Saône River Cruises From Lyon to Chalon-sur-Saône

Saône River Cruises travel from Lyon to Chalon-sur-Saône or from Chalon-sur-Saône to Lyon in eastern France.

Itineraries on the Saône River almost always include the Rhone River. The two rivers are joined in Lyon, France and extend for nearly 500 miles from Chalon-sur-Saône to Arles. Your French river cruise could begin or end at either port.

Saône River in Lyon, France

The Saône is also linked to canals which connect it to other waterways. Since larger river cruise boats cannot navigate the narrow canals, most river cruises lines don’t offer canal cruise itineraries. River barge boats are used for this type of cruise. 

A few suppliers offer packages that combine the Saône and Rhône Rivers with the Seine River in northern France. The Saône River is connected to the Seine through a canal. Your cruise won’t take you directly from the Saône to the Seine River, though. There will be two cruises on two different ships. After your river cruise ends on one, you’ll be transported to your next destination by motor coach or high-speed rail.

There is another supplier that pairs the Rhine River with the Saône and Rhône Rivers. This follows the same pattern that we just described above. The Rhine River cruise will take you from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Basel, Switzerland. You’ll then be transported to Chalon-sur-Saône for your second cruise beginning on the Saône River.

Chalon-sur-Saone, France on Saône River

Saône River Facts

The Saône River begins in the Lorraine region of eastern France. Although the river is almost 300 miles long it is only navigable upstream for about 233 miles from Lyon. The Saone is connected to 4 rivers – Seine, Rhine, Loire and Marne – through canals.

Saône River Cruise Destinations

Saône River cruises travel through eastern France joining the Rhône River in Lyon.  Cities along the river in addition to Lyon are Chalon-sur-Saône, Tournus, Macon and Trevoux.

A UNESCO World Heritage Sites that could be in your itinerary:

Lyon, France – Historic Site of Lyons

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