Itinerary
- Day 1
Paris
You'll arrive in Paris and get settled into your accommodation. The afternoon and evening are free for you to wander around and see whatever interests you - the Eiffel Tower, the Seine River, and Champs-Élysées are all there if you want to check them out on your own time.
Optional Activities
- Explore Paris independently
- Visit Eiffel Tower
- Walk along the Seine River
- Stroll the Champs-Élysées
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Seine River Champs-Élysées - Day 2
Paris
After breakfast, you can pick from a few guided tour options or explore Paris at your own pace. There's a coach tour to see the city's main monuments and districts, or you could walk through the artistic streets of Montmartre and see its historic vineyard and village atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Paris: coach tour through scenic districts, Seine River, Palais Garnier, Louvre, Les Invalides
- Secrets of Montmartre: walking tour of cobblestone streets, Montmartre vineyard, artist district
Landmarks Palais Garnier Louvre Les Invalides Montmartre Montmartre Vineyard - Day 3
Paris to Lyon
You'll have breakfast and then head to the train station to board a high-speed train to Lyon. From there, you'll get on the Scenic Sapphire for your 10-night river cruise. The crew will be there to welcome you aboard and help you settle in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- High-speed train transfer to Lyon
- Embarkation on Scenic Sapphire
- Day 4
Mâcon
You'll cruise leisurely toward Mâcon this morning, taking in the riverside views from your suite as you arrive in this charming Burgundy town. The area is known for its white wines and historic sites, so you have options for how to spend your time. Tour the Renaissance Château de Cormatin if you want to see gilded rooms and gardens, or head to the Michelin-starred Georges Blanc restaurant for a cooking demonstration. If you're interested in something different, you could explore truffle farming and tasting, or walk through the magnificent 10th-century Cluny Abbey.
Optional Activities
- Guided visit to Château de Cormatin Renaissance castle with gilded rooms, moat, water features, and gardens
- Cooking demonstration at Michelin-starred Georges Blanc restaurant in Vonnas village
- Truffle farm visit with farmer and hound, truffle harvesting demonstration, and tasting of truffle butter and chocolate mousse paired with local white wine
- Guided tour of Cluny Abbey (10th-century Benedictine monastery) with village exploration and granary visit
Landmarks Château de Cormatin Georges Blanc Restaurant Cluny Abbey - Day 5
Vienne
Your ship arrives in Vienne early, a historic town on the Rhône River with Roman ruins and medieval character. You can choose between a guided walking tour of the ancient Roman theatre and historic streets, or a 19 km cycling route through Vienne and surrounding areas. There's also a private wine tasting at a local vineyard featuring prestigious Condrieu and Saint-Joseph wines. The ship heads for Tournon this afternoon.
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Vienne including Roman Theatre (10,000-seat hillside theatre) with gardens, ancient walls, cathedral, and free exploration time
- Easy 19 km cycling tour through Vienne and Saint-Romain-en-Gal exploring Roman ruins, Temple of Augustus and Livia, Rhône River crossing, and Gallo-Roman museum with mosaics
- Private tasting of Condrieu and Saint-Joseph wines at Chavanay vineyard with guided visit
Landmarks Roman Theatre of Vienne Temple of Augustus and Livia Gallo-Roman Museum - Day 6
Tournon
You'll arrive early in Tournon, a hillside village with terraced vineyards, a 10th-century castle, and cobblestone streets worth wandering. Start your morning with a choice: a guided walking tour of the town and castle, a hike through the vineyards above the Rhône learning about local wine production, or a bike ride along the scenic banks toward Glun. After lunch, you have free time to explore or cross France's oldest suspension bridge to Tain l'Hermitage. Later, join an aperitif on the castle terrace overlooking the river, then enjoy a French pastry dessert buffet.
Included Activities
- Aperitif on Tournon Castle terrace overlooking Rhône River and vineyards
- Dessert buffet of French pastries from a local pâtissier
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Tournon town and 10th-16th century castle with free exploration time
- Hiking through vineyards above Rhône River with local wine production learning and tasting
- Biking along Rhône River banks to nearby village of Glun
Landmarks Tournon Castle Tain l'Hermitage - Day 7
Avignon
After lunch, you'll dock in Avignon, the historic City of the Popes surrounded by medieval fortified walls. The former papal capital has a rich history and active arts scene. Pick a guided walking tour of the city walls and UNESCO-listed Palais des Papes, or tour the ancient Roman Pont du Gard aqueduct. You could also do a kayaking experience beneath this engineering marvel. Tonight, there's an exclusive option to dine at the Pope's Palace after closing with classical musicians in the historic papal dining room.
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Avignon including city walls and Palais des Papes (Pope's Palace)
- Guided tour of Pont du Gard ancient Roman aqueduct from the 1st century
- Kayaking on Gardon River beneath Pont du Gard aqueduct
- Exclusive after-hours gala dinner at Palais des Papes with classical trio concert in the papal dining room
Landmarks Palais des Papes Pont d'Avignon Pont du Gard 
- Day 8
Avignon
You'll have the full day in Avignon to explore Provence's gateway. Choose from touring the village of Gordes and visiting Sénanque Abbey, joining the ship's chef for market shopping and a cooking demonstration, visiting a lavender producer and the ochre village of Roussillon, or tasting wine at a Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyard to learn about centuries of Rhône wine tradition.
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Gordes village and Sénanque Abbey with exterior-only visit on Sundays
- Shop with chef at local market and interactive cooking demonstration at Scenic Culinaire cooking school learning regional recipes
- Lavender Museum visit with local producer and guided tour of Roussillon village with ochre cliffs
- Wine tasting at Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyard with Côte du Rhône wine sampling
Landmarks Gordes Sénanque Abbey Roussillon Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Day 9
Arles
You'll spend the day in Arles, the southern edge of Provence. In the morning, pick what interests you most: a guided walk through the ancient Roman amphitheatre, a trip to the medieval village of Les Baux with its light installation, a look at how lavender becomes essential oils, or a cooking class at a local olive farm where you'll learn traditional Provençal dishes. The afternoon is yours to wander around on your own or join the onboard painting class if you want to connect with Van Gogh's artistic side in this part of France.
Included Activities
- Departure from ship for Arles exploration
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Arles with local guide to see Arènes d'Arles Roman amphitheatre
- Visit Les Baux medieval village with Carrières de Lumières immersive visual and musical installation
- Ancestry of the Kitchen experience at local olive farm with olive oil production techniques and traditional Provençal recipes
- Discovery of Lavender farm visit to learn essential oil extraction and create your own lavender perfume (available late June to mid-August)
- On board painting class inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's artistic heritage
Landmarks Arènes d'Arles Les Baux Carrières de Lumières 
- Day 10
Viviers
You'll arrive in Viviers, an open-air museum with 1,600 years of medieval heritage despite its population of just 4,000. This morning, choose a guided walking tour of the Cathedral of St. Vincent and architectural treasures, or a French Resistance walking tour exploring WWII stories. Afternoon options include exploring the Ardèche Nature Park with medieval fortress ruins and the Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum (the world's largest Palaeolithic cave replica), exploring actual caves with rock formations and underground lakes, or a guided trip to the provincial town of Grignan with its castle and Collegiate Church.
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Viviers exploring Cathedral of St. Vincent and architectural monuments with free exploration time
- French Resistance walking tour of Viviers with WWII stories and local heroism
- Ardèche Nature Park exploration with medieval fortress ruins and Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum (largest Palaeolithic cave replica in the world)
- Guided cave exploration in Ardèche Nature Park from Ardèche Gorge to Madeleine Caves with rock formations, stalagmites, stalactites, and underground lakes
- Guided excursion to Grignan de Provence exploring the castle and Collegiate Church of the Holy Saviour with leisure time
Landmarks Cathedral of St. Vincent Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Madeleine Caves Grignan Castle Collegiate Church of the Holy Saviour - Day 11
Rhône River Cruise to Lyon
Today is relaxed as the ship cruises back toward Lyon and you take in the Rhône River views. You can relax on the Sun Deck, use the Salt Therapy Lounge, or take a French cooking lesson. Tonight there's an exclusive Scenic Enrich acapella choir performance in Trinity Chapel, a 17th-century Baroque building with Carrara marble.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- French cookery lesson in Scenic Culinaire (optional activity but mentioned as available)
- Scenic Enrich: acapella choir performance in Trinity Chapel (evening)
Optional Activities
- Relax on Sun Deck
- Salt Therapy Lounge
- French cookery lesson in Scenic Culinaire
Landmarks Trinity Chapel - Day 12
Lyon
You'll arrive in Lyon, France's culinary capital, where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet. Founded by Romans in 43 BC, it became a financial and industrial powerhouse and now has over 4,000 restaurants including 20 Michelin-starred establishments. You can take a guided tour exploring historic traboules (secret passageways) and the Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière, visit the medieval walled village of Pérouges overlooking the Ain River, or try a silk painting workshop learning about Lyon's five-century silk production heritage.
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Lyon exploring traboules and secret passageways (dating to 4th century) and Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourviève with city views
- Excursion to medieval walled village of Pérouges featuring vine-covered stone buildings, cobbled laneways, market square with centuries-old lime tree
- Silk painting workshop learning about Lyon's silk production heritage (dating back five centuries, major 19th-century industry)
Landmarks Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourviève Pérouges - Day 13
Lyon
Your trip ends this morning. You'll say goodbye to your fellow travelers and the Scenic crew, heading home with memories of the food and scenery along the Saône and Rhône rivers.
