Itinerary
- Day 1
Paris
You'll land in Paris and start exploring the city on your own schedule. Take time to see the Eiffel Tower, walk along the Champs-Élysées, and stroll the Seine riverbanks. Getting a feel for what draws people to this city is all part of settling in and finding your rhythm.
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Champs-Élysées Seine River 
- Day 2
Paris
After breakfast, you have choices for how to spend your day. Take a coach tour through scenic neighborhoods and past monuments, or head to Montmartre where you can walk the artistic cobblestone streets and see why painters were drawn here for so long. It's your call on how to structure the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Paris via coach through the City of Light, seeing scenic districts, monuments, Seine River, Palais Garnier opera house, the Louvre, and Les Invalides complex
- Secrets of Montmartre walking tour through winding cobblestone streets, viewing the district's greenspace and vineyard that produces 27 varieties of wine
Landmarks Palais Garnier Louvre Les Invalides Montmartre Vineyard of Montmartre - Day 3
Paris to Lyon
Following breakfast, you'll travel by high-speed train to Lyon. Once there, board the Scenic Sapphire and get yourself settled into your suite. The crew will welcome you aboard, and you'll have time to familiarize yourself with the ship before the 10-night cruise along the Saône and Rhône rivers begins.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer via high-speed train to Lyon
- Embark Scenic Sapphire river cruise
- Day 4
Chalon-sur-Saône
The ship takes a leisurely route toward Chalon-sur-Saône, so you can relax in your suite with a coffee if you like. The town itself has half-timbered houses and a notable Gothic cathedral. You can join a wine tasting, take a guided tour of Beaune and Les Hospices, or look into the town's WWII history.
Included Activities
- Cruise towards Chalon-sur-Saône
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Beaune and Les Hospices de Beaune, a Gothic-style hospital founded in the Middle Ages now housing a museum, with free time to explore
- Burgundy wine tasting at a local estate in the heart of Côte de Beaune with wine tasting
- WW2 in Chalon-sur-Saône - Life on the Franco-German demarcation line walking tour exploring the Demarcation Line, French Resistance efforts, and WWII history
Landmarks Chalon-sur-Saône Beaune Les Hospices de Beaune - Day 5
Tournus
Start early and watch the river scenery from your balcony as the ship heads to Tournus, a town founded by Romans with a striking Romanesque abbey. You'll choose between touring a historic castle, meeting truffle farmers, or watching a Michelin chef demonstrate cooking. Later, everyone participates in a cooperage demonstration showing barrel-making before heading to Tournon.
Included Activities
- Cooperage demonstration showcasing the ancient craft of barrel making
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Château de Cormatin, a historic castle built in 1606 with guided tour of gilded rooms, moat, water features and more than 10 hectares of manicured gardens
- Truffle Tasting with a local truffle farmer and hound, learning truffle farming techniques and tasting produce
- Georges Blanc cooking demonstration with orientation tour of Vonnas village, cooking demonstration at three-star Michelin chef Georges Blanc's restaurant, and visit to the village museum created by Blanc
Landmarks Tournus - Day 6
Tournon
You'll arrive early in Tournon, a town known for terraced vineyards and a 10th-century castle with narrow cobblestone streets. Pick a walking tour of the castle and town, hike through the sloping vineyards above the Rhône, or cycle along the scenic riverbanks. This afternoon is free to explore on your own, then everyone gathers for an aperitif on the castle terrace with views of the river.
Included Activities
- Aperitif on the terrace of Tournon Castle with views over the Rhône River and terraced vineyards
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Tournon exploring town history and the castle built between the 10th and 16th centuries, with free time to cross France's oldest suspension bridge to Tain l'Hermitage and visit Valrhona chocolatiers
- Hiking through the vineyards in Tournon learning about local wine production and wine tasting with views overlooking the Rhône River
- Biking along the Rhône cycling the picturesque banks past charming villages and spectacular scenery to nearby village of Glun
Landmarks Tournon Castle Tain l'Hermitage Glun - Day 7
Avignon
After lunch you'll dock in Avignon, the medieval City of the Popes. The Palais des Papes and Pont d'Avignon are the main draws here. You can join a walking tour, visit the ancient Pont du Gard aqueduct, or kayak beneath it on the Gardon River. Tonight brings an exclusive gala dinner with classical music inside the Palais des Papes after hours.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner (Exclusive gala dinner with classical concert from a trio of musicians in the Palais des Papes)
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich exclusive gala dinner with classical concert at Palais des Papes after doors close to general public
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Avignon including visit to the Popes Palace, historic city walls, and cobblestoned streets (moderate fitness required due to numerous steps)
- Excursion to Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct dating to the middle of the first century with guided tour
- Kayaking at Pont du Gard paddling kayaks beneath the World Heritage-listed Pont du Gard aqueduct on the Gardon River
Landmarks Palais des Papes Pont d'Avignon Pont du Gard 
- Day 8
Avignon
You have a full day in Avignon and plenty of options. Visit the villages of Luberon and Sénanque Abbey, shop at the local market and do a cooking demonstration with your Scenic chef, explore lavender fields and the village of Roussillon, or taste wines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. There's flexibility here depending on what interests you most.
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Luberon villages and Sénanque Abbey visiting Gordes with guided tour (Please note: Sénanque Abbey is not open to visitors on Sundays; on these days the tour includes only an exterior visit)
- Shop with a chef & Scenic Culinaire visiting the local market to shop for and taste regional ingredients, returning to the ship for interactive cooking demonstration at Scenic Culinaire cooking school (Please note: Avignon Market is closed on Mondays)
- Lavender Museum with visit to the village of Roussillon visiting a local lavender producer and guided tour of Roussillon village
- Wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape sampling the region's celebrated wines
Landmarks Gordes Sénanque Abbey Roussillon Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Day 9
Arles
Arles is where you'll dock, heading to the southernmost stop near the Mediterranean. This Roman city from 56BC has more Roman ruins outside Rome than anywhere else, and Van Gogh lived here in 1888. Choose a guided walk through the ancient amphitheatre, visit the medieval village Les Baux with an immersive light show, explore olive oil production, or learn about lavender farming. The afternoon is yours to explore or attend an on-board painting class.
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Arles visiting the ancient Roman amphitheatre Arènes d'Arles, a 20,000-seat arena still in use today, experiencing vibrant colours and striking light that inspired many artists
- Visit Les Baux with Carrières de Lumières journey to the medieval village of Les Baux and visit a former quarry now hosting an immersive visual and musical installation highlighting works of notable artists
- Ancestry of the Kitchen with olive mill visiting a local olive farm learning olive oil production techniques and traditional Provencal recipes
- Lavender fields to cream, A Provence Herbal Workshop at a local organic farm specialising in essential oils from lavender, thyme, rosemary, and other herbs, learning health benefits, essential oil extraction process, and creating lavender-based cream to take home (available at certain times of year, typically late June to mid-August)
- On-board painting class learning about the artistic heritage of the region while painting a masterpiece
Landmarks Arènes d'Arles Les Baux Carrières de Lumières - Day 10
Viviers
You'll arrive in Viviers, a town that functions like an open-air museum with medieval heritage from the 5th century. Once 30,000 people lived here, now just under 4,000 do. Take a walking tour of the Cathedral and historic architecture, or try a French Resistance walking tour. This afternoon, check out Ardèche Nature Park and a Palaeolithic cave replica, the Madeleine Caves with underground formations, or visit the provincial town of Grignan.
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Viviers with local guide exploring monuments and architectural treasures such as the Cathedral of St. Vincent first built in the 11th century now resplendent in 18th-century Gothic style with Renaissance facade, with free time to explore
- French Resistance walking tour of Viviers learning stories of the French Resistance during WWII and local heroism
- Ardèche Nature Park with Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum exploring mountains and medieval fortress ruins, then visiting the largest decorated Palaeolithic cave replica in the world
- Ardeche National Park and Madeleine Cave driving through rugged natural beauty of Ardèche Nature Park and exploring Madeleine Caves with intricate rock formations, stalagmites, stalactites, and underground lakes (moderate fitness required with sturdy shoes)
- Excursion to Grignan de Provence with local guide exploring the beautiful provincial town, seeing the mighty castle and Collegiate Church of the Holy Saviour with leisure time
Landmarks Cathedral of St. Vincent Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Madeleine Cave Grignan - Day 11
Cruising to Lyon
Today is a relaxed day cruising back toward Lyon. You can spend time on the Sun Deck taking in the Rhône River views, visit the Salt Therapy Lounge to relax, or join a French cookery lesson to sharpen your skills. This evening features an exclusive acapella choir performance at Trinity Chapel, a 17th-century Baroque building with Carrara marble inside.
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich exclusive acapella choir performance at Trinity Chapel with breath-taking performance in 17th-century Baroque setting
Optional Activities
- French cookery lesson in Scenic Culinaire
Landmarks Trinity Chapel - Day 12
Lyon
You'll wake in Lyon, France's culinary capital with over 4,000 restaurants including 20 Michelin-starred places. The Romans founded it in 43BC where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet, and it became a financial center from the mid-1500s onward. Options include a guided tour of hidden passageways and the Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière, visiting the medieval village of Pérouges, or learning about Lyon's silk weaving tradition in a workshop.
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Lyon discovering historic significance traversing hidden traboules and secret passageways dating to the 4th century, visiting the Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière with fabulous vantage point views across Lyon
- Excursion to Pérouges visiting a medieval walled village atop a hill overlooking the Ain River with vine-covered stone buildings, cobbled laneways and market square centred around a centuries-old lime tree (recommended only for guests with high degree of fitness due to uneven surfaces and lots of walking up and down hill)
- Silk painting workshop learning about Lyon's silk production heritage dating back almost five centuries and the process of silk painting
Landmarks Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière Pérouges - Day 13
Lyon to Nice
You'll leave the Scenic Sapphire and travel to Nice on the French Riviera. After transferring to your luxury hotel, you'll have the afternoon free. Stroll the palm-lined promenades, wander through the old cobbled neighborhoods, or settle in with a glass of wine while the sea breeze comes in.
Included Activities
- Transfer from Lyon to Nice
- Hotel check-in
- Day 14
Nice
A guided walking tour takes you through Nice starting with the Promenade des Anglais, the iconic palm-tree-lined stretch along the Mediterranean. You'll see Place Masséna where French style meets Italian influence, then explore Vieux Nice with its narrow cobbled streets, markets, and artisan shops. This evening your Tour Director will take you to a local restaurant showcasing the region's culinary character and casual elegance.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant chosen to reflect the effortless charm and culinary excellence of the French Riviera)
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Nice including Promenade des Anglais, Place Masséna, and Vieux Nice
- Included dinner at a local restaurant with Tour Director
Landmarks Promenade des Anglais Place Masséna Vieux Nice - Day 15
Nice
You have Scenic Freechoice options today to explore the region your way. Take a short trip to glamorous Monte Carlo to see the Prince's Palace, famous Casino, and Formula One circuit, or wander the timeless streets of Saint-Paul de Vence that inspired artists including Picasso and Chagall.
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Monte Carlo taking in the beauty of the coastal gem on a city tour, seeing the Prince's Palace, the renowned Casino, the circuit of one of the most breathtaking Formula One races, and more
- Saint-Paul de Vence wandering the timeless streets that inspired legends like Picasso and Chagall, exploring medieval architecture, lively markets, and artistic spirit
Landmarks Monte Carlo Prince's Palace Casino Monte Carlo Saint-Paul de Vence - Day 16
Nice
Your time exploring the French Riviera concludes today. After breakfast in Nice, you'll head out with memories of everything you've seen and done along this beautiful stretch of coast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
