Itinerary
- Day 1
Paris
You'll arrive in Paris this afternoon and head straight to the Scenic Space-Ship for check-in. After getting settled in your cabin, the 5-star ship departs this evening and you'll start your cruise along the Seine with dinner on board.
Landmarks/POIs Paris - Day 2
Les Andelys
The ship cruises gently along the Seine toward Les Andelys, a small waterside village in Normandy. During the day you can walk through the Norman-era houses and see the striking limestone cliffs. Château Gaillard's ruins sit high above the town, creating an imposing backdrop that's hard to miss from the water.
Included Activities
- Cruise to Les Andelys
Optional Activities
- Hike to Château Gaillard with 'Richard the Lionheart' - Medieval-themed walking tour
- Tour of Les Andelys with Château Gaillard
- Cider farm visit - see production and taste Normandy cider
- Renaissance-era Château Gaillon - 16th-century château tour
Landmarks/POIs Château Gaillard Château Gaillon - Day 3
Rouen
You dock in Rouen, Normandy's capital with over 2,000 years of history. The restored Old Town has medieval streets and churches, plus the 12th-century Rouen Cathedral that's worth your time. Later this evening, you'll attend a WWI lecture on board about life on the Western Front (75°F/24°C).
Included Activities
- Expert lecture - WWI: Day in the life of a Tommy with interactive experience
Optional Activities
- Rouen city tour - cathedral district, old marketplace, Saint-Maclou Quarter, Joan of Arc history
- Guided tour of Rouen with Rollo the Viking - Viking-themed tour of Medieval city
- Photography discovery - learn digital portrait techniques with local photographer
Landmarks/POIs Rouen Cathedral 
- Day 4
Rouen
Another full day in Rouen lets you either explore regional military history or focus on local food. Normandy cheeses, cider, and calvados are all worth trying if that's your preference. You have flexibility to spend the day however interests you most.
Optional Activities
- Tastes of Normandy - local producers visit for soft cheeses, cider, and calvados tasting
- Excursion to the Somme Battlefields including Newfoundland Memorial Park - full day tour visiting WWI sites, Australian National Memorial, Franco-Australian Museum, Lochnagar Crater
- Excursion to the Somme Battlefields Including Thiepval - full day with Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Thiepval Memorial to the Missing
- Day 5
Honfleur
The ship heads west to Honfleur, a colorful port city on the English Channel where Impressionism was born. You'll walk through cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses, galleries, and restaurants. A guided tour covers the Inner Harbour, Church of Sainte-Catherine, and Garden of Personalities. By evening you're back on board for a lecture about Operation Fortitude and D-Day.
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Honfleur - Inner Harbour, Church of Sainte-Catherine, Garden of Personalities
- Expert lecture - Operation Fortitude and daily life during D-Day campaign
Landmarks/POIs Church of Sainte-Catherine - Day 6
Honfleur
This full day in Honfleur gives you options for exploring WWII history. Choose from excursions about US, UK, or Canadian D-Day operations, or head to medieval Bayeux to see its Norman Romanesque and Gothic architecture instead. You'll have the afternoon and evening on board.
Optional Activities
- Excursion to the Normandy Beaches including Omaha Beach (US history focused) - Utah Beach memorial, Sainte-Mère-Église, Normandy American Cemetery, Omaha Beach Memorial
- Excursion to the Normandy Beaches including British Normandy Memorial (UK history focused) - Bayeux War Cemetery, Museum of the Battle of Normandy, Landing Museum at Arromanches, British Normandy Memorial, Pegasus Bridge & Museum, Ranville War Cemetery
- Excursion to the Normandy Beaches including Juno Beach Centre (Canadian history focused) - Abbey d'Ardenne, Juno Beach Centre, Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery, Pegasus Bridge & Museum
- Bayeux tour - Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux (11th-14th century Norman Romanesque and Gothic architecture)
Landmarks/POIs Omaha Beach Normandy American Cemetery Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux - Day 7
Caudebec-en-Caux
Early morning the ship heads inland to Caudebec-en-Caux, a medieval riverside town set on a curve of the Seine. You can walk through and see handsome homes, stately gardens, and historic buildings, including the ornate 15th-century Notre Dame Caudebec-en-Caux. It's a quiet stop before heading onward.
Optional Activities
- Cycle to Villequier with Victor Hugo Museum - e-bike tour along River Seine, flat eight-kilometre route, museum visit
- Fécamp and Bénédictine Palace - coach transfer, guided tour of 19th-century Palace with Bénédictine liquor tasting
- Tales of the French Resistance - walking tour of WWII French Resistance stories in historic city
- Normandy Abbey Road - explore Middle Ages history on Abbey Road with grand abbeys on River Seine banks
Landmarks/POIs Notre Dame Caudebec-en-Caux Bénédictine Palace - Day 8
Vernon to La Roche-Guyon
You visit Vernon, a medieval border town, then head to Giverny where Claude Monet lived for over 40 years. Walking through his gardens with the famous Japanese-inspired water garden is the main activity, and you can join an on-board painting class afterward if you want. Later that evening, there's a classical concert at Château de La Roche-Guyon.
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich - Visit Château de La Roche-Guyon with drink and classical concert featuring French composers
Optional Activities
- Monet's House and Garden - Giverny tour, Japanese-inspired water garden with lilies
- Self-guided cycle from Vernon to Giverny - approximately five kilometres each way e-bike tour
- On board painting class - inspired by morning's Giverny gardens
Landmarks/POIs Monet's House and Garden Château de La Roche-Guyon 
- Day 9
Conflans-Saint-Honorine to Paris
After waking in Conflans-Saint-Honorine at the confluence of the Seine and Oise rivers, you can walk quiet streets and riverside pathways. Excursions include Auvers-Sur-Oise where Van Gogh painted his final works, Château de Chantilly or Versailles, the Inland Water Transport Museum, or Château de Malmaison. From there the ship cruises back toward Paris in the afternoon.
Included Activities
- Cruise from Conflans-Saint-Honorine to Paris
Optional Activities
- Visit to Auvers-Sur-Oise - Van Gogh village with landmarks from his works, entry to Van Gogh's room
- Château de Chantilly - guided tour of castle with fine collections and gardens (note: if closed on Tuesday, replaced with Versailles Palace and Garden)
- Musée de la Batellerie - Inland Water Transport Museum in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine
- Château de Malmaison - Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine de Beauharnais residence, neoclassical architecture, museum with furniture and Napoleonic era artifacts
Landmarks/POIs Notre Dame de l'Assomption Château de Chantilly Château de Malmaison - Day 10
Paris
You'll explore iconic Paris with guided tours of landmarks and hidden gems. First-timers can check off the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, while returning visitors explore trendy Marais, Opéra Garnier, or a château south of the city. The afternoon is free to wander Paris on your own and find what interests you most.
Optional Activities
- Trendy Marais with a local Parisian - guided walking tour of diverse district with culture, art, fashion, and architecture
- Highlights of Paris city tour - coach tour of Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysée, Arc de Triomphe, Concorde Square, Notre Dame Cathedral
- Opera Garnier - tour of ornately decorated opera house commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III
- Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte - coach tour to château credited as founding French formal garden, inspiration for Versailles
Landmarks/POIs Eiffel Tower Notre Dame Cathedral Marais District Opera Garnier Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte - Day 11
Paris to Lyon
An included flight takes you from Paris to Lyon this morning. Once you arrive, you board the Scenic Sapphire for a 10-night cruise along the Rhône and Saône Rivers. You'll settle in and have the evening to get oriented before departure.
Included Activities
- Flight from Paris to Lyon
- Day 12
Chalon-sur-Saône
The ship cruises north into the Burgundy wine region toward Chalon-sur-Saône. You can relax on board or explore this charming town known for half-timbered houses and its magnificent Gothic cathedral. It's also the birthplace of photography inventor Nicéphore Niépce. Later you'll visit nearby Beaune, the medieval heart of the Burgundy wine region.
Optional Activities
- Burgundy wine discovery - local wine estate visit with vineyard walk, cellar tour, fermentation and production methods, guided wine tasting
- Guided tour of Beaune and Les Hospices - tour of Beaune, Les Hospices de Beaune Gothic-style hospital and museum
- WWII in Chalon-sur-Saône - French Resistance history, Franco-German Demarcation Line during WWII
Landmarks/POIs Beaune - Day 13
Tournus
Cruising south brings you to Tournus, a Roman-founded riverside town with a splendid Romanesque abbey. This is a major gastronomy center with two Michelin-starred restaurants surrounded by vineyards. In the afternoon you'll watch a cooperage demonstration on barrel-making before the ship continues to Tournon.
Included Activities
- Cooperage demonstration - barrel-making craft linked to wine production
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Château de Cormatin - Renaissance architecture, gilded rooms, moat, 10+ hectares of manicured gardens
- Georges Blanc cooking demonstration - at world's longest-standing Michelin-starred restaurant in Vonnas, gourmet village and museum visit
- Truffle Tasting - local truffle farm, meet farmer and truffle-hunting dogs, learn harvesting, taste delicacies
Landmarks/POIs Château de Cormatin 
- Day 14
Tournon
You arrive in Tournon, a hillside village with terraced vineyards, a 10th-century castle, and cobblestoned streets. It's located in the Northern Rhône Valley wine region famous for Syrah and white varietals. The afternoon is free to explore the town, and later you'll enjoy a dessert buffet from a local pâtissier on board.
- Meals
- Dessert (Dessert buffet on board from local pâtissier - delicate pastries, silky creams, vibrant confections)
Included Activities
- Dessert buffet on board from local pâtissier - pastries, creams, confections
Optional Activities
- Côtes du Rhône Tasting - guided wine tasting with local expert
- Hiking through the vineyards in Tournon - hike through sloping vineyards, learn wine production, taste local wines
- Walking tour of Tournon - visit castle (10th-16th centuries), cross France's oldest suspension bridge to Tain l'Hermitage, visit Valrhona chocolatiers
- Biking along the Rhône - Via Rhona bike route section between Tournon and Gun, charming villages, orchards, historic bridges
Landmarks/POIs Tournon Castle Tain l'Hermitage - Day 15
Avignon
This morning the ship cruises south through beautiful landscapes. After lunch you dock in ancient Avignon, the City of the Popes with the World Heritage-listed Palais des Papes. The city is surrounded by wine regions and known for artisan products. This evening there's an exclusive gala dinner with a classical quartet inside the Palais des Papes banquet hall.
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich - Exclusive gala dinner in Palais des Papes banquet hall with classical quartet performance
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour - history of Avignon, cobblestone streets to Pope's Palace, 14th-century papal residence
- Excursion to Pont Du Gard - ancient Roman aqueduct (built ~2,000 years ago), museum visit
- Kayaking at Pont du Gard - paddle kayak beneath World Heritage-listed aqueduct on Gardon River
Landmarks/POIs Palais des Papes Pont du Gard 
- Day 16
Avignon
Another day in Avignon lets you explore local food and wine options or venture to Provençal villages and vineyards. You could visit the wine region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, explore Luberon Valley hilltop villages, shop at markets with a chef, or see Provence's lavender and ochre landscapes.
Optional Activities
- Wines of the Popes – Wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape - wine tasting, iconic grenache grapes, exclusive appellation
- Excursion to Luberon villages and Sénanque Abbey - drive to Gordes hilltop village, visit Sénanque Abbey
- Shop with a chef & Scenic Culinaire - shopping at Avignon Market with chef, interactive cooking demonstration at Scenic Culinaire cooking school
- Lavender Museum with visit to the village of Roussillon - Lavender Museum and field, guided tour of Roussillon village, Ochre Trail
Landmarks/POIs Châteauneuf-du-Pape Sénanque Abbey Gordes Roussillon - Day 17
Arles
The ship heads to Arles, the southernmost point of your journey just kilometers from the Mediterranean Sea. Founded by Julius Caesar over 2,000 years ago, it has the largest number of Roman ruins outside Rome. Vincent Van Gogh drew inspiration here in 1888. You'll join an on-board painting class inspired by the region's artistic heritage.
Included Activities
- On-board painting class - create masterpiece inspired by Arles artistic heritage
Optional Activities
- Provence in Pink – Rosé wine tasting - sun-drenched vineyards, terroir, grape varieties, crisp elegant pinks
- Guided tour of Arles - walk to heart of Arles, Roman ruins, vibrant colors and striking light, artist history
- Visit Les Baux with Carrières de Lumières - former quarry transformed to 7,000-square-metre immersive digital art space, medieval village of Les Baux
Landmarks/POIs Les Baux Carrières de Lumières 
- Day 18
Viviers
After cruising north overnight, you arrive in Viviers, an open-air museum founded in the 5th century. Walking through narrow, winding lanes that feel unchanged in 1,600 years is the main draw. The city has fascinating French Resistance connections and sits beside Côtes du Rhône vineyards.
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Viviers - architectural treasures including Cathedral of St Vincent (medieval, Gothic, Renaissance styles)
- French Resistance Walking Tour - heroic tales of French Resistance against Nazi Occupation during WWII, daring missions
- Côtes du Rhône Villages tasting - guided tasting excursion, rich flavours, diverse terroir, Southern France winemaking traditions
- Ardèche Nature Park with Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum - Ardèche Nature Park exploration, Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum (largest decorated Palaeolithic cave replica)
- Excursion to Grignan de Provence - provincial town tour with local guide, castle, Collegiate Church of the Holy Saviour
Landmarks/POIs Cathedral of St Vincent Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Grignan - Day 19
Cruise to Lyon
You spend a full day on board cruising back toward Lyon. The ship travels through beautiful vistas of the Rhône River, and you can taste local wines over lunch or join a French cookery lesson in Scenic Culinaire. This evening brings an exclusive acapella choir performance inside the grand Trinity Chapel.
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich - Exclusive acapella choir performance in Trinity Chapel (Baroque beauty with Carrera marble interior)
Optional Activities
- French cookery lesson - Scenic Culinaire cooking school
- Local wine tasting - over lunch on board
Landmarks/POIs Trinity Chapel - Day 20
Lyon
The ship arrives in Lyon, France's culinary capital at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers. It has over 4,000 restaurants including 20 Michelin-starred venues. You can explore its Roman history, secret traboules passageways, or discover surrounding villages before your next flight.
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Lyon - coach tour of Roman ruins, hidden traboules (secret fourth-century passageways), Notre Dame Basilica with city views
- Excursion to Pérouges - medieval walled village on hilltop overlooking Ain River, walking tour of vine-covered stone buildings, cobbled laneways, centuries-old lime tree in market square
- Silk painting workshop - learn 15th-century fine silk production heritage, create your own masterpiece
Landmarks/POIs Notre Dame Basilica Pérouges - Day 21
Lyon to Bordeaux
An included flight takes you from Lyon to Bordeaux, where you board the Scenic Diamond. You'll settle into your cabin and have time to explore the ship before departure this evening.
Included Activities
- Flight from Lyon to Bordeaux
- Day 22
Libourne
The ship sails toward Libourne this morning. After lunch, you take a tour to nearby Saint-Émilion, a World Heritage-listed village with thousands of years of history and preserved medieval buildings. The unique Monolithic Church, mostly underground and carved into limestone, is the highlight. You dock overnight in Libourne, a 13th-century port and winemaking capital.
Included Activities
- Tour to Saint-Émilion - World Heritage-listed village, Medieval buildings, Monolithic Church (underground, carved in limestone)
Landmarks/POIs Saint-Émilion Monolithic Church - Day 23
Libourne
You explore Libourne and its surroundings with several options to choose from. Walking tours cover the history linked to trade and wine, vineyard tours with tastings, e-bike cycling through the region, or a painting class with a local artist while sipping wine. The ship sets sail this afternoon for Fort Médoc.
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Libourne - rich history linked to wool, wine, salt and wood trade
- Wines and Vineyards of Saint-Émilion - countryside exploration, vineyard tour, wine tasting
- Biking and tasting at Château Siaurac - e-bike cycle through wine-growing region to Château Siaurac, tasting
- Paint and Pour - local artist watercolour class on Sun Deck of Scenic Diamond, create masterpiece while sipping local wines
Landmarks/POIs Château Siaurac - Day 24
Fort Médoc
The Médoc region is the world's leading red wine producer with legendary châteaux. You can explore this region by coach through the scenic Route des Châteaux, or by e-bike through aristocratic estates. After a wine tasting at a prestigious vineyard, there's an exclusive classical concert at Château d'Agassac, a 13th-century winemaking estate.
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich - Classical concert at Château d'Agassac, 13th-century winemaking estate in Médoc countryside
Optional Activities
- Médoc wine tasting by coach - Route des Châteaux coach tour through 16,000+ hectares of vineyards across eight appellations, local winery tasting
- Médoc wine tasting by bicycle - e-bike tour through spectacular Médoc countryside, grand aristocratic châteaux, wine tasting at prestigious estate
Landmarks/POIs Château d'Agassac - Day 25
Cadillac
This morning you can relax on board or get spa treatments and learn French cuisine in Scenic Culinaire cooking school as the ship sails to Cadillac. After arriving post-lunch, you can explore this picturesque town founded in 1280 with grand historic buildings. It's also where French explorer Antoine de la Mothe took the name for modern-day Detroit and the Cadillac automobile.
Optional Activities
- Spa treatment on board
- French cuisine lesson - Scenic Culinaire cooking school
Landmarks/POIs Cadillac - Day 26
Cadillac
Cadillac is close to the Sauternes wine region known for sweet, fortified wine styles. Morning excursions go by coach or bicycle through vineyards, then you have afternoon activities including a tour of the ancient Roquetaillade Castle (700+ year family residence), cycling through Loupiac wine region, or visiting Château Toulouse-Lautrec with the famous painter's apartments.
Optional Activities
- Morning Scenic Freechoice - Sauternes by coach: coach through Sauternes to vineyard for wine tasting
- Morning Scenic Freechoice - Sauternes by bike: cycle through rolling Sauternes vineyards for tasting
- Afternoon Scenic Freechoice - Roquetaillade Castle: tour ancient castle with family whose ancestors resided there 700+ years
- Afternoon Scenic Freechoice - Biking in the Loupiac wine region: cycle through Gironde landscapes in Loupiac wine region, view Château Benauge
- Afternoon Scenic Freechoice - Château Toulouse-Lautrec: guided tour of historic rooms and apartments of famous painter
Landmarks/POIs Roquetaillade Castle Château Toulouse-Lautrec Château Benauge - Day 27
Bordeaux
You discover Bordeaux's culinary delights and scenic treasures with guided city tours of the Gothic cathedral and Place de la Bourse, or cycling tours sampling local treats like canelé custard cakes. There's also shopping with the chef at food markets followed by cooking demonstrations. Back on board you'll enjoy fresh oysters from Arcachon Bay, then experience exclusive afterhours access to Bassins des Lumières with Champagne and a digital art show.
- Meals
- Snack (Fresh oysters from Arcachon Bay)
Included Activities
- Tasting of fresh oysters from Arcachon Bay
- Scenic Enrich - Afterhours access to Bassins des Lumières with Champagne and exclusive digital art show (Bordeaux WWII submarine base turned art installation)
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Bordeaux - highlights including Gothic cathedral, Place de la Bourse
- Cycling tour of Bordeaux - pedal through historic Bordeaux, sample canelé custard cakes
- Shop with a chef - Scenic chef at local food market, taste best regional ingredients, return to Scenic Diamond for cooking demonstration
Landmarks/POIs Bassins des Lumières - Day 28
Bordeaux
Continue exploring Bordeaux with an interactive wine museum, thrilling motorbike and sidecar tours through the city, or a walking tour of charming bayside Arcachon with its undercover Baltard food market. The afternoon is free on board as the ship sails toward Bourg.
Optional Activities
- Cité du Vin Museum - local tram to museum, interactive wine discovery journey
- Tour Bordeaux by motorbike & sidecar - cruise through Bordeaux in motorcycle sidecar or on back
- Visit Arcachon - local guide walking tour of charming bayside town, Baltard market undercover food hall with local delicacies
Landmarks/POIs Cité du Vin Museum Arcachon - Day 29
Bourg
You dock in Bourg, a picturesque town on a rocky promontory built as a defensive château. Ancient alleyways, moats, and bell towers on the Dordogne are worth exploring. Choose between visiting the Carriages Museum inside Bourg Castle, touring historic Saintes with gardens, or a full-day excursion to Cognac, the world's finest brandy producer.
Optional Activities
- Bourg with Carriages Museum - Carriages Museum inside Bourg Castle grounds, collection of horse-drawn carriages
- Historic Saintes - tour of charming Charente-Maritime town steeped in 2,000 years of history, lush gardens
- Full day excursion to Cognac - walking tour of fortified Cognac city, lunch, Rémy Martin estate tour, cognac sampling
Landmarks/POIs Bourg Castle Cognac - Day 30
Blaye
The ship arrives in Blaye, home to a World Heritage-listed citadel constructed to protect Bordeaux from enemy attacks. Gentle walking tours let you see the citadel overlooking Gironde Estuary, or you can try active tours exploring Sébastien Vauban's defense system, cycling along the Captain's Road, or visiting fortified Château de la Roche Courbon.
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Blaye - charming city stroll with local guide, World Heritage-listed monument overlooking Gironde Estuary
- Active walking tour of Blaye - citadel tour with local guide, Sébastien Vauban defense system
- Cycling along the Captain's Road - active cycling tour
- Visit Château de la Roche Courbon - fortified castle transformed into historic château with manicured gardens
Landmarks/POIs Blaye Citadel Château de la Roche Courbon - Day 31
Bordeaux
Your cruise concludes this morning in Bordeaux. You disembark after breakfast, taking memories of the rivers, wine regions, history, and food you've experienced over the past weeks.
