Itinerary
- Day 1
Lyon
You'll arrive in Lyon and transfer to the Scenic Sapphire to settle into your suite. Spend the afternoon getting familiar with the ship at your own pace. Head to the Sun Deck for drinks and views, relax in your cabin, or just wander around and see what the ship has to offer.
- Day 2
Chalon-sur-Saône
Start with coffee in your suite or grab breakfast at Crystal Dining while the ship moves toward Chalon-sur-Saône along the Saône River. This Burgundy town has half-timbered houses and a Gothic cathedral to see. You'll pick one of three freechoice activities: a guided tour of Beaune and Les Hospices, visiting a local wine estate, or a WWII history walk along the old Demarcation Line.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Leisurely breakfast at Crystal Dining)
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Beaune and Les Hospices de Beaune
- Local Estate Visit - Burgundy wine tasting
- WWII in Chalon-sur-Saône - Life on the Franco-German demarcation line
Landmarks Les Hospices de Beaune Beaune Cathedral Chalon-sur-Saône Cathedral - Day 3
Tournus
Early departure to Tournus, a riverside Roman town with a beautiful Romanesque abbey. Choose one of three freechoice activities: tour the Château de Cormatin from 1606, try a truffle tasting with a local farmer, or take a cooking class at Georges Blanc's three-Michelin-star restaurant in Vonnas. Later in the day, you'll watch a barrel-making demonstration and learn how this traditional craft connects to winemaking.
Included Activities
- Barrel making demonstration
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Château de Cormatin - guided tour
- Truffle tasting with local farmer
- Cooking class at Georges Blanc restaurant in Vonnas
Landmarks Tournus Abbey Château de Cormatin Georges Blanc Restaurant - Day 4
Tournon
You'll dock in Tournon, a hillside village with a 10th-century castle and terraced vineyards. Pick a morning freechoice activity: walk through Tournon visiting the castle and cross France's oldest suspension bridge to Tain l'Hermitage (home to Valrhona Chocolate), hike through vineyards above the Rhône, or cycle along the river banks. By afternoon, relax with a drink on Tournon Castle's terrace overlooking the Rhône and vineyards.
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Tournon with castle visit
- Hiking through the vineyards in Tournon
- Guided cycling tour along the Rhône
Landmarks Tournon Castle France's Oldest Suspension Bridge Valrhona Chocolate Tain l'Hermitage - Day 5
Avignon
Cruise toward Avignon, the City of the Popes in Provence. This medieval walled city has the Palais des Papes and the famous Pont d'Avignon bridge to see. In the afternoon, select one of three freechoice activities: a walking tour of the historic city and Pope's Palace, an excursion to the ancient Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard, or kayaking along the Gardon River toward Pont du Gard.
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Avignon and Pope's Palace
- Excursion to Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct
- Kayaking at Pont du Gard
Landmarks Palais des Papes Pont d'Avignon Pont du Gard 
- Day 6
Avignon
Explore Provence with its vineyards, lavender fields, and rolling hills. You'll choose from four freechoice options: visit the hilltop village of Gordes and Sénanque Abbey, taste wines at Châteauneuf-du-Pape, see a lavender producer and the village of Roussillon, or go to a local market with the on-board chef to shop and taste before returning for a cooking demonstration. Tonight you'll attend an exclusive classical concert and dinner at the Palais des Papes.
Included Activities
- Exclusive classical concert and dinner at Palais des Papes (Scenic Enrich)
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Luberon villages and Sénanque Abbey
- Wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- Lavender Museum with visit to village of Roussillon
- Shop with a chef and Scenic Culinaire cooking demonstration
Landmarks Gordes Sénanque Abbey Châteauneuf-du-Pape Roussillon 
- Day 7
Arles
Wake in Arles, founded by Julius Caesar around 56 BC and home to the largest number of Roman ruins outside Rome. Pick one of four morning freechoice activities: tour the amphitheatre Les Arenas, visit the medieval village of Les Baux with its light show, learn about olive oil production at a local farm, or create your own lavender cream at a workshop. Afternoons you can explore Arles on your own or join a Van Gogh inspired painting class on board.
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Arles with Les Arenas amphitheatre
- Visit Les Baux with Carrières de Lumières
- Ancestry of the Kitchen - local olive farm experience
- Lavender Fields to Cream - Provence Herbal Workshop
- On-board painting class
Landmarks Les Arenas Les Baux Carrières de Lumières - Day 8
Viviers
Arrive in Viviers, an open-air museum of medieval heritage. Morning freechoice: walk through and see the Cathedral of St. Vincent and architectural treasures, or take a French Resistance walking tour about WWII heroism. Afternoon options include exploring Ardèche Nature Park and the Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum, driving through Ardèche National Park to the Madeleine Caves, or visiting the hilltop castle and Collegiate Church at Grignan de Provence.
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Viviers
- French Resistance Walking Tour of Viviers
- Ardèche Nature Park with Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum
- Ardèche National Park and Madeleine Cave
- Excursion to Grignan de Provence
Landmarks Cathedral of St. Vincent Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum Madeleine Cave Grignan de Provence - Day 9
Lyon
The ship cruises along the Rhône toward Lyon, arriving this evening. Spend the day how you like: use the gym, get a massage at the wellness centre, dine on regional cuisine at Crystal Dining, or take a French cooking class. Enjoy river views from your suite's convertible Scenic Sun Lounge window. Tonight there's an exclusive acapella choir performance at the 17th-century Trinity Chapel.
Included Activities
- Exclusive acapella choir performance at Trinity Chapel (Scenic Enrich)
Optional Activities
- Workout in modern gym
- Massage at wellness centre
- French cooking lesson at Scenic Culinaire
Landmarks Trinity Chapel - Day 10
Lyon
On your final full day in Lyon, the gastronomic capital, choose one of three morning freechoice activities: explore hidden traboules (silk-weaving passageways from the 4th century used in WWII) and visit Notre-Dame de Fourvierre basilica, take a silk painting workshop about the city's silk heritage, or go to the medieval walled village of Pérouges. Afternoons are free to walk Lyon's cobbled streets, eat at local bouchon restaurants, or visit the Paul Bocuse gourmet market. A local pastry chef visits the ship this evening with fine desserts.
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Lyon with traboules and Notre-Dame de Fourvière
- Silk painting workshop
- Excursion to Pérouges
Landmarks Notre-Dame de Fourvière Pérouges Le Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse - Day 11
Departure from Lyon
You'll depart after a farewell breakfast. Lyon marks the end of your cruise and the beginning of memories from your time on the Scenic Sapphire.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Farewell breakfast)
