Rhône River Water Levels Outlook, Week of September 8, 2025

Published on Jun 22, 2025, 8:22 pm CDTUpdated on Sep 7, 2025, 8:57 am CDT

3 min read

The Rhône is operating normally from Lyon to Avignon, with green vigilance and comfortable water levels at the Avignon gauge. Light showers are expected at midweek, with modest weekly totals that should not affect navigation. Coordinate with your travel advisor to reconfirm docking plans, watch daily gauge updates, and review Cancel For Any Reason windows if you sail within the next two to three weeks.¹²³

Current Conditions

Primary gauge: Avignon (Rhône at Avignon). Latest reading 11.1 ft (3.39 m), normal range data unavailable. Risk level Normal, with green vigilance posted for this station and no system-wide restrictions reported on the Rhône reach used by cruise vessels.¹²⁵

Seven-Day Outlook

Models and local forecasts show a mostly steady hydrograph, with around 0.50 in (13 mm) of scattered rainfall near Avignon across the week. VNF's weekly bulletin lists only localized works and advisories, not network-wide limits on the main Rhône. Seven-day navigation risk call: Normal.³⁵

Three-Week Risk Forecast

Period	Likelihood of Disruption	Confidence
Days 1 to 7	Normal	High
Days 8 to 14	Normal	Medium
Days 15 to 21	Caution	Low

Ensemble guidance signals near-normal precipitation for southeastern France into midperiod, with a low-confidence chance of more frequent Atlantic fronts late. Treat week-three signals cautiously, and confirm CFAR purchase windows and coverage caps before your final payment date.⁴

Cruise-Line Responses

Spokesperson for Viking reports no active notifications on the "Current Sailings" page that would affect Rhône-Saône departures at this time.⁶ Representative for Uniworld states there are no new travel alerts and regular operations continue on Burgundy and Provence itineraries.⁷ A contact for Avalon Waterways indicates no travel updates or alerts currently posted for France sailings.⁸

Traveler Advice

Booked guests this week should expect normal operations at Lyon, Tournon, Avignon, and Arles. Arrive a little early for city-center quays, pack a light rain jacket, and keep cruise apps or emails enabled for day-of timing.

Shopping near-term dates can proceed with confidence while conditions remain stable. Ask your advisor to reconfirm docking 48 hours before embarkation, and verify insurance covers supplier-initiated changes, with interruption limits sized for last-minute hotels or transport.

For trips three or more weeks out, monitor weekly updates as autumn fronts return. Flex your plans with refundable rail for independent time in Lyon or Avignon, and review Cancel For Any Reason options 14 to 21 days before departure.

Methodology

We synthesize Vigicrues station feeds via Sentival, VNF weekly network bulletins, and ECMWF ensemble outlooks, then apply Adept Traveler thresholds; conversions use 1 ft = 0.3048 m exactly.¹⁴⁵⁹

Disclaimer

Forecasts beyond ten days are probabilistic and may change without notice. This information does not constitute financial or insurance advice.