Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ Balmoral launched Rouen’s 2026 ocean cruise season with a call on Feb. 17, marking the French port’s first ocean vessel of the year.

The call comes as Rouen confirmed 15 ocean cruise calls and more than 1,100 river cruise calls for 2026, reflecting the port’s growth as a destination and hub to Normandy and Paris, according to Rouen Normandie Tourisme.

Rouen is a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy and ranked eighth in European Best Destinations’ Top 10 Cultural Cities in Europe for 2026.

The port offers cruise guests food festivals, market-to-table tours, and access to Paris alongside medieval highlights.

As the closest Seine River port to Paris, Rouen provides cruise guests a six-hour scenic approach along the Seine Valley, direct access to the medieval city center, and full-day tours to Paris, Giverny and the D-Day beaches.

Evening experiences include the Rouen Cathedral sound and light show, candlelit monument visits and organ concerts at Saint-Ouen Abbey.

During Balmoral’s call, Rouen hosted UK cruise vloggers Tom & Dom Travel, giving them a preview of the city’s historical highlights, UNESCO gastronomy and famous figures including Joan of Arc, Claude Monet and Richard the Lionheart.