Bonjour! France – the land of romance, history, and culture – Is a mesmerizing and a must-visit destination for anyone looking to travel the world. France has so much more to offer than the usual tourist attractions! Imagine if you could wander through the streets of Paris and Marseille, sipping on exquisite wines, listening to smooth jazz, and learning about black history and culture all at once. That’s right; we’re talking about taking a French river cruise.
For people interested in travel and adventure, there’s no better way to explore France than through a river cruise. The French rivers offer magnificent countryside views with picturesque castles, romantic chateaus, Roman Ruins, and outstanding vineyards. Imagine yourself gliding along the Rhône River in Provence, taking in the region’s beauty made famous by Van Gogh’s paintings. Or picture yourself on the Seine River traveling past picturesque Montmartre, viewing the city’s iconic landmarks such as the Notre-Dame Cathedral, The Louvre, and Place de la Concorde, all while sipping on a glass of Wine tasting and relaxing in your lavish stateroom.
Jazz Music Afficianodos
For jazz music fans, the festival season in France is a dream come true. Imagine attending the Cannes or Marseille Jazz Festivals featuring some of the best jazz musicians worldwide. However, if the birth of jazz fascinates you, you’ll be thrilled to know jazz in France has roots dating back to the United States during the 1920s. You’ll experience the legacy of Sidney Bechet, the jazz clarinetist and saxophonist who spent his final years in France. Furthermore, you will learn about the 369th Infantry Regiment (Harlem Hellfighters), an all-black infantry unit that fought alongside the French during WWI. The 369th Regiment “Hellfighters Band” introduced jazz to the French during their time there. And to this day, jazz remains a unique cultural connection between France and African American cultures. For more on Jazz culture, also read “A Traveler’s Guide to Marseille’s Diverse Culture: Exploring Black Heritage, Ancient History, Jazz, Food, and Wine“.
France is well known for its wine culture, offering some of the world’s most elegant and sophisticated wine regions. For wine lovers, taking a French river cruise means indulging in delicious French wine as you cruise through the Rhône or explore the world-famous winemaking region of Bordeaux. In addition, you’ll have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit vineyards and indulge in wine tasting in Provence, a wine lovers’ paradise. Provençal Rosés, often described as summer in the bottle, offer a fruity palate that is both refreshing and captivating.
Sidney Bechet, Freddie Moore,
Lloyd Phillips (Gottlieb 00521)
Josephine Baker 1950,
creative commons
Black History Enthusiasts
For Black History enthusiasts, visiting France is an emotional and enriching experience. The Harlem Renaissance brought US Black Culture to France in the early twentieth century. The Harlem Renaissance was a significant cultural movement (1918-1937), in African American literary history, particularly in the creative arts. It aimed to transform the African American experience through art and challenge negative stereotypes imposed on them by society. It had a profound impact on the cultural landscape of the time, and its influence can still be felt today.
Josephine Baker, a Hollywood icon, became an overnight sensation in Paris with her banana skirts and groundbreaking performances. But she was much more than a performer. Josephine Baker was also a philanthropist, a civil rights activist, and a spy for the French Resistance during WWII. Traveling through France, you’ll follow Josephine Baker’s footsteps and admire the legacy of one of the most influential black performing artists of the 20th century. From Montmartre in Paris to the Roman amphitheater in Orange, France bears witness to the contribution of black people all over.
If your idea of a bucket list trip is to enjoy the “good life,” a French river cruise is a trip for you. You’ll enjoy gourmet dining and pampering onboard services that range from spa treatments to exclusive live performances and insider luxury experiences. The city of lights, Paris, is a paradise for luxury travel; the city offers many culinary delights, world-class hotels, and high-end shopping districts, so be spoiled for choice.
Solo Travelers
Suppose you’re a solo traveler or just someone looking for adventure and new experiences; A French river cruise could be the perfect fit. Whether you’re a daring solo adventurer or prefer the comfort of guided tours, a French river cruise provides an exceptional chance to uncover and encounter the finest aspects of France. Although you are traveling solo, you are not truly alone..
An Exclusive Adventure
With Cilla Travel, you’ll join our exclusive “Soulful Epicurean Experience in France for 2025”. – a curated experience celebrating Black Culture throughout France. With an emphasis on Black history, culture, and heritage, and an itinerary that includes major cities and off-the-beaten-track experiences, this once-in-a-lifetime adventure will be a journey of ultimate indulgence. So relax on board the award-winning AmaKristina, while taking in beautiful French landscapes, enjoying live performances, and enriching cultural activities!
Embark on a journey of ultimate indulgence, filled with exquisite amenities, fine dining, lavish staterooms, and enriching cultural activities. Discover the experience of a lifetime! Book now. Space is limited, so don’t miss out & join us aboard “The Soulful Epicurean Experience France 2025.” This specially curated river cruise celebrates the Black culture throughout France! Relax on board the award-winning AmaKristina, enjoying live performances and enriching cultural activities while enjoying beautiful French landscapes.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, France is more than just a romantic destination; it’s a place to explore, indulge and discover. A French river cruise is a unique way to experience the wonders of this fascinating country, from its world-renowned wines, ancient Roman architecture, and electrifying Jazz festivals to the contribution of black people to French culture. So, book your next adventure with Cilla Travel, and let me take care of all the details for you while you experience the journey of a lifetime!
14 Responses
Wine, wine, and more wine! This sounds like a fairytale destination! One of my dreams is to visit France and learn about the culture, and visit all of the museum’s I can find (history is where the magic lies. A French river cruise sounds like the ultimate relaxation and unwinding experience. This will be on my bucket list for next summer! Thank you for taking the time to present such a dreamy destination.
France is definitely what dreams are made of. Thanks for your comments, Stephanie.
This post is so inspiring! I love how it highlights the beauty and culture of France beyond the typical tourist attractions. The idea of taking a river cruise to explore the country is incredibly unique and luxurious. And the fact that the Juneteenth celebration on board The Goodlife & Some Soul River Cruise celebrates black culture throughout France is truly special. I can’t wait to book my next adventure with Cilla Travel and experience all that France has to offer!
Yes, France is so much more than Paris. There is so much history, culture, and music! France is a melting pot of cultures. The US and France have a shared history from colonial times. The southernmost part is on the Mediterranean coast, so it is close to North Africa. Thanks for your comments, Liam!
Oh, Wow. This looks like my ideal holiday. Like a sea cruise but without seasickness, which is a bonus. If you don’t know a country and where to go when on holiday, something like this is ideal as you get a guided tour and you get to learn about all the history of the place at the same time. I had no idea there was such an interesting story around the black culture of the country, so I am going to read up all about that right now.
Definitely Michel. The ride is super smooth. The best part of a river cruise is that you unpack once and visit many cities, towns, villages and even countries!
I love the idea of visiting France and seeing much more than the typical tourist attractions that are usually overcrowded. Enjoying a relaxing river cruise is much more appealing to me, plus you’ll get to see landmarks and attractions that you wouldn’t normally see on land. This cruise sounds like it’s right up my alley, as I am a huge lover of jazz music, time to start planning and saving for next summer!
Jenny, you are so right. There are so many things to do in France other than your typical tourist attractions. France is a diverse country with different climates. France boasts 13 different wine regions. Each produces its own unique varietal based on the climate and soil. Thanks for your comments.
When it comes to traveling to France, there’s no shortage of tourist attractions to visit. However, if you’re looking for a more relaxed and unique experience, a river cruise may be just what you need. River cruises offer a way to see the country from a different perspective, away from the crowds and chaos of traditional tourist destinations. You’ll have the opportunity to see famous landmarks from the comfort of a luxurious boat, taking in the stunning scenery as you cruise down the river.
Herman, you are so right. France offers countless opportunities to explore. And river cruising allows you to do it in comfort and in style. Thanks for your comments.
What a beautiful picture you paint. I love Jazz…and The Blues. It literally brought tears to my eyes, reading about Jazz in France. I know what it means to miss New Orleans, so those heart strings were definitely getting tugged!
Learning about the Hellfighters Band introducing Jazz to France was poignant for me, too. The fact that this connection continues to this day, along with the influence of the Harlem Renaissance, seems especially meaningful.
I never knew Josephine Baker was a spy for the French Resistance. How awesome of her. This makes me love her.
This river cruise sounds AMAZING. Tourists are so boring. Best to do cool things they don’t know about.
Thank you so much for the work you do!
xxoo,
Anna
You are very welcome Anna! What could be better than Jaaz, wine, history and heroes in France. Thanks for you comments.
Thank you for this article. It opened my eyes to one thing I have a big interest in.
I don´t drink, so wine or not is not a thing I look for, but having the possibility to sail and listen to jazz at that same time is very tempting.
Do you know if they regularly change the jazz bands or have, like we call, a husband who has played for a long time? I ask because jazz is a very wide concept, so it would give an idea about what types of jazz there are.
So I will look at this closely! Thank you again for giving me this idea!
Absolutely. The French put twist on American jazz with jazz manouche. You can experience it for yourself by attending outdoor jazz concerts in stunning historic settings like Vienne’s Roman amphitheatre. This summer, catch performances by renowned musicians like Imelda May, Esperanza Spalding, and Earth Wind and Fire, along with workshops for aspiring musicians. Don’t miss the chance to be part of the lively street scene of towns and villages across France where jazz manouche still thrives. Thanks for your comments