Itinerary
- Day 1
Bordeaux
You'll start in Bordeaux and board the Scenic Diamond river cruise. The waterfront here has some great architecture, and it's a nice spot for a walk along the water. You can grab local wine and coffee as you get oriented before the ship departs.
Landmarks Bordeaux Waterfront 
- Day 2
Saint-Émilion
The ship cruises into Libourne, a 13th-century port town. You can relax on the Sun Deck or take an optional French cooking class if that interests you. In the afternoon, head to the medieval village of Saint-Émilion to see its famous wineries and take a guided tour through the underground caves and catacombs, including the Monolithic church carved into rock.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of caves and catacombs beneath Saint-Émilion including Monolithic church
Optional Activities
- French cooking class (Scenic Culinaire)
Landmarks Saint-Émilion Monolithic Church of Saint-Émilion - Day 3
Fort Medoc
You'll have several Scenic Freechoice options to pick from: a walking tour of Libourne's historic harbour, wine tastings at châteaux like Siaurac or Fleur Cardinale, a cycling tour through the wine region, or a Paint and Pour art class on the Sun Deck. Later, the ship sails to Fort Medoc where you'll spend the night docked.
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Libourne
- Wine tasting at Château Siaurac in Pomerol wine region
- Wine tasting at Château Fleur Cardinale in Saint-Émilion countryside
- Biking and wine tasting at Château Siaurac
- Paint and Pour art class with local artist on Sun Deck
Landmarks Libourne Château Siaurac Château Fleur Cardinale - Day 4
Fort Medoc
The Médoc wine region is your focus today, known for producing excellent red wines. Choose between a coach tour or e-bike cycling through the countryside visiting prestigious estates with wine tastings. This evening, you'll attend an exclusive classical concert at 13th-century Château d'Agassac (Scenic Enrich experience).
Included Activities
- Classical Concert at Château d'Agassac (Scenic Enrich experience)
Optional Activities
- Médoc wine tasting by coach
- Médoc wine tasting by e-bike
Landmarks Château d'Agassac - Day 5
Cadillac
You'll cruise towards Cadillac, a charming 13th-century fortified city built around its magnificent château. The city is interesting historically because it's where the Cadillac car name came from, inspired by French explorer Anthony Laumet who established Detroit's Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit back in 1701.
Landmarks Cadillac Château - Day 6
Cadillac
Exploring the countryside around Cadillac gives you several options. In the morning, choose between a coach tour or bike ride through the Sauternes wine region. The afternoon opens up more choices: visit Roquetaillade Castle, cycle through the Loupiac wine region with vineyard views, or tour Château Toulouse-Lautrec, the family home of the famous painter.
Optional Activities
- Sauternes wine region by coach tour visiting Château Rayne Vigneau or Château De Malle
- Sauternes wine region by bike with tasting at Chateau Mayne la Merci Grand Cru Classé estate
- Roquetaillade Castle tour with multi-century architecture and family residence
- Biking in Loupiac Wine Region with views of Château Benauge
- Guided tour of Château Toulouse-Lautrec with historic rooms and artworks
Landmarks Château Rayne Vigneau Château De Malle Chateau Mayne la Merci Roquetaillade Castle Château Benauge Château Toulouse-Lautrec - Day 7
Bordeaux
Back in Bordeaux, you can pick a morning activity from several options: a guided city tour seeing the Gothic cathedral and Place de la Bourse with its Water Mirror, a cycling tour through historic areas with pastry samples, or a market shopping experience followed by a cooking class. Later you'll have an oyster tasting from Arcachon Bay. Tonight brings exclusive after-hours access to Les Bassins de Lumière with champagne and an immersive art installation.
Included Activities
- Fresh oyster tasting from Arcachon Bay (on board)
- Les Bassins de Lumière exclusive after-hours visit with champagne (Scenic Enrich experience)
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Bordeaux by coach and foot including Gothic cathedral and Place de la Bourse
- Cycling tour of Bordeaux
- Shop with a Chef market visit and Scenic Culinaire interactive cooking demonstration
Landmarks Bordeaux Gothic Cathedral Place de la Bourse Les Bassins de Lumière - Day 8
Bordeaux
Continue in the Bordeaux area with another set of choices: the Cité du Vin Museum for interactive wine discovery, a unique motorcycle and sidecar tour through various districts, or a walking tour of Arcachon (bayside town with a seven-kilometre beach and Baltard market). The afternoon is relaxed as you sail towards Bourg while enjoying time on board.
Optional Activities
- Cité du Vin Museum interactive wine discovery tour
- Motorcycle and sidecar tour of Bordeaux districts
- Walking tour of Arcachon with Baltard market visit and beach access
Landmarks Cité du Vin Museum Arcachon Baltard Market Arcachon - Day 9
Bourg
You'll dock in Bourg, a town set on a rocky promontory with ancient alleyways and bell towers along the Dordogne. Pick between a guided tour of the Carriages Museum inside Bourg Castle grounds (including 16th-century passageways), or a full-day excursion to Cognac with a town tour, lunch at a local restaurant, and a tour of the Rémy Martin estate with cognac tasting.
Optional Activities
- Bourg tour with Carriages Museum visit including 16th-century passageway and WWII oil tanks
- Full day excursion to Cognac with walking tour, local restaurant lunch, and Rémy Martin estate tour with cognac tasting
Landmarks Bourg Castle Rémy Martin Estate - Day 10
Blaye
Sailing towards Blaye, you'll see a UNESCO World Heritage-listed citadel built to protect Bordeaux historically. Your options include a walking tour of the charming city, an active tour exploring the citadel's defense system designed by Sébastien Vauban, a cycling tour along the Captain's Road honoring WWI captains, or a guided visit to 15th-century Château de la Roche Courbon with its fortified castle and gardens. After, you'll return to Bordeaux for your final evening on board.
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Blaye
- Active walking tour of Blaye Citadel with Vauban defence system
- Guided cycling tour along the Captain's Road
- Guided visit to Château de la Roche Courbon with castle and gardens
Landmarks Blaye Citadel Château de la Roche Courbon - Day 11
Bordeaux to Paris
You'll take an included flight from Bordeaux to Paris, then board the Scenic Gem for a 10-night cruise along the Seine River. This starts a completely different part of your journey focused on northern France and its rivers.
- Day 12
Les Andelys
The ship cruises towards Les Andelys, a medieval riverfront town on a picturesque Seine bend with Norman-era houses and King Richard the Lionheart's castle ruins overlooking it. You can choose a Medieval-themed hike to Château Gaillard (with Robin Hood-era history), a guided tour of Les Andelys and the castle, or an excursion to Lyons la Forêt (one of France's most beautiful villages surrounded by beech forest) with a local farm cider production demonstration.
Optional Activities
- Medieval-themed hike to Château Gaillard with 'Richard the Lionheart' theme
- Tour of Les Andelys with Château Gaillard
- Excursion to Lyons la Forêt with local farm cider production demonstration
Landmarks Château Gaillard Les Andelys Lyons la Forêt - Day 13
Rouen
Rouen is next, the vibrant Normandy capital with Roman and Viking heritage throughout. Pick from a guided city tour covering the cathedral district, old marketplace and half-timbered houses with Joan of Arc history, an authentically dressed Viking guide tour exploring medieval past, or a photography discovery class. This evening, you'll attend an interactive WWI lecture on 'Day in the Life of Tommy' featuring a uniformed soldier discussing trench warfare.
Included Activities
- Interactive WWI lecture 'Day in the Life of Tommy' with uniformed soldier speaker
Optional Activities
- Rouen city tour including cathedral district, old marketplace, Saint Maclou Quarter, and Joan of Arc history
- Guided tour of Rouen with Rollo the Viking guide
- Photography discovery class with local photographer
Landmarks Rouen Cathedral Saint Maclou Church 
- Day 14
Rouen
You'll choose between full-day excursions exploring WWI history. The Somme Battlefields option visits the Australian National Memorial, Franco-Australian Museum, Newfoundland Memorial Park, and either Lochnagar Crater or Thiepval Memorial. Alternatively, take a culinary tour tasting Normandy's regional produce including soft cheeses and cider. This evening, a local pâtissier visits with finest desserts.
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Somme Battlefields including Newfoundland Memorial Park with Australian National Memorial, Franco-Australian Museum, and Lochnagar Crater
- Excursion to Somme Battlefields including Thiepval with Australian National Memorial, Franco-Australian Museum, Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Thiepval Memorial, and Lochnagar Crater
- Tastes of Normandy regional produce tasting tour featuring soft creamy cheeses, cider, and Calvados
Landmarks Sir John Monash Centre Franco-Australian Museum Lochnagar Crater Newfoundland Memorial Park Caterpillar Valley Cemetery Thiepval Memorial - Day 15
Honfleur
Docking in Honfleur, you'll see a colorful coastal town known as the birthplace of Impressionism. Take a guided walking tour seeing the 15th-century Church of Sainte-Catherine (France's largest wooden church) and the 10-hectare Garden of Personalities with busts of important French figures. This evening brings an interactive WWII lecture about D-Day Landings and Operation Fortitude.
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Honfleur harbour including Church of Sainte-Catherine and Garden of Personalities
- Interactive WWII lecture about D-Day Landings and Operation Fortitude
Landmarks Honfleur Harbour - Le Vieux Bassin Church of Sainte-Catherine Honfleur Garden of Personalities - Day 16
Normandy Beaches
After breakfast in your suite, you'll pick from four D-Day Landings excursions: US-focused visiting Utah Beach and Omaha Beach, UK-focused visiting Bayeux War Cemetery and Arromanches Landing Museum, or Canadian-focused visiting Abbey d'Ardenne and Juno Beach Centre. Alternatively explore Bayeux with its Notre Dame Cathedral and the famous 11th-century Bayeux Tapestry. All day options include lunch at local restaurants.
Optional Activities
- Normandy Beaches excursion including Omaha Beach (US-focused) with Utah Beach memorial, Sainte-Mère-Eglise, Normandy American Cemetery, and Omaha Beach Memorial
- Normandy Beaches excursion including British Normandy Memorial (UK-focused) with Bayeux War Cemetery, Museum of the Battle of Normandy, Arromanches Landing Museum, British Normandy Memorial, Pegasus Bridge & Museum, and Ranville War Cemetery
- Normandy Beaches excursion including Juno Beach Centre (Canadian-focused) with Abbey d'Ardenne, Juno Beach Centre memorial, Bény-sur-Mer Canadian cemetery, and Pegasus Bridge & Museum
- Bayeux tour with Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux and Bayeux Tapestry visit (unavailable September-October due to closure)
Landmarks Utah Beach Omaha Beach Sainte-Mère-Eglise Normandy American Cemetery Bayeux War Cemetery Arromanches Landing Museum British Normandy Memorial Pegasus Bridge Ranville War Cemetery Abbey d'Ardenne Juno Beach Centre Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery Bayeux Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux Bayeux Tapestry - Day 17
Caudebec-En-Caux
You'll dock in Caudebec-En-Caux, a medieval Seine town with handsome riverfront homes and gardens. Choose between an active e-bike tour to Villequier visiting the Victor Hugo Museum, a coach trip to seaside Fécamp for the Benedictine Palace tour and liquor tasting, a walking tour exploring French Resistance stories, or a guided Abbey Road tour visiting Jumièges Abbey ruins and an 11th-century Romanesque Abbey.
Optional Activities
- Active e-bike tour to Villequier with Victor Hugo Museum visit
- Fécamp and Benedictine Palace tour with 19th-century architectural masterpiece and Benedictine liquor tasting
- Tales of the French Resistance walking tour
- Normandy Abbey Road guided tour with Jumièges Abbey and Romanesque Abbey
Landmarks Caudebec-En-Caux Villequier Victor Hugo Museum Fécamp Benedictine Palace Jumièges Abbey - Day 18
La Roche Guyon
Arriving in Vernon, a historic border town, you'll explore nearby Giverny where Claude Monet lived. Take a guided tour of Monet's House and Gardens with its famous Japanese water garden, or a self-guided 5-kilometre e-bike ride to Giverny with free time. You can optionally join an on-board painting class inspired by the gardens. In the afternoon, sail to La Roche Guyon for an exclusive evening: walk to the 16th-century château built into a chalk hillside (Rommel's WWII headquarters), enjoy a drink and classical concert featuring French composers.
Included Activities
- Classical concert at Château de La Roche Guyon (Scenic Enrich experience)
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Monet's House and Garden with coach from Vernon to Giverny
- Self-guided e-bike ride from Vernon to Giverny (approximately 5 kilometres each way)
- On board painting class inspired by Giverny gardens
Landmarks Monet's House and Garden Giverny Château de La Roche Guyon - Day 19
Conflans-Saint-Honoré
You'll wake in Conflans-Saint-Honoré where the Seine and Oise rivers meet, a peaceful town with a 9th-century castle and 11th-century pilgrimage site. Visit Auvers-Sur-Oise where Vincent van Gogh painted final masterpieces including his unchanged attic room from 1890, or take a guided tour of Château de Chantilly (Versailles substitutes if closed on Tuesday). Alternatively visit the Inland Water Transport Museum in Conflans. The afternoon is relaxed as you cruise back to Paris.
Optional Activities
- Visit to Auvers-Sur-Oise with Van Gogh landmarks and room visit
- Chantilly Castle and Gardens guided tour (replaced with Versailles Palace and Garden if closed Tuesdays)
- Musée de la Batellerie (inland water transport museum) active tour in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine
Landmarks Conflans-Saint-Honoré Auvers-Sur-Oise Notre Dame de l'Assomption Church Auvers Château de Chantilly Versailles Palace and Garden Musée de la Batellerie - Day 20
Paris
Back in Paris, you'll choose from morning activities: a guided walking tour of the Marais district's culture and fashion scene, a coach highlights tour visiting the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, and Concorde Square (Notre Dame remains closed since 2019), an Opera Garnier tour (replaced with Montmartre on October 14), or a coach trip to Château Vaux-le-Vicomte with its inspiring formal gardens. Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring Paris on your own.
Optional Activities
- Trendy Marais guided walking tour with local Parisian guide
- Highlights of Paris city tour by coach including Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Concorde Square, and Notre Dame Cathedral
- Opera Garnier guided tour (replaced with Montmartre tour on Oct 14)
- Château Vaux-le-Vicomte coach trip with formal gardens
Landmarks Marais District Eiffel Tower Champs-Élysées Arc de Triomphe Concorde Square Notre Dame Cathedral Opera Garnier Montmartre Moulin Rouge Château Vaux-le-Vicomte - Day 21
Departure
After breakfast, you'll transfer to Paris airport or train station for your onward journey home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
