Itinerary
- Day 1
Paris
You'll arrive in Paris by 8:30 PM and board your 5-star ship for a cruise along the Seine. After settling into your suite, there's time to grab dinner and meet fellow travelers before heading out on the water tonight.
Landmarks/POIs Paris - Day 2
Les Andelys
The ship cruises gently along the Seine toward Les Andelys, a waterside village with Norman-era buildings. You can hike to the imposing ruins of Château Gaillard overlooking the town, take a guided tour, visit a local cider farm, or explore Renaissance Château Gaillon. Activities vary based on your interests and energy level.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise along the Seine to Les Andelys
Optional Activities
- Hike to Château Gaillard with Medieval-themed walking tour
- Guided tour of Les Andelys with Château Gaillard visit
- Cider farm visit with tasting
- Renaissance-era Château Gaillon tour
Landmarks/POIs Château Gaillard Château Gaillon - Day 3
Rouen
Rouen offers over 2,000 years of history with its Old Town, 12th-century Cathedral, and Joan of Arc sites. Choose from a guided city tour, a Medieval-themed tour with a Viking character, or a photography discovery class. Later tonight, there's a lecture about WWI soldier life that ties into the region's military past.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Expert evening lecture - 'Day in the life of a Tommy' WWI experience
Optional Activities
- Rouen city tour with cathedral district and Joan of Arc sites
- Guided tour of Rouen with Viking character Rollo
- Photography discovery class with local photographer
Landmarks/POIs Rouen Cathedral Saint-Maclou Quarter Joan of Arc Execution Site - Day 4
Rouen
You have the full day to explore Rouen and the surrounding region. Try local cheeses, cider, and calvados at a tasting, or head to the Somme Battlefields to see memorials and museums dedicated to WWI. Either path gives you a chance to understand Normandy's complex history.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Tastes of Normandy tour - local cheese, cider, and calvados tasting
- Full day excursion to Somme Battlefields with Newfoundland Memorial Park, Australian National Memorial, Franco-Australian Museum, Lochnagar Crater
- Full day excursion to Somme Battlefields with Thiepval Memorial, Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Australian National Memorial, Franco-Australian Museum, Lochnagar Crater
Landmarks/POIs Newfoundland Memorial Park Thiepval Memorial Lochnagar Crater Caterpillar Valley Cemetery - Day 5
Honfleur
The ship heads west to Honfleur, a colorful port city on the English Channel and birthplace of Impressionism. You'll walk through the Inner Harbour and see the Church of Sainte-Catherine and Garden of Personalities. Later, there's free time to wander, and tonight features a lecture about Operation Fortitude and D-Day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Honfleur Inner Harbour
- Visit Church of Sainte-Catherine
- Visit Garden of Personalities
- Expert evening lecture about Operation Fortitude and D-Day campaign
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Honfleur independently
Landmarks/POIs Honfleur Inner Harbour Church of Sainte-Catherine - Day 6
Honfleur
Today you explore Honfleur's important WWII role. Visit the Normandy Beaches with options for US-focused Omaha Beach, UK-focused sites in Bayeux, or Canadian-focused Juno Beach. Alternatively, explore medieval Bayeux and its historic architecture without the beach focus.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Normandy Beaches including Omaha Beach - Utah Beach memorial, Sainte-Mère-Église, Normandy American Cemetery, Omaha Beach Memorial
- Excursion to Normandy Beaches including British Normandy Memorial - Bayeux War Cemetery, Museum of the Battle of Normandy, Landing Museum at Arromanches, British Normandy Memorial, Pegasus Bridge & Museum, Ranville War Cemetery
- Excursion to Normandy Beaches including Juno Beach Centre - Abbey d'Ardenne, Juno Beach Centre, Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery, Pegasus Bridge & Museum
- Bayeux tour including Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux with free time to explore
Landmarks/POIs Omaha Beach Utah Beach Sainte-Mère-Église Normandy American Cemetery Bayeux War Cemetery Museum of the Battle of Normandy Landing Museum at Arromanches British Normandy Memorial Pegasus Bridge & Museum Ranville War Cemetery Abbey d'Ardenne Juno Beach Centre Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux - Day 7
Caudebec-en-Caux
Early cruise inland to Caudebec-en-Caux, a small Medieval town on the Seine. Cycle to Villequier to see the Victor Hugo Museum, visit Fécamp and Bénédictine Palace, learn about French Resistance stories, or explore historic abbeys along the Abbey Road. Options suit different activity levels.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- E-bike cycling tour to Villequier with Victor Hugo Museum visit
- Coach transfer to Fécamp with guided Bénédictine Palace tour and tasting
- Walking tour - Tales of the French Resistance
- Normandy Abbey Road walking tour
Landmarks/POIs Notre Dame Caudebec-en-Caux Villequier Victor Hugo Museum Fécamp Bénédictine Palace - Day 8
Vernon to La Roche-Guyon
You reach Vernon and nearby Giverny, home to Impressionist artist Claude Monet. Visit his House and Garden with its famous water lilies or take a self-guided bike ride through the countryside. Back on board, there's a painting class inspired by the gardens. This evening brings a classical concert at Château de La Roche-Guyon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich - Château de La Roche-Guyon tour with drink and classical concert featuring French composers
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Monet's House and Garden in Giverny
- Self-guided e-bike cycling from Vernon to Giverny
- On-board painting class inspired by Giverny gardens
Landmarks/POIs Monet's House and Garden Château de La Roche-Guyon 
- Day 9
Conflans-Saint-Honorine to Paris
Wake in Medieval Conflans-Saint-Honorine at the confluence of the Seine and Oise rivers. Walk through quiet streets and riverside pathways, then choose between visiting Auvers-sur-Oise where Van Gogh painted, touring Château de Chantilly or Versailles, exploring the Inland Water Transport Museum, or visiting Château de Malmaison. The ship returns to Paris this afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit to Auvers-sur-Oise including Van Gogh's room and Notre Dame de l'Assomption church with free time
- Guided tour of Château de Chantilly with gardens and free time (Versailles substituted if Chantilly closed on Tuesday)
- Musée de la Batellerie - Inland Water Transport Museum tour
- Château de Malmaison tour - Napoleon Bonaparte's historic estate with neoclassical architecture and gardens
Landmarks/POIs Auvers-sur-Oise Notre Dame de l'Assomption Château de Chantilly Palace of Versailles Château de Malmaison - Day 10
Paris
Full day in Paris with choices like a walking tour of the Marais with a local guide, a coach tour hitting highlights including the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, exploring Opera Garnier, or visiting Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. Afternoon is free to check out the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysée, Montmartre, or relax on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Trendy Marais guided walking tour with local Parisian guide
- Highlights of Paris city coach tour - Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysée, Arc de Triomphe, Concorde Square, Notre Dame Cathedral
- Guided tour of Opera Garnier with ornately decorated rooms and chandeliers
- Coach excursion to Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte
- Free time to visit Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysée, Montmartre, or Moulin Rouge
Landmarks/POIs Marais District Eiffel Tower Champs-Élysée Arc de Triomphe Concorde Square Notre Dame Cathedral Opera Garnier Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte Montmartre Moulin Rouge - Day 11
Paris to Bordeaux
You'll board an included flight from Paris to Bordeaux and step aboard the luxurious Scenic Diamond for your cruise through the Bordeaux wine region. After settling in, there's time to rest or explore the ship before departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Included flight from Paris to Bordeaux
- Day 12
Libourne
The ship sails through tranquil riverside scenery toward Libourne. After lunch, there's a tour to Saint-Émilion, a World Heritage village with thousands of years of history. You'll see the unique Monolithic Church carved directly into limestone. The ship docks overnight in Libourne, a beautiful 13th-century port and winemaking capital.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour to Saint-Émilion
- Visit to Monolithic Church in Saint-Émilion
Landmarks/POIs Saint-Émilion Monolithic Church - Day 13
Libourne
Spend the morning in Libourne and surroundings. Choose from a walking tour of the town's rich history, exploring vineyards and tasting wines at Saint-Émilion, cycling through wine regions to Château Siaurac, or joining a Paint and Pour class on the Sun Deck. The ship sets sail this afternoon for Fort Médoc.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Libourne with history of wool, wine, salt and wood trade
- Wines and Vineyards of Saint-Émilion journey with tasting
- E-bike cycling and tasting at Château Siaurac
- Paint and Pour watercolour class on Sun Deck with local wines
Landmarks/POIs Château Siaurac - Day 14
Fort Médoc
Explore the Médoc region, the world's leading red wine producer and home to legendary châteaux. Take a coach tour through scenic vineyards to a local winery for tasting, or discover the countryside by e-bike to prestigious estates. Tonight features a classical concert at 13th-century Château d'Agassac.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich - Classical concert at Château d'Agassac
Optional Activities
- Médoc wine tasting by coach through Route des Châteaux
- Médoc wine tasting by e-bike with sampling at prestigious estates
Landmarks/POIs Château d'Agassac - Day 15
Cadillac
Relax on board as you sail to Cadillac. You can book spa treatments or learn French cuisine at the Scenic Culinaire cooking school. After lunch, you'll arrive in picturesque Cadillac, a historic town founded in 1280 and the birthplace of the Cadillac automobile brand.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Spa treatments on board
- Scenic Culinaire cooking school French cuisine class
- Day 16
Cadillac
Explore the Sauternes wine region known for sweet, fortified wines. Morning activities include a coach tour through vineyards with tasting or cycling through rolling hills. Afternoon options let you tour ancient Roquetaillade Castle, cycle through Loupiac to Château Benauge, or visit Château Toulouse-Lautrec with its historic rooms.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Sauternes by coach with vineyard tasting
- Sauternes by e-bike cycling tour with tasting
- Roquetaillade Castle guided tour
- E-bike cycling in Loupiac wine region with Château Benauge views
- Château Toulouse-Lautrec guided tour featuring historic rooms and famous painter's apartments
Landmarks/POIs Roquetaillade Castle Château Benauge Château Toulouse-Lautrec - Day 17
Bordeaux
Explore Bordeaux's culinary delights and scenic treasures. Choose a guided city tour of the Gothic cathedral and Place de la Bourse, pedal through historic districts sampling local treats like canelé, shop with the on-board chef at a market and attend a cooking demonstration, or taste fresh oysters from Arcachon Bay. Tonight brings afterhours access to a digital art installation with Champagne.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich - Afterhours access to Bassins des Lumières with Champagne and exclusive customised digital art show
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Bordeaux highlights - Gothic cathedral and Place de la Bourse
- Guided cycling tour of Bordeaux with samples of local treats like canelé
- Shop with a chef at local food market with cooking demonstration on board
- Fresh oyster tasting from Arcachon Bay
Landmarks/POIs Bassins des Lumières Place de la Bourse - Day 18
Bordeaux to Bourg
Continue exploring Bordeaux with interactive wine discovery at Cité du Vin Museum via local tram, cruise by motorbike and sidecar with a host, or visit the charming bayside town of Arcachon with a walking tour and market. Afternoon is free on board as you sail toward Bourg.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Cité du Vin Museum with local tram and interactive wine discovery journey
- Motorbike & sidecar tour of Bordeaux
- Walking tour of Arcachon with Baltard market visit
Landmarks/POIs Cité du Vin Museum Arcachon Baltard Market - Day 19
Bourg
Visit picturesque Bourg, a rocky promontory town with a defensive château, ancient alleyways, moats, and bell towers. Choose from touring the Carriages Museum within the castle grounds, exploring historic Saintes with 2,000 years of history, or taking a full-day excursion to Cognac with a walking tour, Rémy Martin estate visit, and brandy tasting.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Bourg with Carriages Museum guided tour inside Bourg Castle grounds
- Historic Saintes tour in Charente-Maritime
- Full-day Cognac excursion including walking tour, Rémy Martin estate tour, and cognac sampling
Landmarks/POIs Bourg Castle Saintes Cognac Rémy Martin Estate - Day 20
Blaye
Arrive in Blaye, a small hamlet home to a World Heritage citadel built to protect Bordeaux. Stroll through charming Blaye with a local guide, take an active walking tour of the citadel learning about architect Sébastien Vauban's defense system, cycle along the Captain's Road, or visit Château de la Roche Courbon with its manicured gardens.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Blaye viewing World Heritage-listed citadel overlooking Gironde Estuary
- Active walking tour of Blaye citadel with Vauban defence system explanation
- E-bike cycling tour along Captain's Road
- Château de la Roche Courbon guided visit with fortified castle and gardens
Landmarks/POIs Citadel of Blaye Château de la Roche Courbon - Day 21
Bordeaux to Lyon
Board an included flight from Bordeaux to Lyon and step aboard the luxurious Scenic Sapphire for your cruise through Burgundy and the Rhône Valley wine regions. After check-in, settle in and orient yourself with the ship's amenities and onboard options.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Included flight from Bordeaux to Lyon
- Day 22
Chalon-sur-Saône
Relax on board as you cruise north into the Burgundy wine region to Chalon-sur-Saône. Request coffee in your suite, lounge in the Scenic Sapphire Lounge, or explore this charming town known for half-timbered houses and as the birthplace of photography inventor Nicéphore Niépce. Wine tasting, medieval Beaune tours, and WWII history tours are available.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Burgundy wine discovery tour with local winemakers and wine tasting
- Guided tour of Beaune and Les Hospices de Beaune Gothic-style museum with free time
- WWII in Chalon-sur-Saône tour - French Resistance, Demarcation Line, and town's WWII role
Landmarks/POIs Beaune Les Hospices de Beaune - Day 23
Tournon
You arrive early in riverside Tournon, founded by Romans and featuring a Romanesque abbey. Tour exquisite Renaissance Château de Cormatin with gilded rooms, attend a cooking demonstration at world-renowned Michelin-starred restaurant Georges Blanc, or visit a truffle farm with truffle-hunting dogs. There's also a cooperage demonstration about barrel making. The ship cruises to Tournon this afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cooperage demonstration - ancient craft of barrel making for wine production
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Château de Cormatin with Renaissance architecture, gilded rooms, moat, and 10+ hectares of gardens
- Georges Blanc cooking demonstration at Michelin-starred restaurant in Vonnas with gourmet village and museum visit
- Truffle farm visit with truffle-hunting dogs and tasting
Landmarks/POIs Château de Cormatin Georges Blanc 
- Day 24
Tournon
Spend the morning in Tournon, known for terraced vineyards, a 10th-century castle, and world-famous Syrah wines. Choose from Côtes du Rhône wine tasting, hiking through sloping vineyards, walking tours visiting the castle and France's oldest suspension bridge to Tain l'Hermitage with Valrhona chocolatiers, or e-biking the Via Rhona route. Afternoon is free. Evening features a regional dessert buffet.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dessert buffet from local pâtissier with delicate pastries, silky creams, and vibrant confections)
Included Activities
- Dessert buffet on board from local pâtissier - regional pastries, creams, and confections
Optional Activities
- Côtes du Rhône wine tasting with local wine expert
- Hiking through Tournon vineyards with wine production and tasting
- Walking tour of Tournon castle and France's oldest suspension bridge to Tain l'Hermitage with Valrhona chocolatiers
- E-biking Via Rhona route between Tournon and Gun with Rhône River views
Landmarks/POIs Tournon Castle Tain l'Hermitage Valrhona - Day 25
Avignon
Relax on board as you cruise south, booking a massage or enjoying the Sun Deck. After lunch you'll dock in Avignon, the City of the Popes with its World Heritage Palais des Papes. Choose from a walking tour through ancient cobblestone streets, visiting the Roman Pont du Gard aqueduct, or kayaking beneath the World Heritage structure. Evening brings a gala dinner with classical musicians in the papal banquet hall.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich - Exclusive gala dinner inside Palais des Papes banquet hall with classical quartet performance
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Avignon with Pope's Palace and cobblestone streets (moderate fitness required)
- Excursion to Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct with museum tour
- Kayaking at Pont du Gard on Gardon River beneath aqueduct
Landmarks/POIs Palais des Papes Pont du Gard 
- Day 26
Avignon
Watch sunrise over Avignon's ancient rooftops and explore the city's gourmet charms or venture to Provence. Choose from wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, excursions to Luberon villages and Sénanque Abbey, shopping with a chef at Avignon Market with a cooking demonstration, or visiting the Lavender Museum with Roussillon village and the Ochre Trail tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Wines of the Popes wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape with grenache and exclusive appellation wines
- Excursion to Luberon villages including Gordes and Sénanque Abbey (exterior only on Sundays)
- Shop with a chef & Scenic Culinaire at Avignon Market with cooking demonstration (Avignon Market closed Mondays)
- Lavender Museum visit with field and guided tour of Roussillon village with Ochre Trail
Landmarks/POIs Châteauneuf-du-Pape Gordes Sénanque Abbey Lavender Museum Roussillon - Day 27
Arles
Cruise through Provence to Arles, the southernmost point of your journey near the Mediterranean. Founded by Julius Caesar over 2,000 years ago, the city hosts the largest Roman ruins outside Rome. Choose from Provence rosé wine tasting in sun-drenched vineyards, a guided tour of Arles' Roman ruins and striking light, or exploring the Carrières de Lumières digital art space and medieval Les Baux village. An optional painting class is available.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Provence in Pink - Rosé wine tasting with terroir and vineyard discovery
- Guided tour of Arles with Roman ruins, artistic heritage, and local culture insights
- Les Baux with Carrières de Lumières 7,000-square-metre immersive digital art space and medieval village exploration
Landmarks/POIs Arles Roman Amphitheatre Carrières de Lumières Les Baux 
- Day 28
Viviers
The ship cruises north overnight to Viviers, an open-air museum founded in the fifth century with narrow, zig-zagging lanes and character unchanged over 1,600 years. You'll see the Cathedral of St Vincent with medieval, Gothic, and Renaissance styles. Choose from walking tours with free time, French Resistance tales tours, wine tasting, visits to the Ardèche Nature Park with the Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum, or excursions to Grignan.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Viviers architectural treasures including Cathedral of St Vincent with free time
- French Resistance walking tour with stories of WWII heroism and resistance missions
- Côtes du Rhône Villages guided wine tasting with Rhône Valley terroir and winemaking traditions
- Ardèche Nature Park with Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum - largest decorated Palaeolithic cave replica
- Excursion to Grignan with castle and Collegiate Church of the Holy Saviour with free time
Landmarks/POIs Cathedral of St Vincent Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Grignan 
- Day 29
Cruise to Lyon
Full day on board cruising back toward Lyon. Admire the beautiful Rhône River vistas, taste local wines over lunch, or join a French cookery lesson in Scenic Culinaire. The evening brings an acapella choir performance inside the grand Baroque Trinity Chapel with Carrera marble and sublime acoustics.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich - Exclusive acapella choir performance in Trinity Chapel Baroque interior with Carrera marble
Optional Activities
- Local wine tasting over lunch
- French cookery lesson in Scenic Culinaire
- Day 30
Lyon
Spend your final day in Lyon, France's culinary capital at the Rhône and Saône rivers confluence with 4,000 restaurants including 20 Michelin-starred establishments. Choose from a guided coach tour of Roman ruins and Notre Dame Basilica, a medieval Pérouges village walking tour (high fitness required), or a silk painting workshop learning Lyon's 15th-century heritage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided coach tour of Lyon - Roman ruins, traboules secret passageways, Notre Dame Basilica city views
- Excursion to Pérouges medieval walled village with walking tour through vine-covered buildings and market square (high fitness required for uneven surfaces and hills)
- Silk painting workshop learning Lyon's 15th-century silk production heritage
Landmarks/POIs Notre Dame Basilica Pérouges - Day 31
Departure
Your journey concludes this morning. You'll say farewell to fellow guests and the Scenic crew, departing with vivid memories of France's most famous wine regions and the stories they hold.
