Itinerary
- Day 1
Lyon
You'll arrive at Lyon airport and transfer to Scenic Sapphire, your river cruise ship. After settling into your suite, spend the afternoon on the Sun Deck or exploring the ship while taking in views of France's food capital along the water.
- Day 2
Chalon-sur-Saône
The ship heads north into Burgundy wine country, arriving in Chalon-sur-Saône. Pick from visiting wine estates, a guided tour through medieval Beaune and Les Hospices, or exploring WWII and French Resistance history in the town known for its Gothic cathedral and half-timbered buildings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activity (select one)
Optional Activities
- Burgundy wine discovery at local wine estate
- Guided tour of Beaune and Les Hospices de Beaune
- WWII in Chalon-sur-Saône: Life on the Franco-German demarcation line
Landmarks Les Hospices de Beaune - Day 3
Tournus to Tournon
You'll dock in Tournus, a riverside Roman town featuring a Romanesque abbey and several Michelin-starred restaurants. Choose between Château de Cormatin, a cooking demo at Georges Blanc, or a truffle farm visit. In the afternoon, watch a cooperage demonstration about barrel-making before cruising to Tournon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cooperage demonstration (barrel-making craft)
- Scenic Freechoice activity (select one)
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Château de Cormatin
- Georges Blanc cooking demonstration at Vonnas
- Truffle Tasting at local truffle farm
Landmarks Château de Cormatin - Day 4
Tournon
Spend the morning in Tournon, a hillside village in the Northern Rhône Valley wine region. Select from wine tasting, vineyard hiking, a walking tour with castle views, or cycling along the Rhône. The afternoon is free to relax, then you'll enjoy a dessert buffet of local pastries this evening onboard.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Dessert buffet on board from local pâtissier
- Scenic Freechoice activity (select one)
Optional Activities
- Côtes du Rhône wine tasting
- Hiking through the vineyards in Tournon
- Walking tour of Tournon
- Biking along the Rhône (Via Rhona route)
Landmarks Tournon Castle Tain l'Hermitage - Day 5
Avignon
The ship docks in Avignon, the City of the Popes. Try a guided walking tour through historic cobblestone streets, visit the ancient Pont du Gard aqueduct, or kayak beneath it. There's also an exclusive private gala dinner inside the Palais des Papes with classical music if you prefer something special.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activity (select one)
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Avignon
- Excursion to Pont du Gard
- Kayaking at Pont du Gard
- Exclusive Scenic Enrich: Private gala dinner inside Palais des Papes with classical quartet performance
Landmarks Palais des Papes Pont du Gard - Day 6
Avignon
More of Avignon awaits or you can venture out further. Choose wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, explore hilltop villages and Sénanque Abbey in Luberon Valley, shop and cook with a chef at Avignon Market, or discover the Lavender Museum and Roussillon village.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activity (select one)
Optional Activities
- Wines of the Popes – Wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- Excursion to Luberon villages and Sénanque Abbey
- Shop with a chef & Scenic Culinaire cooking demonstration
- Lavender Museum with visit to the village of Roussillon
Landmarks Sénanque Abbey Gordes Roussillon - Day 7
Arles
You'll arrive in Arles, the southernmost stop and gateway to Provence. Founded by Julius Caesar, it's filled with Roman ruins that also inspired Van Gogh. Pick from Provence rosé wine tasting, a guided tour of Arles and its Roman sites, or the immersive Carrières de Lumières digital art space plus the medieval village of Les Baux.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activity (select one)
Optional Activities
- Provence in Pink – Rosé wine tasting
- Guided tour of Arles
- Visit Les Baux with Carrières de Lumières
- Learn about artistic heritage and paint your own masterpiece
Landmarks Carrières de Lumières Les Baux - Day 8
Viviers
After cruising overnight, you'll reach Viviers, an open-air museum where winding lanes remain unchanged for 1,600 years. Walk through the city's architectural treasures including the Cathedral of St Vincent, or take a French Resistance tour. Then pick wine tasting, exploring Ardèche Nature Park and its cave museum, or visiting the provincial town of Grignan.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activities (select one from each group)
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Viviers
- French Resistance Walking Tour
- Côtes du Rhône Villages wine tasting
- Ardèche Nature Park with Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum
- Excursion to Grignan de Provence
Landmarks Cathedral of St Vincent Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Grignan - Day 9
River Cruise
Spend a full day onboard as the ship heads back towards Lyon. Relax with views of the Rhône River, taste local wines at lunch, or join a French cooking lesson. You'll attend an exclusive acapella choir performance in the grand Trinity Chapel, a Baroque room with Carrara marble interior.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Exclusive Scenic Enrich: Acapella choir performance at Trinity Chapel
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting over lunch
- French cooking lesson in Scenic Culinaire
- Spa treatment
- Day 10
Lyon
Your final Rhône day in Lyon, France's culinary capital with over 4,000 restaurants and 20 Michelin-starred places. Choose from a guided coach tour visiting Roman ruins, traboules (secret passageways), and Notre Dame Basilica, or head to medieval Pérouges, or take a silk painting workshop celebrating Lyon's textile history.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activity (select one)
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Lyon
- Excursion to Pérouges
- Silk painting workshop
Landmarks Notre Dame Basilica Pérouges - Day 11
Lyon to Bordeaux
You'll fly from Lyon to Bordeaux on an included flight, then transfer to Scenic Diamond. The crew will welcome you onboard your new river cruise ship for the second leg of your journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 12
Libourne
The ship sails towards Libourne with tranquil riverside scenery along the way. After lunch, you'll visit the World Heritage-listed medieval village of Saint-Émilion and explore its unique Monolithic Church carved directly into limestone. Then dock overnight in Libourne, a 13th-century port and winemaking hub.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Saint-Émilion
Landmarks Saint-Émilion Monolithic Church - Day 13
Fort Médoc
Explore Libourne this morning with options like a guided walking tour of its trading history, vineyard exploration and wine tasting in Saint-Émilion, cycling through the wine region to Château Siaurac with tasting, or a paint and wine class on the Sun Deck. You'll set sail this afternoon for Fort Médoc and dock overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activity (select one)
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Libourne
- Wines and Vineyards of Saint-Émilion
- Biking and tasting at Château Siaurac
- Paint and Pour: Watercolour class with local artist and wine
Landmarks Château Siaurac - Day 14
Fort Médoc
You'll explore the Médoc region, the world's leading red wine producer with 16,000 hectares of vineyards and many legendary châteaux. Choose a coach tour or e-bike adventure through countryside to a prestigious winery for tasting. An exclusive option includes a classical concert at the 13th-century Château d'Agassac.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activity (select one)
Optional Activities
- Médoc wine tasting by coach
- Médoc wine tasting by e-bike
- Exclusive Scenic Enrich: Classical Concert at Château d'Agassac
Landmarks Château d'Agassac - Day 15
Cadillac
The ship sails to Cadillac, a picturesque town founded in 1280 with grand historic buildings. Relax onboard in the morning with a spa treatment or French cooking lesson. After lunch, you'll arrive in Cadillac, home to the historic origins of the Cadillac car through French explorer Antoine de la Mothe.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Spa treatment
- French cooking lesson in Scenic Culinaire
- Day 16
Cadillac
You'll explore the Sauternes wine region, known for sweet, fortified wines. Morning choices include a coach or cycling tour through vineyards to a winery for tasting. Afternoon options feature touring ancient Roquetaillade Castle, cycling through Loupiac wine region with views of Château Benauge, or visiting Château Toulouse-Lautrec to see the famous painter's historic apartments.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activities (select one from morning and one from afternoon)
Optional Activities
- Sauternes by coach
- Sauternes by bike
- Roquetaillade Castle
- Biking in the Loupiac wine region
- Château Toulouse-Lautrec
Landmarks Roquetaillade Castle Château Benauge Château Toulouse-Lautrec - Day 17
Bordeaux
Bordeaux's culinary scene and scenery are waiting. Pick a guided tour highlighting the Gothic cathedral and Place de la Bourse, a cycling tour sampling regional treats like canelé custard cake, or shop with the onboard chef at a local market for a cooking demo. You'll also have an oyster tasting from Arcachon Bay. An exclusive option offers after-hours access to Bassins des Lumières with Champagne.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Oyster tasting from Arcachon Bay
- Scenic Freechoice activity (select one)
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Bordeaux
- Cycling tour of Bordeaux
- Shop with a chef & cooking demonstration
- Exclusive Scenic Enrich: Afterhours access to Bassins des Lumières with Champagne
Landmarks Place de la Bourse Bassins des Lumières - Day 18
Bordeaux to Bourg
Continue exploring Bordeaux with new options. Take a local tram to the interactive Cité du Vin Museum, cruise by motorcycle or sidecar, or join a walking tour of charming Arcachon finishing at Baltard market. The afternoon is free onboard as you sail towards Bourg.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Cité du Vin Museum
- Tour Bordeaux by motorbike & sidecar
- Visit Arcachon with walking tour and Baltard market
Landmarks Cité du Vin Museum Arcachon Baltard Market - Day 19
Bourg
You'll dock in Bourg, a picturesque town on a rocky promontory with a defensive castle and maze of ancient alleyways on the Dordogne. Choose the Carriages Museum inside the castle, a tour of charming Saintes with its 2,000-year history, or a full-day excursion to Cognac including a walking tour, lunch, estate visit and brandy tasting at Rémy Martin.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Bourg with Carriages Museum
- Historic Saintes
- Full day excursion to Cognac
Landmarks Bourg Castle Saintes Cognac Rémy Martin - Day 20
Blaye
You'll arrive in Blaye, home to a World Heritage-listed citadel built to protect Bordeaux. Choose a leisurely walking tour of the charming city, an active walk exploring the citadel's defense system designed by Sébastien Vauban, cycling along the Captain's Road, or a guided visit to the fortified Château de la Roche Courbon with manicured gardens.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Blaye
- Active walking tour of Blaye citadel
- Cycling along the Captain's Road
- Visit Château de la Roche Courbon
Landmarks Citadel of Blaye Château de la Roche Courbon - Day 21
Bordeaux
Your French river cruise concludes this morning in Bordeaux. You'll disembark after breakfast, carrying memories from your time on the Rhône and Garonne rivers through Burgundy, Provence, and Bordeaux wine country.
- Meals
- Breakfast
