French river tourism experienced significant growth in 2025, with passenger numbers rising sharply across the sector, according to data released by Voies Navigables de France (VNF) on April 16, 2026.
The public agency responsible for managing France’s navigable waterways reported that river cruise occupancy rates reached nearly 90% last year, driven by strong demand from European and North American travelers. German tourist numbers increased by 9%, although visitors from the United States and Canada rose by 10% compared to the previous year.
VNF described 2025 as an “excellent year” for inland waterway tourism, citing a clear upward trend in activity across France’s 6,700-kilometer network of rivers and canals—equivalent to 80% of the country’s total navigable routes.
The growth has been particularly pronounced for Batobus, the Seine-based sightseeing service operated by Sodexo Live!, which carried more than 600,000 passengers annually following the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Company officials noted that the global exposure from the Games’ opening ceremony—featuring a parade of athlete-carrying boats along the Seine—provided a lasting boost to visibility and interest.
“The Olympics gave our boats a global spotlight,” said Arnaud Daniel, director of tourism activities at Sodexo Live!, in comments reported after the 2024 Games. Two years later, Batobus continues to benefit from heightened tourist attention, with ticket sales surpassing 700,000 in 2025, up from approximately 600,000 in 2024.
The sector’s expansion is likewise aligned with broader sustainability efforts, as electrification of river vessels and shore power infrastructure advances along France’s quays. VNF highlighted the emergence of “fluvestre” tourism—a blend of river and land-based travel—featuring growing popularity for multi-modal itineraries combining biking, walking, and boating along scenic water corridors.
Industry observers note that the post-Olympic momentum, coupled with rising interest in eco-friendly travel, is helping to reposition France’s inland waterways as a key component of the nation’s tourism appeal, particularly for international visitors seeking authentic, slow-paced experiences.
