Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Lyon
You'll arrive in Lyon and transfer to the Scenic Sapphire cruise ship. Spend the afternoon settling into your suite and relaxing on the Sun Deck while taking in views of the city.
- Day 2
Mâcon
The ship heads toward Mâcon, gateway to Burgundy wine country. You have four choices for the day: visit the Renaissance Château de Cormatin, attend a cooking demonstration at Michelin-starred restaurant Georges Blanc, explore truffle farming and tasting, or walk through historic Cluny Abbey.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activities (choose one): Excursion to Château de Cormatin with guided tour and gardens, OR Georges Blanc cooking demonstration at Michelin-starred restaurant in Vonnas, OR Truffle tasting at local farm with farmer and hound, OR Excursion to Cluny Abbey with guided tour
Landmarks/POIs Château de Cormatin Cluny Abbey - Day 3
Vienne
You'll dock in Vienne on the Rhône River south of Lyon. Pick one morning activity: a guided walking tour of Roman theatre and medieval sites, a 19 km cycling route through Roman ruins, or a private wine tasting at a Chavanay vineyard. Later, the ship departs for Tournon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activities (choose one): Walking tour of Vienne with Roman Theatre, OR Cycling tour of Vienne and Saint-Romain-en-Gal (19 km easy route), OR St-Joseph Côte-Rôtie wine tasting at Chavanay vineyard
Landmarks/POIs Roman Theatre of Vienne Temple of Augustus and Livia - Day 4
Tournon
Early arrival in Tournon, a hillside village with terraced vineyards and a 10th-century castle. Choose your morning: walking tour of town and castle, hiking through vineyards, or cycling along the Rhône. After free time exploring, you'll enjoy an aperitif on the castle terrace before returning for French pastries.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activities (choose one): Walking tour of Tournon with castle visit, OR Hiking through vineyards overlooking the Rhône with wine tasting, OR Biking along the Rhône to Glun
- Aperitif on terrace of Tournon Castle
- Dessert buffet of French pastries from local pâtisserie on board
Optional Activities
- Cross France's oldest suspension bridge to Tain l'Hermitage to visit Valrhona chocolatiers (available during free time)
Landmarks/POIs Tournon Castle - Day 5
Avignon
You dock in Avignon after lunch. Pick a morning activity: walking tour of the city and Palais des Papes, guided visit to the Pont du Gard aqueduct, or kayaking beneath it. Later, consider the optional gala dinner and classical concert inside the Palais des Papes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activities (choose one): Walking tour of Avignon including Palais des Papes visit, OR Excursion to Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct, OR Kayaking at Pont du Gard beneath the aqueduct
Optional Activities
- Scenic Enrich exclusive gala dinner with classical trio concert at Palais des Papes (evening, available at extra cost)
Landmarks/POIs Palais des Papes Pont d'Avignon Pont du Gard - Day 6
Avignon
A full day to explore Avignon and Provence. Select one: visit Gordes and Sénanque Abbey, shop at the market with the ship's chef and cook together, tour the lavender museum in Roussillon, or do wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activities (choose one): Excursion to Luberon villages Gordes and Sénanque Abbey, OR Shop with a Chef & Scenic Culinaire market visit with interactive cooking demonstration, OR Lavender Museum with guided tour of Roussillon village, OR Wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Landmarks/POIs Gordes Sénanque Abbey Roussillon Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Day 7
Arles
You arrive in Arles, the trip's southernmost stop with Roman ruins. Choose your morning: walking tour of the amphitheatre and Van Gogh sites, visit medieval Les Baux with its Carrières de Lumières installation, explore an olive mill with Provençal recipes, or tour a lavender farm. The afternoon is free or join a painting class onboard.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activities (choose one): Guided tour of Arles with Roman amphitheatre visit, OR Visit Les Baux with Carrières de Lumières immersive installation, OR Ancestry of the Kitchen with olive mill and Provençal recipes, OR Discovery of Lavender from field to perfume with organic farm and DIY perfume creation
Optional Activities
- On-board painting class in the afternoon (available on ship)
Landmarks/POIs Amphitheatre of Arles Les Baux Carrières de Lumières - Day 8
Viviers
Viviers appears like an open-air museum with 5th-century medieval architecture. Pick a morning walking tour: Cathedral of St. Vincent and architectural sites, or stories from the French Resistance. Afternoon options include Ardèche Nature Park with the Caverne du Pont-d'Arc, the Madeleine Caves, or the provincial town of Grignan with its castle.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice morning activities (choose one): Walking tour of Viviers with Cathedral of St. Vincent, OR French Resistance walking tour of Viviers
- Scenic Freechoice afternoon activities (choose one): Ardèche Nature Park with Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum, OR Explore caves in Ardèche Nature Park including Madeleine Caves, OR Excursion to Grignan de Provence with castle and Collegiate Church
Landmarks/POIs Cathedral of St. Vincent Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Madeleine Caves Grignan Castle Collegiate Church of the Holy Saviour - Day 9
Relaxation Cruise to Lyon
You'll have a relaxing cruise day back toward Lyon along the Rhône. Relax on the Sun Deck, try the Salt Therapy Lounge, or join a French cooking lesson. This evening features an acapella choir performance at the ornate 17th-century Trinity Chapel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich exclusive acapella choir performance at Trinity Chapel in Lyon (evening)
Optional Activities
- French cooking lesson at Scenic Culinaire on board
Landmarks/POIs Trinity Chapel - Day 10
Lyon
Final morning in Lyon, France's culinary capital founded by Romans in 43BC. Choose one activity: guided tour of hidden traboules passageways and Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière, visit the medieval village of Pérouges on a hilltop, or learn about Lyon's silk heritage with a painting workshop.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activities (choose one): Guided tour of Lyon with traboules and Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière, OR Excursion to Pérouges medieval walled village, OR Silk painting workshop exploring Lyon's silk heritage
Landmarks/POIs Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière Pérouges - Day 11
Departure
Your river cruise ends this morning. You'll say goodbye to fellow guests and the Scenic crew, leaving with memories of French cuisine and culture.
