Itinerary
- Day 1
Bordeaux
You'll arrive in Bordeaux and step aboard the Scenic Diamond, where you'll meet other passengers and raise a glass to begin this river cruise through France's wine country.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Board Scenic Diamond river cruise ship
Landmarks Bordeaux Waterfront 
- Day 2
Garonne - Dordogne to Libourne
The ship heads toward Libourne as you visit the medieval village of Saint-Émilion, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can see the Monolithic Church carved right into the limestone, then you'll stay overnight in Libourne, which has been a wine hub since the 13th century.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Saint-Émilion
- Visit Monolithic Church in Saint-Émilion
Landmarks Saint-Émilion Monolithic Church - Day 3
Libourne to Fort Médoc
This morning you have choices in Libourne, whether it's a guided tour, wine tasting, bike ride, or painting class. In the afternoon the ship sails toward Fort Médoc, giving you time to settle in before arriving.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Libourne
- Wines and Vineyards of Saint-Émilion excursion
- Biking and tasting at Château Siaurac
- Paint and Pour - watercolour painting class with local wines on Scenic Cruise Director's Sun Deck
Landmarks Libourne Château Siaurac - Day 4
Fort Médoc
You'll explore the Médoc region, famous for red wines. Pick between a coach tour or e-bike ride through the Route des Châteaux for tastings, or go to a classical concert at Château d'Agassac, a 13th-century property.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Médoc wine tasting by coach through Route des Châteaux
- Médoc wine tasting by e-bike
- Classical Concert at Château d'Agassac (Scenic Enrich experience)
Landmarks Château d'Agassac - Day 5
Fort Médoc to Cadillac
Relax on board while sailing to Cadillac. You can try spa treatments or French cooking classes during the journey. After lunch you'll arrive in this historic 1280-founded town known for its grand buildings and surprising connection to Detroit's auto industry.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Spa treatment on board
- French cuisine cooking lesson at Scenic Culinaire
Landmarks Cadillac - Day 6
Cadillac
The morning focuses on the Sauternes wine region with activities of your choosing. Afternoon options include Roquetaillade Castle, biking through Loupiac vineyards, or visiting Château Toulouse-Lautrec to see where the famous painter lived.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Sauternes wine tasting by coach
- Sauternes wine tasting by bike
- Roquetaillade Castle tour
- Biking in the Loupiac wine region with Château Benauge
- Château Toulouse-Lautrec guided tour
Landmarks Roquetaillade Castle Château Benauge Château Toulouse-Lautrec - Day 7
Cadillac to Bordeaux
Back in Bordeaux, you'll pick between guided city tours, cycling through old streets to try canelé cakes, shopping with a chef at local markets, or oyster tastings from Arcachon Bay. Later you'll get exclusive access to digital art at Bassins des Lumières.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tasting of fresh oysters from Arcachon Bay
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Bordeaux with cathedral and Place de la Bourse
- Cycling tour of Bordeaux with treats sampling
- Shop with a chef at local food market and cooking demonstration
- Afterhours access to Bassins des Lumières with Champagne and exclusive digital art show (Scenic Enrich experience)
Landmarks Bassins des Lumières Gothic Cathedral of Bordeaux Place de la Bourse - Day 8
Bordeaux to Bourg
More Bordeaux options come your way today, like the interactive wine museum at Cité du Vin, motorcycle and sidecar tours, or the bayside town of Arcachon with its historic Baltard food market. You'll have afternoon leisure time before the ship sails toward Bourg.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Cité du Vin Museum with local tram transfer
- Tour Bordeaux by motorbike and sidecar
- Visit Arcachon with walking tour and Baltard market
Landmarks Cité du Vin Museum Arcachon Baltard Market - Day 9
Bourg
You'll dock in Bourg, sitting on a rocky hilltop with medieval streets to wander. Choose between the Carriages Museum in Bourg Castle, historic Saintes, or a full day in Cognac with a tour of the Rémy Martin estate.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Bourg with Carriages Museum inside Bourg Castle
- Historic Saintes tour
- Full day excursion to Cognac with walking tour, lunch, and Rémy Martin estate tour with cognac sampling
Landmarks Bourg Castle Carriages Museum Saintes Cognac Rémy Martin Estate - Day 10
Bourg to Blaye
Blaye is a small town with a UNESCO-listed citadel built to protect Bordeaux. You can do a leisurely walk, take an active citadel tour about Vauban's defenses, bike the Captain's Road, or visit Château de la Roche Courbon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Blaye with World Heritage citadel
- Active walking tour of Blaye citadel with Vauban defense system explanation
- Cycling along the Captain's Road
- Visit Château de la Roche Courbon with guided tour and manicured gardens
Landmarks Citadel of Blaye Château de la Roche Courbon - Day 11
Blaye to Lyon
You'll take an included flight from Bordeaux to Lyon, then board the Scenic Sapphire for a 10-night cruise down the Seine River.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Flight from Bordeaux to Lyon
- Day 12
Lyon to Chalon-sur-Saône
As you sail toward Chalon-sur-Saône, you'll have options to explore the Burgundy wine region. Visit Beaune with its Gothic cathedral, taste wines at an estate, or take a WWII history walk along the Franco-German border.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Beaune and Les Hospices de Beaune
- Burgundy wine tasting at local estate in Côte de Beaune
- WWII in Chalon-sur-Saône - French Demarcation Line and French Resistance walking tour
Landmarks Beaune Les Hospices de Beaune Chalon-sur-Saône - Day 13
Chalon-sur-Saône to Tournon
This morning you'll admire the river views cruising toward Tournon, with options like visiting Château de Cormatin with its gilded rooms, a truffle farm demonstration, or a cooking class with Georges Blanc, a three-star Michelin chef. Everyone joins for an afternoon barrel-making demonstration.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cooperage demonstration showcasing ancient craft of barrel making
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Château de Cormatin with guided tour
- Truffle Tasting with local truffle farmer
- Georges Blanc cooking demonstration with village orientation and museum visit
Landmarks Château de Cormatin Vonnas 
- Day 14
Tournon
Tournon sits on hillsides with terraced vineyards and a 10th-century castle. Walk through the town and castle, hike the vineyards, or cycle the Rhône riverbanks. You'll have free time in the afternoon, then gather on the castle terrace for an aperitif overlooking the valley.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Aperitif on Tournon Castle terrace
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Tournon with castle visit and free time
- Hiking through vineyards in Tournon overlooking Rhône River with wine tasting
- Biking along the Rhône to village of Glun
Landmarks Tournon Castle Tain l'Hermitage Valrhona Chocolatiers Glun - Day 15
Tournon to Avignon
You'll dock in Avignon, the City of the Popes, after lunch. Choose morning activities like exploring the Palais des Papes, visiting the Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct, or kayaking beneath it. Later there's an exclusive gala dinner at the Pope's Palace with classical music.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Avignon including Palais des Papes (Pope's Palace)
- Excursion to Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct with guided tour
- Kayaking at Pont du Gard beneath World Heritage aqueduct on Gardon River
- Exclusive afterhours gala dinner at Palais des Papes with classical trio concert (Scenic Enrich experience)
Landmarks Palais des Papes Pont d'Avignon Pont du Gard - Day 16
Avignon
This full day in Avignon lets you explore Provence with many choices, from the perched village of Gordes and Sénanque Abbey to shopping with a chef for cooking demos, visiting lavender producers in Roussillon, or wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Luberon villages with Gordes and Sénanque Abbey (exterior visit on Sundays)
- Shop with a chef at local market and Scenic Culinaire cooking demonstration (Avignon Market closed Mondays)
- Lavender Museum with lavender producer and guided tour of Roussillon village
- Wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape with Côte du Rhône vineyard experience
Landmarks Gordes Sénanque Abbey Roussillon Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Day 17
Avignon to Arles
Arles has rich Roman history going back to Julius Caesar and holds the most Roman ruins outside Rome. It's also where Van Gogh stayed and found inspiration in 1888. Take a guided tour of the amphitheater, visit Les Baux village, explore olive farms, try lavender workshops, or paint onboard.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Arles with Arènes d'Arles Roman amphitheatre visit
- Visit Les Baux with Carrières de Lumières immersive visual and musical installation
- Ancestry of the Kitchen with olive mill tour and traditional Provençal recipes
- Lavender fields to cream - Provence Herbal Workshop at organic farm (late June to mid-August)
- Onboard painting class
Landmarks Arènes d'Arles Les Baux Carrières de Lumières 
- Day 18
Arles to Viviers
You'll arrive in Viviers, an open-air museum of medieval heritage dating to the 5th century. Morning activities include walking tours and French Resistance stories. Afternoons bring options like Ardèche Nature Park with cave museums or exploring Grignan de Provence village.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Viviers with Cathedral of St. Vincent visit and free exploration
- French Resistance walking tour of Viviers
- Ardèche Nature Park with Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum (largest decorated Palaeolithic cave replica)
- Ardèche National Park and Madeleine Cave with rock formations, stalagmites, stalactites
- Excursion to Grignan de Provence with castle and Collegiate Church visit
Landmarks Cathedral of St. Vincent, Viviers Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum Madeleine Cave Grignan de Provence - Day 19
Viviers to Lyon
You'll cruise back toward Lyon with time to relax on the Sun Deck, visit the Salt Therapy Lounge, or take French cooking lessons. That evening you'll hear an acapella choir performance at a 17th-century Trinity Chapel decorated in Carrara marble.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Acapella choir performance at Trinity Chapel (Scenic Enrich experience)
Optional Activities
- French cookery lesson at Scenic Culinaire
Landmarks Trinity Chapel - Day 20
Lyon
In Lyon, France's culinary capital with over 4,000 restaurants, explore hidden traboules and secret passageways, visit the Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière, or discover Pérouges, a walled medieval village. There's also an optional silk painting workshop about Lyon's five-century silk heritage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Lyon with traboules and passageways, Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière
- Excursion to Pérouges medieval walled village (high fitness level required for uneven surfaces and steep terrain)
- Silk painting workshop learning Lyon's silk production history
Landmarks Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière Pérouges - Day 21
Lyon to Paris
An included flight takes you from Lyon to Paris, where you'll board the Scenic Gem for a 10-night cruise along the Seine River.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Flight from Lyon to Paris
- Day 22
Paris to Les Andelys
The ship cruises gently to Les Andelys, a 900-year-old waterside village with well-preserved Norman buildings overlooking ruins of King Richard the Lionheart's castle. Afternoon options include a hike to Château Gaillard, a town tour, cider farm visit, or exploring Renaissance Château Gaillon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Hike to Château Gaillard with medieval-themed 'Richard the Lionheart' walking tour
- Tour of Les Andelys with Château Gaillard visit
- Cider farm visit to see artisanal production and taste distinctive effervescent drink
- Renaissance-era Château Gaillon 16th-century tour
Landmarks Château Gaillard Château Gaillon - Day 23
Les Andelys to Rouen
In Rouen, Normandy's capital with over 2,000 years of history, you can take guided city tours seeing 'the city of a hundred spires,' explore the Medieval quarter, visit Joan of Arc sites, or do a Viking guide tour. That evening there's a WWI lecture with equipment demos and period rations.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Expert lecture: WWI - Day in the life of a Tommy with immersive experience, equipment try-on, and period rations tasting
Optional Activities
- Rouen city tour visiting cathedral district, old marketplace, Saint-Maclou Quarter, Joan of Arc death site
- Guided tour of Rouen with Rollo the Viking authentic experience
- Photography discovery with local photographer using Rouen as landscape
Landmarks Rouen Cathedral Saint-Maclou Quarter 
- Day 24
Rouen
You have a full day in Rouen to choose your focus. Taste the region's famous cheeses, ciders and calvados, do a Somme Battlefields excursion with Australian memorials and cemeteries, or explore more of Rouen itself.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Tastes of Normandy - local producers tasting soft cheeses, cider, and calvados
- Excursion to Somme Battlefields including Newfoundland Memorial Park with Australian National Memorial, Franco-Australian Museum, and Lochnagar Crater
- Excursion to Somme Battlefields including Thiepval with Sir John Monash Centre, Franco-Australian Museum, Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Thiepval Memorial, and Lochnagar Crater
Landmarks Somme Battlefields Sir John Monash Centre Franco-Australian Museum Lochnagar Crater Newfoundland Memorial Park Thiepval Memorial to the Missing Caterpillar Valley Cemetery - Day 25
Rouen to Honfleur
You'll cruise west to Honfleur, a colorful port city on the English Channel edge and birthplace of Impressionism. Walk through its bustling harbor, cobbled streets, and half-timbered houses. Later there's a lecture on Operation Fortitude and D-Day stories from Honfleur residents.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Honfleur with Inner Harbour, Church of Sainte-Catherine, and Garden of Personalities
- Evening lecture about Operation Fortitude and daily life during D-Day campaign
Landmarks Honfleur Inner Harbour Church of Sainte-Catherine Garden of Personalities - Day 26
Honfleur
This full day in Honfleur covers its WWII role in Normandy. Pick between US-focused beach tours with Utah and Omaha beaches, UK-focused tours with Bayeux, Canadian-focused tours with Juno Beach Centre, or a historic Bayeux tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Normandy Beaches including Omaha Beach (US history focused) with Utah Beach memorial, Sainte-Mère-Église, Normandy American Cemetery, Visitor Centre, and Omaha Beach Memorial
- Excursion to Normandy Beaches including British Normandy Memorial (UK history focused) with Bayeux War Cemetery, Museum of the Battle of Normandy, Landing Museum at Arromanches, British Normandy Memorial, Pegasus Bridge & Museum, and Ranville War Cemetery
- Excursion to Normandy Beaches including Juno Beach Centre (Canadian history focused) with Abbey d'Ardenne, Juno Beach Centre, Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery, and Pegasus Bridge & Museum
- Bayeux tour including Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux
Landmarks Utah Beach Sainte-Mère-Église Omaha Beach Normandy American Cemetery Bayeux 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 27
Honfleur to Caudebec-en-Caux
The ship heads inland to Caudebec-en-Caux, a medieval town on a Seine curve with handsome riverside homes and a 15th-century Notre Dame church that survived WWII bombing. You can e-bike to Villequier, tour Fécamp's Bénédictine Palace, explore Resistance stories, or visit Abbey Road sites.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Cycle to Villequier with Victor Hugo Museum on e-bike along Seine (eight-kilometre each way flat route)
- Fécamp and Bénédictine Palace coach transfer with guided tour and tasting of Bénédictine liquor (27 plants and spices)
- Tales of the French Resistance walking tour
- Normandy Abbey Road with local guide exploring grand abbeys on Seine riverbanks
Landmarks Notre Dame Caudebec-en-Caux Villequier Victor Hugo Museum, Villequier Fécamp Bénédictine Palace - Day 28
Caudebec-en-Caux to La Roche-Guyon
You'll explore Vernon and nearby Giverny, where Claude Monet spent 40+ years and created his famous works. Tour his house and Japanese garden, cycle to Giverny yourself, or take a painting class onboard. Later you'll cruise to La Roche-Guyon for an evening at a 16th-century château with drinks and classical French music.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Classical concert at Château de La Roche-Guyon with drink reception (Scenic Enrich experience)
Optional Activities
- Monet's House and Garden tour at Giverny with free exploration time
- Self-guided cycle from Vernon to Giverny (approximately five kilometres each way) with free time at Monet's House or village exploration
- Onboard painting class
Landmarks Giverny Monet's House and Garden Château de La Roche-Guyon - Day 29
La Roche-Guyon to Conflans-Saint-Honorine
You'll wake in Conflans-Saint-Honorine at the Seine-Oise confluence, a quiet medieval spot worlds away from Paris. Explore the streets, riverside paths, and a 9th-century castle. Visit Auvers-sur-Oise where Van Gogh painted his final works, tour Château de Chantilly, see the water transport museum, or visit Château de Malmaison.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit to Auvers-Sur-Oise with Van Gogh's final masterpiece landmarks and attic room entry with free exploration
- Château de Chantilly guided tour with fine collections and gardens (closed Tuesdays - replaced with Versailles Palace and Garden tour)
- Musée de la Batellerie (Inland Water Transport Museum) active tour
- Château de Malmaison Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine de Beauharnais former residence tour with neoclassical architecture and gardens
Landmarks Auvers-Sur-Oise Notre Dame de l'Assomption Church, Auvers Van Gogh's Room Château de Chantilly Versailles Palace and Garden Musée de la Batellerie Château de Malmaison - Day 30
Conflans-Saint-Honorine to Paris
Back in Paris, choose between the trendy Marais district with a local guide, Paris highlights by coach with the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, Opera Garnier tour, or Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte which inspired Versailles. You'll have free afternoon time to explore at your own pace or relax onboard.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Trendy Marais with a local Parisian guided walking tour
- Highlights of Paris city tour with Eiffel Tower, Champs Élysée, Arc de Triomphe, Concorde Square, Notre Dame Cathedral
- Opera Garnier tour with ornately decorated rooms, grand staircases, chandeliers
- Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte coach tour with French formal gardens inspiration for Versailles
Landmarks 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 31
Paris
Your journey ends this morning after breakfast. You'll disembark with memories of your time in France, then transfer to Paris airport or train station for your next destination.
- Meals
- Breakfast
