Itinerary
- Day 1
Lyon
You'll arrive in Lyon and board the Scenic Sapphire for your river cruise adventure. After settling into your luxury suite, spend the afternoon however you like - relax on the Sun Deck and take in views of France's third-largest city, or explore the ship at your own pace. There's no rush on this first day, so get comfortable and adjust to your new floating home.
- Day 2
Lyon
Start with breakfast in the Crystal Dining room, then you've got four options for your morning. Walk through Lyon's historic traboules (passageways) and visit Notre Dame Basilica, or head to the medieval village of Perouges if you prefer something quieter. There's also a silk painting workshop if you're interested in learning a local craft, or a guided cycling tour to Tête d'Or Park for something more active. Later that evening, the ship cruises along the Saône River toward Mâcon.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at Crystal Dining)
Included Activities
- Breakfast at Crystal Dining
- Personal butler coffee service to suite
- Guided tour of Lyon including traboules and Notre Dame Basilica (Freechoice option)
- Excursion to Perouges medieval village (Freechoice option)
- Silk Painting Workshop (Freechoice option)
- Guided cycling tour to Tête d'Or Park (Freechoice option)
Landmarks Notre Dame Basilica Tête d'Or Park Perouges - Day 3
Mâcon
You'll wake in Mâcon, a charming town right on the river. Pick your morning activity from four choices: tour the Beaujolais wine region with a local vintner to learn about the area's famous wines, visit the medieval town of Cluny with its remarkable Abbey, explore Château de Cormatin for a glimpse into aristocratic life, or visit an organic goat cheese farm where you can try fresh cheeses. Each option gives you a different angle on the region's character.
Included Activities
- Beaujolais wine region tour with local vintner tasting (Freechoice option)
- Visit Oingt in the Land of Golden Stones (Freechoice option)
- Excursion to Cluny and Cluny Abbey (Freechoice option)
- Excursion to Château de Cormatin with guided tour (Freechoice option)
- Goat Farm Visit with tasting and locally produced wine (Freechoice option)
Landmarks Cluny Abbey Château de Cormatin Oingt - Day 4
Vienne
The ship heads downstream on the Rhône River to Vienne, which has 2,000 years of Roman history layered throughout. You can choose between a walking tour that focuses on the well-preserved Roman Theatre and other sites, or a cycling tour if you want to cover more ground and see Roman temples, ruins, and the scenic Ile Barlet. Either way, you're getting a sense of how important this city was to the Romans.
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Vienne with Roman Theatre (Freechoice option)
- Cycling tour of Vienne and Saint-Romain-en-Gal (Freechoice option)
Landmarks Roman Theatre of Vienne Temple of Augustus and Livia Saint-Romain-en-Gal Ile Barlet - Day 5
Viviers
You'll arrive in Viviers, a medieval town that feels like it's stopped in time. Your morning offers three paths: walk through town with a guide to see the Cathedral of St. Vincent and other architectural gems, take a French Resistance walking tour to learn about the area's WWII history, or head out on an excursion to nearby Grignan to see its castle and church. After lunch, cruise toward Avignon as the landscape rolls by.
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Viviers with Cathedral of St. Vincent (Freechoice option)
- French Resistance Walking Tour (Freechoice option)
- Excursion to Grignan de Provence with castle and Collegiate Church (Freechoice option)
Landmarks Cathedral of St. Vincent Grignan Castle Collegiate Church of the Holy Saviour - Day 6
Avignon
Avignon, the 14th-century City of the Popes, is your destination today. Pick from four morning activities: a guided walk around the city walls and Palais des Papes, a visit to the ancient Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard, a market shopping and cooking class with the ship's chef if you want hands-on time in the kitchen, or a wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The afternoon's free, so you can explore on your own or rest before the evening's special classical concert at the Pope's Palace.
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Avignon, city walls, and Palais des Papes (Freechoice option)
- Excursion to Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct (Freechoice option)
- Shop with a chef and Scenic Culinaire cooking demonstration (Freechoice option)
- Wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Freechoice option)
- Private classical concert at the Pope's Palace (Scenic Enrich)
Optional Activities
- Visit Le Rocher des Doms for views over city and river
Landmarks Palais des Papes (Pope's Palace) Pont d'Avignon Pont du Gard Le Rocher des Doms Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Day 7
Arles
You'll leave early for Arles, a city Julius Caesar founded with impressive Roman ruins scattered throughout. Your morning has four options: a guided tour covering the amphitheatre Las Arenas and other Roman sites, a trip to Les Baux with its ruined castle and an olive farm to see how olive oil gets made, an onboard painting class if you want to stay on the ship, or a cosmetics workshop at a lavender and essential oil farm where you can learn about Provence's famous herbs.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Arles including Las Arenas amphitheatre (Freechoice option)
- Les Baux and Olive Farm visit (Freechoice option)
- On board painting class (Freechoice option)
- Cosmetics Workshop at lavender/essential oil farm (Freechoice option)
Landmarks Les Arenas (Amphitheatre of Arles) Les Baux Les Alpilles - Day 8
Arles to Nice
Your river cruise ends this morning after a farewell breakfast. You'll transfer from Arles to Nice Airport, where your onward or homebound flight departs. It's the end of the journey, but you're leaving with memories of a week cruising through some of France's most historic and beautiful regions.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Farewell breakfast)
Included Activities
- Breakfast (farewell)
