Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Paris
You'll arrive in Paris this evening before 8:30 PM, giving yourself time to get settled on board the 5-star Scenic Space-Ship. The flight timing lets you board and get comfortable in your cabin without rushing around the airport.
Landmarks Paris - Day 2
Paris to Les Andelys
Starting out with a relaxed morning cruising the Seine toward Les Andelys, a waterside village that's been around for about 900 years. There you can choose between exploring Norman architecture and medieval streets on your own, or joining guided tours to Château Gaillard, local cider farms, or the Renaissance-era Château Gaillon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise along the Seine to Les Andelys
- Free time to explore Les Andelys village
Optional Activities
- Hike to Château Gaillard with Medieval-themed walking tour
- Guided tour of Les Andelys with Château Gaillard
- Cider farm visit and tasting
- Renaissance-era Château Gaillon tour
Landmarks Château Gaillard Château Gaillon - Day 3
Les Andelys to Rouen
After cruising to Rouen, Normandy's capital with over 2,000 years of history behind it, you'll pick from a medieval city tour through historic streets and churches, a Viking-themed tour, or a photography discovery class. Back on the ship later, there's an immersive WWI lecture about what life was like on the Western Front.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise to Rouen
- Expert lecture - WWI: Day in the life of a Tommy (interactive experience with equipment, weapons and rations tasting)
Optional Activities
- Rouen city tour with cathedral district and Joan of Arc sites
- Guided tour of Rouen with Rollo the Viking
- Photography discovery tour of Rouen
Landmarks Rouen Cathedral Joan of Arc Memorial 
- Day 4
Rouen
You have the full day in Rouen to dig into either the region's military history or its food scene. Choose between gourmet food tours sampling Normandy cheeses and cider, or full-day excursions to significant WWI battlefields like the Somme and Thiepval memorial.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Full day in Rouen
Optional Activities
- Tastes of Normandy tour (local cheeses, cider, and calvados tasting)
- Full-day excursion to Somme Battlefields including Newfoundland Memorial Park
- Full-day excursion to Somme Battlefields including Thiepval
Landmarks Australian National Memorial (Sir John Monash Centre) Franco-Australian Museum Newfoundland Memorial Park Lochnagar Crater Thiepval Memorial to the Missing Caterpillar Valley Cemetery - Day 5
Rouen to Honfleur
Cruising west along the Seine brings you to Honfleur, a colorful port city on the English Channel and the birthplace of Impressionism. You'll take a guided walking tour through the charming inner harbor, see the Church of Sainte-Catherine, and visit the Garden of Personalities before exploring freely. That evening there's a lecture about Operation Fortitude and D-Day life in Honfleur.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise to Honfleur
- Guided walking tour of Honfleur's Inner Harbour, Church of Sainte-Catherine, and Garden of Personalities
- Free time to explore Honfleur
- Expert lecture on Operation Fortitude and D-Day in Honfleur
Landmarks Honfleur Inner Harbour Church of Sainte-Catherine Garden of Personalities - Day 6
Honfleur
Spending the full day in Honfleur lets you explore the region's crucial WWII role. There are three historically focused D-Day excursions available from US, UK, or Canadian perspectives visiting landing beaches, memorials, and war cemeteries, or you can head to Bayeux instead to see medieval architecture and historical sites.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Full day in Honfleur
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Normandy Beaches including Omaha Beach (US history focused)
- Excursion to Normandy Beaches including British Normandy Memorial (UK history focused)
- Excursion to Normandy Beaches including Juno Beach Centre (Canadian history focused)
- Bayeux tour including Notre Dame Cathedral
Landmarks Utah Beach Memorial Sainte-Mère-Église Normandy American Cemetery and Visitor Centre Omaha Beach Memorial 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
Honfleur to Caudebec-en-Caux
Cruising inland takes you to Caudebec-en-Caux, a charming medieval riverside town on the Seine. You can choose from active biking tours to nearby Villequier, guided tours of the Bénédictine Palace in Fécamp, French Resistance walking tours, or Abbey Road explorations.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise to Caudebec-en-Caux
Optional Activities
- Cycle to Villequier with Victor Hugo Museum visit (e-bike tour)
- Fécamp and Bénédictine Palace tour with liquor tasting
- Tales of the French Resistance walking tour
- Normandy Abbey Road guided tour
Landmarks Notre Dame Caudebec-en-Caux Villequier Victor Hugo Museum Fécamp Bénédictine Palace - Day 8
Caudebec-en-Caux to Vernon to La Roche-Guyon
Visiting Vernon and nearby Giverny, the birthplace of Impressionism, gives you options like touring Claude Monet's famous house and Japanese-inspired gardens, or taking a self-guided bike ride between the two towns. There's an optional onboard painting class, then the ship cruises to La Roche-Guyon for an exclusive concert experience at the 16th-century château.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise to Vernon
- Scenic Enrich - Exclusive access to Château de La Roche-Guyon with classical concert by French composers, including drink
Optional Activities
- Monet's House and Garden tour in Giverny with free exploration time
- Self-guided cycle from Vernon to Giverny (approximately 5 km each way)
- Onboard painting class
Landmarks Monet's House and Garden Giverny Château de La Roche-Guyon 
- Day 9
La Roche-Guyon to Conflans-Saint-Honorine
Waking in Conflans-Saint-Honorine, a medieval town where the Seine and Oise rivers meet, you'll choose from visiting Auvers-sur-Oise where Van Gogh painted his final works, Château de Chantilly (or Versailles if one's closed), an inland water transport museum, or Château de Malmaison, once home to Napoleon and Josephine. The ship heads back to Paris this afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise to Conflans-Saint-Honorine
- Cruise back to Paris
Optional Activities
- Visit to Auvers-Sur-Oise with entry to Van Gogh's room and free exploration time
- Château de Chantilly guided tour with gardens and free time (Note: Closed Tuesdays - replaced with Versailles Palace and Garden)
- Musée de la Batellerie (Inland Water Transport Museum) active tour
- Château de Malmaison tour (former residence of Napoleon and Josephine)
Landmarks Auvers-Sur-Oise Notre Dame de l'Assomption Church Château de Chantilly Palace of Versailles Musée de la Batellerie Château de Malmaison - Day 10
Paris
You're spending the full day exploring Paris. First-time visitors can tackle bucket-list items like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, while those returning can discover trendy neighborhoods like the Marais, visit the opulent Opéra Garnier, or tour Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. The afternoon is free for exploring at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Full day in Paris
Optional Activities
- Trendy Marais with a local Parisian guided walking tour
- Highlights of Paris city tour (Eiffel Tower, Champs Élysée, Arc de Triomphe, Concorde Square, Notre Dame Cathedral)
- Opéra Garnier tour
- Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte coach tour from Paris
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Notre Dame Cathedral Marais District Opéra Garnier Champs Élysée Arc de Triomphe Concorde Square Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte Montmartre Moulin Rouge - Day 11
Paris to Lyon
Departing Paris on an included flight takes you to Lyon, where you'll board the Scenic Sapphire for a 10-night cruise down the Rhône and Saône Rivers.
Included Activities
- Flight from Paris to Lyon
- Day 12
Cruise to Chalon-sur-Saône
Enjoying a leisurely morning cruising toward Chalon-sur-Saône, a charming town with half-timbered houses in the Burgundy wine region. You can choose from guided tours of nearby Beaune and Les Hospices, a local Burgundy wine estate tasting, or a WWII history tour of the old Franco-German demarcation line.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise towards Chalon-sur-Saône
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Beaune and Les Hospices de Beaune with free exploration time
- Burgundy wine tasting at a local estate
- WWII in Chalon-sur-Saône - Life on the Franco-German demarcation line walking tour
Landmarks Chalon-sur-Saône Beaune Les Hospices de Beaune - Day 13
Chalon-sur-Saône to Tournus
Cruising to Tournus brings you to a Roman-founded riverside town known for its grand Romanesque abbey. Choose from guided tours of historic Château de Cormatin, truffle farm visits, or a cooking demonstration with three-star Michelin chef Georges Blanc. Everyone joins in for an afternoon cooperage demonstration about traditional barrel-making for wine and spirits.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise to Tournus
- Cooperage demonstration (barrel-making craft)
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Château de Cormatin (built 1606 with gardens and water features)
- Truffle tasting with local truffle farmer and hound
- Georges Blanc cooking demonstration in Vonnas with village museum visit
Landmarks Tournus Abbey Château de Cormatin Vonnas - Day 14
Tournon
Spending the morning exploring Tournon's hillside terraced vineyards, 10th-century castle, and cobblestoned streets, you can join guided walking tours, vineyard hikes, or cycling along the Rhône River. The afternoon is free to explore, then gather for an aperitif on Tournon Castle terrace overlooking the river and vineyards.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Aperitif on the terrace of Tournon Castle with views over the Rhône River and vineyards
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Tournon with castle visit and free time
- Hiking through the vineyards in Tournon with local wine tasting
- Biking along the Rhône to nearby village of Glun
Landmarks Tournon Castle Tain l'Hermitage Valrhona Glun - Day 15
Tournon to Avignon
After lunch you'll dock in Avignon, the City of the Popes, a medieval city featuring the UNESCO-listed Palais des Papes and the famous Pont d'Avignon. Choose from walking tours of historic sites, a visit to the ancient Roman Pont du Gard aqueduct, or kayaking beneath it. Evening brings an exclusive gala dinner with classical concert in the Pope's Palace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise to Avignon
- Scenic Enrich - Exclusive after-hours access to Palais des Papes with gala dinner in the Pope's dining room and classical trio concert
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Avignon including Popes Palace visit
- Excursion to Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct guided tour
- Kayaking at Pont du Gard beneath the aqueduct
Landmarks Palais des Papes Pont d'Avignon Pont du Gard Nîmes Gardon River 
- Day 16
Avignon
Spending the full day exploring Avignon, the gateway to Provence, you can visit picturesque Luberon villages like Gordes and Sénanque Abbey, join a market tour with the ship's chef including a cooking demonstration, visit a lavender museum and Roussillon village, or taste wine in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Full day in Avignon
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Luberon villages and Sénanque Abbey (exterior visit on Sundays)
- Shop with a chef & Scenic Culinaire - Market visit and interactive cooking demonstration
- Lavender Museum with visit to the village of Roussillon
- Wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Landmarks Gordes Sénanque Abbey Roussillon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Luberon - Day 17
Avignon to Arles
Sailing to Arles, founded by Julius Caesar in 56BC and home to Vincent Van Gogh, gives you options like guided walking tours of Roman ruins and amphitheaters, visits to Les Baux medieval village with immersive light installations at Carrières de Lumières, olive mill farm visits with Provençal cooking, or lavender field tours with herbal workshops. There's an optional afternoon painting class onboard.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise to Arles
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Arles with Roman amphitheatre (Arènes d'Arles) visit
- Visit Les Baux with Carrières de Lumières immersive visual and musical installation
- Ancestry of the Kitchen with olive mill - Traditional Provençal recipes
- Lavender fields to cream - Provence Herbal Workshop (late June to mid-August)
- Onboard painting class
Landmarks Arènes d'Arles Les Baux Carrières de Lumières 
- Day 18
Arles to Viviers
Arriving in Viviers, a medieval open-air museum founded in the fifth century with narrow winding lanes and rich heritage, you can choose morning tours exploring the town's monuments and Cathedral of St. Vincent, or French Resistance walking tours. Afternoon options include exploring Ardèche Nature Park with a paleolithic cave museum, visiting Madeleine Cave with stalagmites and stalactites, or touring the provincial town of Grignan de Provence.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise to Viviers
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 (paleolithic cave replica)
- Ardèche National Park and Madeleine Cave tour (underground caves with stalagmites, stalactites, and lakes)
- Excursion to Grignan de Provence with castle and Collegiate Church of the Holy Saviour
Landmarks Cathedral of St. Vincent Ardèche Nature Park Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum Madeleine Cave Ardèche Gorge Grignan Grignan Castle Collegiate Church of the Holy Saviour 
- Day 19
Viviers to Lyon
Relaxing on board as you cruise back toward Lyon, enjoying views of the Rhône River, you'll spend the day at your leisure. Bask on the Sun Deck, use the Salt Therapy Lounge, or join a French cookery lesson. Tonight features an exclusive acapella choir performance in the 17th-century Trinity Chapel with Carrara marble interior.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise back towards Lyon
- Scenic Enrich - Acapella choir performance in Trinity Chapel (17th-century Baroque building with Carrara marble interior)
Optional Activities
- French cookery lesson in Scenic Culinaire
Landmarks Trinity Chapel - Day 20
Lyon
Waking in Lyon, France's culinary capital founded by Romans in 43BC, you can choose from guided tours exploring historic traboules and the Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière with city views, visit the medieval walled village of Pérouges perched on a hilltop, or join a silk painting workshop learning about the city's five-century silk heritage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Full day in Lyon
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Lyon with traboules and Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière
- Excursion to Pérouges medieval walled village (high fitness level recommended)
- Silk painting workshop - History and process of silk painting
Landmarks Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière Pérouges Ain River - Day 21
Lyon Departure
Your journey concludes this morning as you say farewell to fellow guests and the Scenic crew, carrying memories of this food-filled adventure through France's rivers and wine regions with you.
