Itinerary
- Day 1
Paris
Your first day in Paris is yours to explore at your own pace. Wander the romantic streets and take in the iconic sights like the Eiffel Tower and Champs-Élysées. You'll soak up the charm of this legendary city on your own schedule.
Landmarks/POIs Eiffel Tower Champs-Élysées Seine River 
- Day 2
Paris
After breakfast, you'll choose your own Scenic Freechoice experience. Either take a guided coach tour through the City of Light to see landmarks like the Palais Garnier and the Louvre, or explore the artistic streets of Montmartre with its historic vineyard.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Paris via coach through scenic districts and monuments, including Seine River, Palais Garnier, the Louvre, and Les Invalides complex
- Secrets of Montmartre walking tour including cobblestone streets, artist district history, Montmartre greenspace, and Montmartre vineyard
Landmarks/POIs Palais Garnier Louvre Les Invalides Montmartre Montmartre Vineyard - Day 3
Paris to Lyon
Following breakfast, you'll transfer by high-speed train to Lyon and then board the Scenic Sapphire for a 10-night cruise along the Saône and Rhône rivers. The journey begins as you settle into your river cruise experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer via high-speed train to Lyon
- Day 4
Chalon-sur-Saône
The ship cruises north into Burgundy wine country, arriving in charming Chalon-sur-Saône with its half-timbered houses and Gothic cathedral. You'll choose from wine estate visits, a guided tour of nearby Beaune and Les Hospices, or a WWII history tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cruise to Chalon-sur-Saône
Optional Activities
- Burgundy wine discovery: visit local wine estate, join winemakers in vineyard, tour cellar, and guided wine tasting
- Guided tour of Beaune and Les Hospices de Beaune with free time to explore
- WWII in Chalon-sur-Saône: learn about French Resistance, the Demarcation Line, and the town's role during World War II
Landmarks/POIs Chalon-sur-Saône Les Hospices de Beaune Beaune - Day 5
Tournus
You'll arrive in Tournus, a riverside town founded by Romans and home to a grand Romanesque abbey. Choose from visiting Château de Cormatin, a cooking demonstration at Georges Blanc restaurant, or a truffle farm experience. Later, watch a cooperage demonstration before cruising to Tournon.
Included Activities
- Cruise to Tournus
- Cooperage demonstration on barrel making
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Château de Cormatin with Renaissance architecture, gilded rooms, moat, and manicured gardens
- Georges Blanc cooking demonstration in Vonnas at Michelin-starred restaurant with gourmet village and museum visit
- Truffle Tasting at local truffle farm with farmer meeting, truffle-hunting dogs, and tasting of delicacies
Landmarks/POIs Tournus Abbey Château de Cormatin 
- Day 6
Tournon
The morning is yours to explore Tournon, a hillside village known for terraced vineyards, a 10th-century castle, and cobblestone streets. You can join a wine tasting, vineyard hike, walking tour, or bike ride along the Rhône. Afternoon free time, then enjoy an evening dessert buffet from a local pâtissier.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dessert buffet onboard from local pâtissier)
Included Activities
- Dessert buffet onboard Scenic Sapphire from local pâtissier
Optional Activities
- Côtes du Rhône Tasting with local wine expert
- Hiking through the vineyards in Tournon with wine production learning and local wine tasting
- Walking tour of Tournon including castle and France's oldest suspension bridge to Tain l'Hermitage
- Biking along the Rhône on Via Rhona bike route between Tournon and Gun
Landmarks/POIs Tournon Castle Tain l'Hermitage Valrhona - Day 7
Avignon
After cruising south through the morning, you'll arrive in Avignon after lunch. Explore this City of the Popes with choices including a walking tour of ancient streets and Pope's Palace, an excursion to the Pont du Gard aqueduct, or kayaking beneath it.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Cruise to Avignon
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Avignon including Pope's Palace (moderate fitness required)
- Excursion to Pont du Gard ancient aqueduct with museum
- Kayaking at Pont du Gard on Gardon River beneath the aqueduct
- Scenic Enrich: Private gala dinner inside Palais des Papes banquet hall with classical quartet performance
Landmarks/POIs Palais des Papes Pont du Gard 
- Day 8
Avignon
Spend the day exploring Avignon or venturing beyond to nearby wine regions and villages. Options include wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, visiting Luberon Valley villages and Sénanque Abbey, shopping and cooking at Avignon Market, or discovering the Lavender Museum.
Optional Activities
- Wines of the Popes – Wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape with grenache tasting and exclusive appellation discovery
- Excursion to Luberon villages and Sénanque Abbey including Gordes village (exterior visit only on Sundays)
- Shop with a chef & Scenic Culinaire: Avignon Market shopping with chef and interactive cooking demonstration (Avignon Market closed Mondays)
- Lavender Museum with visit to the village of Roussillon and Ochre Trail
Landmarks/POIs Châteauneuf-du-Pape Sénanque Abbey Gordes Avignon Market Lavender Museum Roussillon - Day 9
Arles
The ship cruises south through Provence to Arles, the southernmost point of your journey and gateway to the Mediterranean. You'll explore this ancient Roman city founded by Julius Caesar, with options for Provence rosé wine tasting, a walking tour of Roman ruins, or visiting Les Baux.
Included Activities
- Cruise to Arles
Optional Activities
- Provence in Pink – Rosé wine tasting in sun-drenched vineyards with terroir and grape variety learning
- Guided tour of Arles including Roman ruins with local guide insights on history and modern culture
- Visit Les Baux with Carrières de Lumières immersive digital art space and medieval village exploration
- Paint a masterpiece while learning about the artistic heritage of the region
Landmarks/POIs Arles Roman Theatre Arles Amphitheatre Carrières de Lumières Les Baux 
- Day 10
Viviers
After cruising north overnight, you'll arrive in Viviers, a 5th-century city described as an open-air museum with narrow, winding lanes. Choose from a walking tour of the Cathedral of St Vincent, a French Resistance tour, wine tasting, exploring Ardèche Nature Park, or visiting the castle town of Grignan.
Included Activities
- Cruise to Viviers
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Viviers including Cathedral of St Vincent with medieval, Gothic and Renaissance styles and free leisure time
- French Resistance Walking Tour with WWII stories, Nazi Occupation history, and daring missions
- Côtes du Rhône Villages tasting with guided experience of Rhône Valley terroir and winemaking traditions
- Ardèche Nature Park with Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum: world's largest decorated Palaeolithic cave replica
- Excursion to Grignan de Provence with castle tour, Collegiate Church of the Holy Saviour, and leisure time
Landmarks/POIs Cathedral of St Vincent Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum Grignan Castle Grignan - Day 11
Onboard Cruise - Rhône River
You'll enjoy a full day cruising onboard the Scenic Sapphire as it travels back towards Lyon. Relax and admire the Rhône River vistas, taste local wines over lunch, or join a French cookery lesson. Later, experience an acapella choir performance in the Trinity Chapel.
- Meals
- Lunch (Local wine tasting over lunch)
Included Activities
- Cruise on Rhône River towards Lyon
- Scenic Enrich: Acapella choir performance in Trinity Chapel with Baroque interior and Carrera marble
Optional Activities
- Local wine tasting over lunch
- French cookery lesson in Scenic Culinaire
Landmarks/POIs Trinity Chapel - Day 12
Lyon
You'll arrive in Lyon, France's culinary capital with over 4,000 restaurants including 20 Michelin-starred establishments. Explore its Roman history or choose from a guided coach tour with traboules secret passageways, an excursion to medieval Pérouges village, or a silk painting workshop.
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Lyon via coach with Roman ruins, traboules secret passageways, and Notre Dame Basilica views
- Excursion to Pérouges medieval walled village with walking tour of vine-covered stone buildings and market square (high fitness level required)
- Silk painting workshop learning about Lyon's textile heritage and creating a masterpiece
Landmarks/POIs Notre Dame Basilica Pérouges - Day 13
Lyon
Your journey concludes this morning as you say farewell to fellow guests and the Scenic crew. You'll depart with vivid memories of France's most famous wine regions along the Saône and Rhône rivers.
