Itinerary
- Day 1
Paris
You'll arrive in Paris and get settled into your accommodation. After checking in, the rest of the day is open for you to wander around the city at your own pace and get a feel for the place.
Optional Activities
- Explore Paris independently
- Walk along the Seine
- Visit the Eiffel Tower
- Stroll the Champs-Élysées
Landmarks/POIs Eiffel Tower Seine River Champs-Élysées 
- Day 2
Paris
Following breakfast, you have choices for how to spend your day. Take a coach tour through Paris's scenic districts and see major monuments, or head to Montmartre and walk the cobblestone streets of this historic artist neighborhood. Both options give you time to explore on your terms.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Paris via coach through the City of Light, seeing Palais Garnier, the Louvre, Les Invalides complex and banks of the Seine
- Secrets of Montmartre walking tour through cobblestone streets, visiting the vineyard of Montmartre and notable districts
Landmarks/POIs Palais Garnier Louvre Les Invalides Montmartre Vineyard of Montmartre Seine River - Day 3
Paris to Lyon
After breakfast, you'll catch a high-speed train heading to Lyon. Once there, you board the Scenic Sapphire cruise ship and get settled in. This is your starting point for a 10-night river cruise along the Saône and Rhône rivers.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- High-speed train transfer to Lyon
- Embark on Scenic Sapphire cruise ship
- Day 4
Chalon-sur-Saône
The ship cruises north this morning into Burgundy's wine country, arriving in Chalon-sur-Saône. You can visit a local wine estate and talk with the winemakers, tour the medieval town of Beaune and its Gothic hospital museum, or learn about WWII history along the Franco-German demarcation line.
Included Activities
- Cruise to Chalon-sur-Saône
Optional Activities
- Burgundy wine discovery at a local wine estate, including vineyard tour and guided wine tasting
- Guided tour of Beaune and Les Hospices de Beaune with free time to explore
- WWII in Chalon-sur-Saône walking tour about French Resistance and the Demarcation Line
Landmarks/POIs Chalon-sur-Saône Beaune Les Hospices de Beaune - Day 5
Tournus
You'll reach Tournus, a Roman-founded riverside town with a Romanesque abbey. Choose between touring Château de Cormatin's Renaissance gardens, attending a cooking demonstration at a Michelin-starred restaurant, or visiting a truffle farm. Later this afternoon, watch a cooperage demonstration about barrel-making before the ship heads to Tournon.
Included Activities
- Cooperage demonstration (barrel-making craft)
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Château de Cormatin with Renaissance architecture and 10+ hectares of gardens
- Georges Blanc cooking demonstration at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Vonnas with gourmet village and museum visit
- Truffle Tasting at a local truffle farm with truffle-hunting dogs
Landmarks/POIs Tournus Château de Cormatin Georges Blanc Vonnas - Day 6
Tournon
Spend the morning in Tournon exploring the Northern Rhône Valley wine region. Options include a guided tasting of Côtes du Rhône wines, hiking through vineyards, walking through the historic town and its 10th-century castle, or cycling along the Rhône River. The afternoon is yours to explore freely. By evening, try the dessert buffet from a local pâtissier on board.
Included Activities
- Dessert buffet from a local pâtissier on board Scenic Sapphire
Optional Activities
- Côtes du Rhône Tasting with guided wine tasting by local expert
- Hiking through the vineyards in Tournon with vineyard tour and wine tasting
- Walking tour of Tournon visiting the castle (10th-16th centuries) and France's oldest suspension bridge to Tain l'Hermitage
- Biking along the Rhône via Via Rhona route between Tournon and Gun
Landmarks/POIs Tournon Castle Tain l'Hermitage Valrhona - Day 7
Avignon
Relax on board this morning as the ship cruises south, pulling into Avignon after lunch. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Palais des Papes or visit the ancient Pont du Gard aqueduct. That evening, you'll attend an exclusive gala dinner with classical music in the Pope's Palace banquet hall.
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich private gala dinner inside Palais des Papes with classical quartet performance
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Avignon's ancient cobblestone streets to Pope's Palace (moderate fitness required)
- Excursion to Pont du Gard aqueduct, built by Romans around 2,000 years ago, with museum visit
- Kayaking at Pont du Gard on the Gardon River beneath the World Heritage aqueduct
Landmarks/POIs Palais des Papes Pont du Gard 
- Day 8
Avignon
You have the day to explore more of Avignon or venture out to Provence villages and wine regions. Try tasting Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines, visit hilltop villages and Sénanque Abbey in the Luberon Valley, go shopping at Avignon Market followed by a cooking demonstration, or see the Lavender Museum and the village of Roussillon.
Optional Activities
- Wines of the Popes wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape with vineyard views
- Excursion to Luberon villages and Sénanque Abbey (note: Abbey not open Sundays - exterior visit only)
- Shop with a chef and Scenic Culinaire cooking demonstration at Avignon Market (note: Market closed Mondays)
- Lavender Museum with visit to the village of Roussillon and guided Ochre Trail tour
Landmarks/POIs Châteauneuf-du-Pape Gordes Sénanque Abbey Avignon Market Lavender Museum Roussillon - Day 9
Arles
The ship arrives in Arles, the southernmost point and your gateway toward the Mediterranean. Explore Roman ruins and Van Gogh heritage, or pick between tasting Provence rosé wines, joining a guided local tour, or visiting the Carrières de Lumières digital art space and the medieval village of Les Baux.
Optional Activities
- Provence in Pink rosé wine tasting at sun-drenched vineyards learning about terroir and grape varieties
- Guided tour of Arles from the ship visiting Roman ruins and seeing the striking light that inspired many artists
- Visit Les Baux with Carrières de Lumières immersive digital art space (7,000 square metres) and medieval village exploration
- Paint a masterpiece during an art activity related to the region's artistic heritage
Landmarks/POIs Arles Roman Ruins Les Baux Carrières de Lumières 
- Day 10
Viviers
After cruising north overnight, you'll arrive in Viviers, a 5th-century city with narrow winding lanes. Walk the historic streets including the Cathedral of St Vincent, learn about French Resistance efforts during WWII, taste Côtes du Rhône wines, explore Ardèche Nature Park and the Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum, or visit the castle and Collegiate Church in Grignan de Provence.
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Viviers visiting Cathedral of St Vincent with free time to explore
- French Resistance Walking Tour learning about heroic efforts during Nazi Occupation of France during WWII
- Côtes du Rhône Villages tasting with guided excursion exploring diverse terroir and winemaking traditions
- Ardèche Nature Park with Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum, the largest decorated Palaeolithic cave replica in the world
- Excursion to Grignan de Provence with guided tour of the castle and Collegiate Church of the Holy Saviour plus leisure time
Landmarks/POIs Cathedral of St Vincent Viviers Ardèche Nature Park Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum Grignan Grignan Castle Collegiate Church of the Holy Saviour - Day 11
Cruising the Rhône
Spend the day on board the Scenic Sapphire as it cruises back toward Lyon. Take in the Rhône River views, try local wines with lunch, or join a French cookery lesson. By evening, you'll enjoy an acapella choir performance in the grand Trinity Chapel with its Baroque design and Carrara marble.
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich exclusive acapella choir performance in Trinity Chapel
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting over lunch
- French cookery lesson in Scenic Culinaire
Landmarks/POIs Trinity Chapel - Day 12
Lyon
Your final cruise day is in Lyon, France's culinary capital where two rivers meet. Choose between a guided coach tour past Roman ruins and traboules (secret passageways from the 4th century) with views of Notre Dame Basilica, traveling to the medieval walled village of Pérouges, or attending a silk painting workshop celebrating Lyon's textile heritage.
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Lyon via coach visiting Roman ruins, traboules (secret passageways), and Notre Dame Basilica
- Excursion to Pérouges medieval walled village on a hill overlooking the Ain River with walking tour (high fitness level required due to uneven surfaces and uphill walking)
- Silk painting workshop learning about Lyon's silk production heritage since the 15th century and creating your own masterpiece
Landmarks/POIs Notre Dame Basilica Pérouges - Day 13
Lyon to London
You'll board your included flight from Lyon to London. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for a 3-night stay. After settling in, the afternoon is free for you to explore the area around your hotel at leisure.
Included Activities
- Flight to London
- Airport transfer to hotel
- Day 14
London
Following breakfast at the hotel, join a half-day guided tour of London covering historic landmarks like Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, and the Tower of London with the Crown Jewels. The tour finishes at Buckingham Palace. The afternoon is free to explore before meeting fellow guests for dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant with fellow Scenic guests)
Included Activities
- Half-day guided tour of London including Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Tower of London with Crown Jewels, and Buckingham Palace
- Dinner at a local restaurant with fellow Scenic guests
Landmarks/POIs Trafalgar Square Big Ben Tower of London Crown Jewels Buckingham Palace - Day 15
London
After breakfast, pick between a guided tour of Kensington Palace walking through the King's and Queen's State Apartments, or attend a luxurious afternoon tea with fine teas paired with finger sandwiches and cakes in a refined setting.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast at hotel
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Kensington Palace including King's and Queen's State Apartments and stories of those who worked at the royal palaces over 300 years
- Afternoon tea experience with fine teas, finger sandwiches, and cakes in a refined setting
Landmarks/POIs Kensington Palace - Day 16
London to Home
Following breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home, taking with you the memories from this journey through France and England.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Airport transfer
