It's easy to feel French when fine wine flows freely at any time of day onboard. Every Uniworld ship is staffed with an expert sommelier, who curates an impressive collection of regional and international wines served onboard. Each night, they’ll do a short presentation on two new bottles, carefully selected to pair with the evening’s dinner menu.
NEVER A DULL MOMENT
For a blissful vacation, our ships likely have just the activity for you. Early risers will appreciate our morning yoga sessions. Chill-on-the-sundeck types can soak in scenic riverscapes with their favorite cocktail. Foodies may want to join a cooking demo. And those looking to dance the night away will find local entertainment in the lounge.
AWARD-WINNING CHEFS
Thanks to the incredible bounty of France, it doesn’t take an expert hand to turn fresh French ingredients— rich butter, flavorful cheeses, world-famous wines and more—into something delicious, but our team of award-winning chefs create masterpieces with every dish.
BOUTIQUE IS BEST
Each ship in our fleet is unique, designed to reflect the destinations they sail. Custom fabrics, distinctive color palettes, and walls filled with original works of art bring France’s passion for beauty alive onboard. Each of our three Super Ship vessels in France offers a completely different, yet equally luxurious, taste of French living.
Your introduction to
NORTHERN FRANCE
Paris, often dubbed the “City of Light,” is a mesmerizing blend of historic grandeur and modern elegance. From the cobbled alleys of Montmartre to the grand Champs-Élysées, Paris encapsulates a timeless allure. But the story doesn’t end here. Venture further to Normandy, where nature, history, and culture blend seamlessly. Cliffs loom over age-old harbors, ancient monasteries cast reflections upon tranquil waters, and every meadow and beach whispers tales of valor, from the Vikings to D-Day landing sites.
Champs-Élysées, Paris
THE NORMANDY BEACHES
Honoring history with our guests
Travel back in time to June 6, 1944, when the Allied forces launched their D-Day invasion of Normandy. On your full-day outing, you’ll visit Normandy’s beaches, with a choice to venture to either the American, British and Commonwealth, or Canadian beaches. After, you’ll partake in a private memorial ceremony—a sentimental remembrance of Operation Overlord.
THE S.S. JOIE DE VIVRE
A FEAST FOR THE SENSES
This ship highlights the culinary and viticultural heritage of France across multiple dining venues, including a casual café modeled after the ones lining Parisian sidewalks and a wine cave that serves up 7-course wine pairing meals.
Awash in rosy shades and dark-polished wood, the S.S. Joie de Vivre captures the refined and romantic side of Paris. Fine antiques, original artwork, and signature accents inspired by 20th-century Parisian design blend seamlessly with modern conveniences.
INNOVATIVE FEATURES
By day, Club L'Esprit is an onboard wellness center with a spa, pool, smoothie bar, and fitness equipment. By night, the pool disappears, a dance floor takes its place, and the whole room transforms into Claude’s, a glitzy bar and entertainment venue.
PARIS & NORMANDY
8 Days • Paris to Paris • S.S. Joie de Vivre
This cruise is designed for history buffs. Walk through the gardens that inspired so many of Monet’s paintings in Giverny. Spend an entire day on the famous Normandy beaches and partake in a private ceremony. You’ll experience the indulgent world of French royalty on a tour of Versailles and French joie de vivre as you follow a local around the much-loved neighborhoods of Paris.
UNIQUELY UNIWORLD
Tee off at the clifftop Golf d’Étretat, on a Let’s Go experience.
Tour Château La Roche-Guyon, a palace carved into the cliffs over the Seine.
Includes at least one MTM Experience
DAY 1
PARIS
Embark
DAY 2
LA ROCHE-GUYON, VERNON, GIVERNY
Let’s Go bike the countryside from Vernon to Monet’s Giverny gardens
DAY 3
ROUEN
Nights Out private concert at Rouen Cathedral
DAY 4
CAUDEBEC-EN-CAUX (HONFLEUR)
Let’s Go golf on the cliffs of the seaside village of Étretat
DAY 5
ROUEN (NORMANDY BEACHES)
Honor the heroes of D-Day at the Normandy beaches
DAY 6
MANTES-LA-JOLIE (VERSAILLES)
Explore the secret apartments of Versailles
DAY 7
PARIS
Paris walking tour of the Latin Quarter
DAY 8
PARIS
Disembark
Étretat, France
Scan code for detailed itinerary information
Uniworld.com/Paris-Normandy
SNAPSHOT
7 Nights Cruising
16 Included Excursions
1 Private Experience
2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
19 Meals (including 1 Welcome Dinner and 1 Farewell Dinner)
DEPARTURES
March – November
OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS
Athens & Santorini (6-Day, post-cruise)
Athens (4-Day, post-cruise)
Paris (3-Day, pre-cruise)
Visit Uniworld.com/Extensions to learn more. Additional fees apply.
CRUISE & RAIL OPTION
15 Days, Istanbul to Paris
Paris, France
Palace of Versailles, France
Rouen, France
Provence, France
Your introduction to
BURGUNDY & PROVENCE
The romance of Burgundy is woven with verdant vineyards, historic monasteries, and iconic dishes like coq au vin and escargot. Further south, Provence beckons with its sun-kissed charm. Think azure skies, fields ablaze with golden sunflowers and purple lavender, and ancient towns where cobblestone lanes echo with age-old legends. From Avignon’s Palais des Papes, a vestige of a time when popes resided outside Rome, to Arles, which once captivated Van Gogh with its beauty, the tapestry of experiences is endlessly enchanting.
HERMITAGE VINEYARDS HIKE
Wine tasting with a view
The vines producing the world-famous Hermitage wines grow on terraced slopes above the Rhône River. Hike along the paths that parallel the rough courses of stone through the vineyards, each one situated to catch the afternoon sun. After you’ve seen how the grapes—primarily Syrah—are grown, taste the fruit that has been transformed by the vintners’ craft into legendary wine.
You’ll never want to leave
THE S.S. CATHERINE
AN ODE TO ARTISTRY
The south of France has long been a hub of fine art, and our ship captures this culture with such spectacular commissioned for Uniworld by ceramic artist Jane duRand, and a lounge that feels pulled straight from the canvas of an impressionist’s garden painting.
If the monarchs of France had ever commissioned a ship, we imagine it would look something like the S.S. Catherine . With enough gold to suit the Sun King and reflective surfaces to rival the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, this ship embraces French opulence in every detail.
ENCLOSED CONSERVATORIES
Deluxe Balcony staterooms and Suites on the Camargue Deck have a special feature: a sectioned-off area where you can draw the curtains and lower your window to create a fully enclosed, open-air balcony.
BURGUNDY & PROVENCE
8 Days • Arles to Lyon • S.S. Catherine
Experience the richness of French culture and cuisine as you sail through the heart of this famous wine region. Follow in the footsteps of Van Gogh on a walking tour of Arles. Learn about the gastronomic history of Lyon as you taste French specialties. This cruise will give you an authentic view of France, with visits to small villages to introduce you to the local way of life.
UNIQUELY UNIWORLD
Immerse yourself in nature and view an ancient Roman aqueduct from a unique angle when you kayak the Gardon River.
Includes at least one MTM Experience
DAY 1
ARLES
Embark (transfer from Marseille airport)
DAY 2
ARLES
Stroll by medieval houses and ancient ruins in Arles
DAY 3
AVIGNON
Visit the impressive Palace of the Popes
DAY 4
VIVIERS
Ardèches Village Day
DAY 5
TAIN-L’HERMITAGE
Scan code for detailed itinerary information
Uniworld.com/Burgundy-Provence
Hike the terraced vineyards of Hermitage for a wine tasting
DAY 6
LYON
Take a Lyon panoramic tour with traboules visit
DAY 7
MÂCON (BEAUNE)
Browse the wares at the market outside colorful Hôtel-Dieu
DAY 8
LYON
Disembark
Lyon, France
Rhône River
Saône River
SNAPSHOT
7 Nights Cruising
10 Included Excursions
5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
19 Meals (including 1 Welcome Dinner and 1 Farewell Dinner)
DEPARTURES
March – November
OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS
Athens & Santorini (6-Day, post-cruise)
Athens (4-Day, post-cruise)
Mediterranean Cassis (3-Day, pre/post-cruise)
Paris (3-Day, pre/post-cruise)
Visit Uniworld.com/Extensions to learn more. Additional fees apply.
Lyon, France
S.S. Catherine Suite Click to play video
Your introduction to
BORDEAUX
The Bordeaux region, crowned by its eponymous city, is a testament to the timelessness of French elegance. Gothic cathedrals, grand estates, and medieval ruins dot a landscape blanketed by some of the world’s most revered vineyards. From the legendary Saint-Émilion to the picturesque Pomerol, Bordeaux is where viniculture becomes artistry. The region’s towns, like Cognac and Libourne, are a beautiful weave of historic streets and squares, all with their unique tales and flavors.
Cathédrale Saint-André, Bordeaux
THE BASSINS DES LUMIÈRES
A private Nights Out experience
Bordeaux’s Port de la Lune is home to a submarine base with a checkered past. Originally built during the German occupation of France in WWII, and later the target of allied bombings, this building has since attracted artists who wish to reclaim the site for beauty and culture. Its stark walls and history have served as a poignant backdrop to artistic installations for decades.
Find serenity aboard THE S.S. BON VOYAGE
DINNER IS SERVED
Travel through the exceptional culinary heritage of the Bordeaux region across several onboard dining venues, including an intimate wine cave, an elegant main restaurant, and a more casual cafe on the sun deck.
The S.S. Bon Voyage epitomizes the elegance and high style of France. Polished wood, shining brass accents, and beautiful tilework can be found throughout the ship. The main lounge is a stylish bar salon inspired by Yves Saint Laurent’s personal villa.
THE ONLY INFINITY POOL ON THE RIVERS
Cool off in the summer sunshine by taking a dip in the eye-catching blue tile pool on the sun deck. The water goes right up to the edge, creating the illusion that the pool blends into the river upon which you are sailing.
BRILLIANT BORDEAUX
8 Days • Bordeaux to Bordeaux • S.S. Bon Voyage
There is no region in the world that is richer in cuisine, more abundant in wine, and more stunning in scenery than Bordeaux. If you want to experience the best kept secret in France, this is the cruise for you. For those who love wine, enjoy some of the best in the world at the critically acclaimed Grand Cru wineries. You’ll feast on traditional French cuisine, from foie gras to oysters.
UNIQUELY UNIWORLD
Delight in an optional Masterpiece Collection cooking lesson and lunch at Château Ambe Tour Pourret.
Venture on a Nights Out after-hours visit to Bassins des Lumières in Bordeaux.
DAY 1
BORDEAUX
Embark
DAY 2
CUSSAC-FORT-MÉDOC, PAUILLAC, BORDEAUX
Private Experience Médoc Châteaux
Route with wine tasting
DAY 3
BORDEAUX, CADILLAC, BLAYE
Private Experience Owner’s tour of Royal Château with Sauternes toast
DAY 4
BLAYE, BOURG-SUR-GIRONDE
Panoramas of Route de la Corniche Fleurie with Blaye Fortress
DAY 6
LIBOURNE, BORDEAUX
Nights Out after-hours at Bassins des Lumières
DAY 7
BORDEAUX
Let’s Go bike through the backstreets of Bordeaux, with a stop for refreshements
DAY 8
BORDEAUX
Disembark
Scan code for detailed itinerary and excursions
Uniworld.com/BrilliantBordeaux
DAY 5
LIBOURNE (SAINT-ÉMILION)
Saint-Émilion walking tour with wine tasting
Saint-Émilion, France
CUSSAC-FORT-MÉDOC
BORDEAUX
Dordogne River
Garonne River
SAUTERNES
PAUILLAC
CUSSAC-FORT-MÉDOC
BORDEAUX BLAYE
SAUTERNES MÉDOC
CADILLAC
BOURG-SUR-GIRONDE
LIBOURNE
SAINT-ÉMILION
SNAPSHOT
7 Nights Cruising
12 Included Excursions
3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
19 Meals (including 1 Welcome Dinner and 1 Farewell Dinner)
DEPARTURES
March – October
Premium Golf Package available on select 2026 sailings.
OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS
Biarritz Basque Country (4-Day, pre-cruise)
Paris (3-Day, post-cruise)
Visit Uniworld.com/Extensions to learn more. Additional fees apply.
Bay of Biscay
Gironde Estuary
Dordogne River
Garonne River
BIARRITZ
Bay of Biscay
Gironde Estuary
Saint-Émilion, France
Bordeaux, France
Click to play video
WINE ROADS OF FRANCE & PORTUGAL
18 Days • Bordeaux to Lisbon • S.S. Bon Voyage & S.S. São Gabriel
Combine two of Europe’s most spectacular viticultural regions in one trip on this ultimate itinerary for wine lovers. The Southern European climates and historic towns of both Bordeaux and Portugal are as complementary as their palettes—expect bold reds and excellent dessert wines, from Sauternes to Port.
UNIQUELY UNIWORLD
Browse the tantalizing wares of the famous farmers market in Libourne, then meet some of the local artisans who contribute to the market.
Tour the ancient rock art of the Côa Valley, some dating back to the Paleolithic period.
Enter a little wine bar in Blaye for an intimate tasting led by the owner, who is also an avid collector of wine, art, and antique cars.
Sample some of France’s best wines during a private tasting at a château on the Médoc route.
DAY 1
BORDEAUX
Embark
DAY 2
CUSSAC-FORT-MÉDOC, PAUILLAC, BORDEAUX
Private Experience Médoc Châteaux
Route with wine tasting
DAY 3
BORDEAUX, CADILLAC, BLAYE
Private Experience Owner’s tour of Royal Château with Sauternes toast
DAY 4
BLAYE, BOURG-SUR-GIRONDE
Panoramas of Route de la Corniche
Fleurie with Blaye Fortress
DAY 5
LIBOURNE (SAINT-ÉMILION)
Saint-Émilion walking tour with wine tasting
DAY 6
LIBOURNE, BORDEAUX
Nights Out after-hours at Bassins des Lumières
DAY 7
BORDEAUX
Let’s Go bike through the backstreets of Bordeaux, with a stop for refreshements
DAY 8
BORDEAUX, PORTO, ENTRE-OS-RIOS
Disembark and fly to Porto, embark ship
DAY 9
PORTO, ENTRE-OS-RIOS
Do as the Locals Do walking exploration of Porto
DAY 10
RÉGUA
Nights Out traditional dinner at a local quinta
Saint-Émilion, France
DAY 11
RÉGUA
POCINHO
BARCA D’ALVA
CASTELO RODRIGO
VEGA DE TERRÓN (SALAMANCA), BARCA D’ALVA
See the prehistoric carvings of the Côa Valley Archaeological Park
DAY 12
VEGA DE TERRÓN (SALAMANCA), BARCA D’ALVA
Visit Salamanca, known as the Golden City
DAY 13
PINHÃO, RÉGUA
Local quinta guided tour with tasting
DAY 14
PORTO (GUIMARÃES)
Guimarães city tour
DAY 15
PORTO, LISBON
Disembark and transfer to Lisbon
DAY 16
LISBON
Take a walking tour through the city
DAY 17
LISBON
Full day at leisure to explore
DAY 18
LISBON
Return home
Gironde Estuary Bay of Biscay
Nights Cruising 3 Nights Touring
Included Excursions 1 Private Experience 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites 41 Meals (including 1 Welcome Dinner and 1 Farewell Dinner)
DEPARTURES
March – October
GRAND ITINERARY
This grand itinerary is a combination of Brilliant Bordeaux and Portugal, Spain & the Douro River Valley
OPTIONAL EXTENSION
Biarritz Basque Country (4-Day, pre-cruise)
Dordogne River
Garonne River
Douro River
GRAND ITINERARIES
Cruise pairings for a longer trip
Explore France from north to south on one of our Grand Itineraries, showcasing multiple beautiful Super Ship vessels and a variety of France’s most attractive destinations—all on one carefree trip!
Our exceptional service and attention to detail will travel with you as you make your way from one cruise to the next. Escorted by a Uniworld representative the entire way, we’ll transport you via first-class high-speed rail and ensure your luggage reaches your room without you having to lift a finger.
A PORTRAIT OF MAJESTIC FRANCE
15 Days • Bordeaux to Paris • S.S. Bon Voyage & S.S. Joie de Vivre
This grand itinerary is a combination of Brilliant Bordeaux and Paris & Normandy .
For more information, visit Uniworld.com/MajesticFrance
GRAND FRANCE
15 Days • Paris to Arles • S.S. Joie de Vivre & S.S. Catherine
This grand itinerary is a combination of Paris & Normandy and Burgundy & Provence
For more information, visit Uniworld.com/GrandFrance
This grand itinerary is a combination of Brilliant Bordeaux , Paris & Normandy and Burgundy & Provence .
For more information, visit Uniworld.com/UltimateFrance
WINE ROADS OF FRANCE & PORTUGAL
18 Days • Bordeaux to Lisbon • S.S. Bon Voyage & S.S. São Gabriel
This grand itinerary is a combination of Brilliant Bordeaux and Portugal, Spain & the Douro River Valley
For more information, visit Uniworld.com/France-Portugal
Palace of Versailles, France
HONFLEUR
English Channel
ÉTRETAT
NORMANDY BEACHES
CAUDEBEC-EN-CAUX
VERNON ROUEN
MANTES-LA-JOLIE
Seine River
GIVERNY
LA ROCHE-GUYON
PARIS
VERSAILLES
Bay of Biscay
Gironde Estuary
PAUILLAC FRANCE
CUSSAC-FORT-MÉDOC
BORDEAUX
CADILLAC
BLAYE
LIBOURNE SAINT-ÉMILION
Dordogne River Garonne River
VIVIERS
BEAUNE
LYON
Saône River
MÂCON
Rhône River
TAIN-L’HERMITAGE
AVIGNON
ARLES
Ligurian Sea
Balearic Sea
MARSEILLE
Douro Valley, Portugal
CRUISE & RAIL: ISTANBUL TO PARIS
15 Days • Istanbul to Paris • S.S. Joie de Vivre & Golden Eagle Danube Express
Wind your way by private train through seven countries on the way to Paris from the inimitable city of Istanbul, then indulge in the luxuries of French living on a Seine River cruise. We’ve composed an exceptional journey by luxury river cruise and private train to highlight these legendary cities and a plethora of lesser-known marvels in between.
UNIQUELY UNIWORLD
Enjoy a private performance by the renowned Vanya Moneva choir, whose stirring voices touched hearts at the Tokyo Olympic Games opening ceremony, inside the magnificent Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
Venture into the depths of Postojna Caves aboard an underground train.
Dine on locally sourced cuisine every night as you sail through Northern France on the S.S. Joie de Vivre and glide through the Alps on the Golden Eagle Danube Express
Includes at least one MTM Experience
DAY 1
ISTANBUL
Arrive
DAY 2
ISTANBUL
Embark the train
DAY 3
SOFIA
Descend into the Crypt of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
DAY 4
BELGRADE
Enjoy an exclusive visit to see Tito’s Train, a historic piece of engineering
DAY 5
POSTOJNA, VIENNA
Visit the Postojna Cave before arriving in Vienna for an evening private concert from the Vienna Supreme Orchestra
DAY 6
VIENNA
Explore the splendors of Vienna in the morning
DAY 7
CHAMPAGNE, PARIS
Take an exclusive vineyard tour before disembarking the train for a hotel stay in Paris
DAY 8
PARIS
Transfer to ship and embark
DAY 9
LA ROCHE-GUYON, VERNON, GIVERNY
Let’s Go Hike on the Crests Trail
DAY 10
ROUEN
Nights Out private concert at Rouen Cathedral
Istanbul, Turkey
DAY 11
CAUDEBEC-EN-CAUX (HONFLEUR)
Let’s Go golf on the cliffs of the seaside village of Étretat
DAY 12
ROUEN (NORMANDY BEACHES)
Honor the heroes of D-Day at Normandy, with a choice to venture to either the American, British and Commonwealth, or Canadian beaches
DAY 13
MANTES-LA-JOLIE (VERSAILLES)
Explore the secret apartments of Versailles
DAY 14
PARIS
Paris city tour
DAY 15
PARIS
Disembark the ship
Paris, France
Postojna, Slovenia
Scan
Nights by Train
Nights Touring
Included Excursions
UNESCO World Heritage Sites 39 Meals (including 1 Welcome Dinner and 1 Farewell Dinner) DEPARTURES
CRUISE & RAIL: PARIS TO ISTANBUL 14 Days, Paris to Istanbul
Begin in Paris with our Seine River cruise before continuing by rail to Istanbul.
Visit Uniworld.com/CR-Paris-Istanbul to learn more.
OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS
Athens & Santorini (6-Day, post-cruise/tour)
Athens (4-Day, post-cruise/tour)
Visit Uniworld.com/Extensions to learn more. Additional fees apply.
STAY A WHILE
Pre- and post-cruise/tour extensions
PARIS
• 2 nights at the Hôtel Napoléon (or similar)
• Breakfast daily
• Opera Garnier Discovery Walk
Available on all France itineraries
ATHENS
• 3 nights at the Athens Capital Hotel (or similar)
• Breakfast daily, 1 dinner
• Home-Hosted Dinner
• Highlights of Athens City Tour
• Taste of Greece Walking Tour
Available on Paris & Normandy, Burgundy & Provence, A Portrait of Majestic France, Grand France, Ultimate France, and Cruise & Rail: Istanbul to Paris
ATHENS & SANTORINI
• 2 nights at the Athens Capital Hotel in Athens (or similar)
• 3 nights at the Orama Hotel or Majestic Hotel in Santorini (or similar)
• Breakfast daily, 1 dinner, and 1 meal during the Santorini cruise
• Highlights of Athens City Tour
• Caldera Cruise
• Santorini Villages with Wine Tasting
Available on Paris & Normandy, Burgundy & Provence, A Portrait of Majestic France, Grand France, Ultimate France, and Cruise & Rail: Istanbul to Paris
Enhance your trip with a 5-star hotel stay, accompanied by a Uniworld tour manager and opportunities to explore with a local guide. Whether you’re looking to start your vacation early or not ready to go home, make it unforgettable with Uniworld.
MEDITERRANEAN CASSIS
• 2 nights at the Hôtel Les Roches Blanches (or similar)
• Breakfast daily
• Dinner at the hotel
• Cassis walking tour
• Vineyard tour with wine tasting
Combinable with Burgundy & Provence, Grand France, and Ultimate France
BIARRITZ BASQUE COUNTRY
• 3 nights at the Hôtel du Palais Biarritz (or similar)
• Breakfast daily
• Biarritz walking tour with market visit
• Biarritz Lighthouse
• Bayonne
• St. Jean de Luz
Combinable with Brilliant Bordeaux
Credit: Shirnett Fleet
Credit: Pierre Yves
Credit: Wesley Bosnic
Credit: Grace Whiteside
See
the best of France
THROUGH THE EYES OF OUR GUESTS AND CREW
Get firsthand insights into what it’s like to sail the rivers of France with Uniworld! Take a look around this page for photos and feedback shared by our guests and crew.
“It was beyond our expectations! Service was consistently outstanding; staff professional and doting; food delicious and plentiful; rooms extremely comfortable; tours and guides in each location superb…..just a fantastic all-around vacation. We’re ready to hop on another boat now!"
– DENA C., PARIS & NORMANDY
“Brilliant cruise from start to finish. Lovely boat with amazing staff providing faultless service of amazing food. Every one of the included excursions were first class. Having taken previous river cruises with several other operators, I can’t wait to sail again with the best, Uniworld."
– ALLISTER B., BRILLIANT BORDEAUX
“Uniworld exceeded our expectations. The staff and service were beyond excellence. The rooms are spacious, beautiful and comfortable. The entire cruise team was professional, courteous, respectful, friendly and overall aimed to please by offering the best guest experience. We will be planning our next Uniworld river cruise very soon."
