £1,149, 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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