Scenic Cruises

Paris

France

Western Europe

Scenic Sapphire

The glittering lights of the Eiffel Tower twinkling in the night sky, romantic couples walking hand in hand along the banks of the Seine and chic locals walking the runway that is the Champs-Élysées are just some of the images conjured when thinking about Paris. Today is yours to explore at your own pace and marvel in this great city.

After breakfast, explore Paris with your choice of Scenic Freechoice excursions. Scenic Freechoice: Guided tour of Paris: Journey via coach through the City of Light. You’ll see some of the city’s most scenic districts and monuments. Drive along the banks of the beautiful Seine River and pass Palais Garnier, the 19th century opera house, the Louvre, one of the world’s largest art museums, and the impressive Les Invalides complex. Secrets of Montmartre: Step back in time as you trapse the winding cobblestone streets of the district that has been home to many famous artists for centuries and once you see the beauty of this district you will understand why. See some of the quirky characteristics of the district including the greenspace in the middle of the city, the vineyard of Montmartre that produces some 27 varieties of wine.Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, transfer via high speed train to Lyon where you will embark the Scenic Sapphire. Our friendly crew will be excited to welcome you on board ready for your 10 night cruise along the Saône and Rhône rivers.Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Paris > Lyon

Spend a leisurely morning on board as you cruise towards Macon. Perhaps ask your butler to bring coffee to your suite admiring views from your Scenic Sun Lounge as the riverside scenery glides by. An idyllic base for exploring the Burgundy wine region, Mâcon is renowned for its charming old town, quaint riverside streets, and its celebrated white wines.Scenic Freechoice: Explore your way with a choice from these Scenic Freechoice experiences: Excursion to Château de Cormatin: Travel through picturesque countryside for a guided visit to the splendid Renaissance castle of Cormatin. Explore its gilded rooms, moat, water features, and beautifully manicured gardens. Stroll through original 17th-century interiors with gold-leaf decoration, then enjoy free time in the gardens. Georges Blanc cooking demonstration: Journey to the picturesque village of Vonnas for an exclusive cooking demonstration at Michelin starred restaurant Georges Blanc. Walk through charming streets to the celebrated restaurant, where you'll discover the story of Maison Blanc and witness the preparation of classic regional dishes, including Volaille de Bresse Ã  la crème and crêpes vonnassiennes. After the demonstration, enjoy free time exploring the village before returning to the ship. Truffle tasting: Experience the secrets of truffle farming on a visit to a local farm, nestled in the countryside near Cortevaix. Meet the passionate farmer and his hound, discover how truffles are grown and harvested, and then savour a tasting of truffle butter and decadent chocolate mousse with truffles-paired with a glass of fine local French white wine. The visit also offers time to stroll through the rolling fields and immerse yourself in the authentic atmosphere of Burgundy. Excursion to Cluny and visit Cluny Abbey: Step back in time on a guided tour of Cluny, home to the magnificent 10th-century Benedictine Abbey. Wander through the village and explore its grand church remains, impressive monastic buildings, and the vast 18th-century cloister overlooking the historic chapter house. Marvel at the incredible Romanesque and Gothic architecture, and visit the granary where sculpted masterpieces from the original abbey church are preserved. The experience paints a vivid picture of Cluny's cultural and spiritual influence throughout medieval Europe.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lyon > Mâcon

Wake up to gentle morning light as your ship glides into Vienne, a historic town nestled on the Rhône River just south of Lyon. Known for its remarkable Roman ruins and medieval charm, Vienne invites you to step ashore and discover centuries of rich heritage.Scenic Freechoice: Make your selection from this morning’s Scenic Freechoice experiences: Walking tour of Vienne with Roman Theatre: Take a guided walking tour of Vienne and discover its rich Roman heritage, including the remarkable hillside theatre built for 10,000 spectators. Wander through the city’s gardens, ancient walls, cathedral, and historic Renaissance streets before enjoying free time to explore at your own pace. Cycling tour of Vienne: Cycle through Vienne and Saint-Romain-en-Gal on an easy 19 km route, exploring the city’s Roman ruins and the famous temple of Augustus and Livia. Cross the Rhône River, visit nature-rich river islands, and spot mosaics at the Gallo-Roman museum before returning to town. St-Joseph Côte-Rôtie wine tasting: Enjoy a private tasting of prestigious Condrieu and Saint-Joseph wines during a guided visit to a Chavanay vineyard. Discover the artistry, passion, and heritage that define this exceptional terroir.Your ship will depart for Tournon later this afternoon. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Vienne

Arrive in the pretty town of Tournon early this morning. This hillside village is known for its terraced vineyards, enchanting castle dating back to the 10th century and quaint cobblestoned streets. Scenic Freechoice: Spend this morning at your preferred pace with one of the following Scenic Freechoice experiences: Walking tour of Tournon: Explore the town on foot. Learn its fascinating history and visit the castle, built between the 10th and 16th centuries, that still dominates this town. Enjoy free time afterwards - you may like to cross France's oldest suspension bridge to the neighbouring town of Tain l'Hermitage, home to prestigious chocolatiers Valrhona. Hiking through the vineyards in Tournon: Get close to nature as you hike through the sloping vineyards that overlook the Rhône River above Tournon. Learn about the local wine production and taste some of the delicious drops of the region. Biking along the Rhône: Cycle the picturesque banks of the Rhône River past charming villages and spectacular scenery to the nearby village of Glun.This afternoon you will have some free time to explore the town on your own. Later, meet your fellow guests for an aperitif on the terrace of Tournon Castle and admire the sweeping views over the Rhône River and surrounding terraced vineyards, before returning to Scenic Sapphire for a dessert buffet of indulgent French pastries from a local pâtissier.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tournon

Dock in the ancient city of Avignon after lunch. Known as the City of the Popes, Avignon is rich in history and astounding medieval architecture. At the same time, it also has a youthful energy and a buzzing arts scene. Circled by fortified walls, the former papal capital is home to the World Heritage-listed Palais des Papes (Pope’s Palace), one of the largest surviving Gothic palaces in Europe, and the remaining four arches of the famous Pont d’Avignon bridge, which was once the only way to cross the Rhône between Lyon and the Mediterranean Sea.Scenic Freechoice: Take your pick from this morning’s Scenic Freechoice: Walking tour of Avignon including a visit to the Popes Palace: From the ship, you will be guided on a walk through Avignon, visiting the historic city walls and the Pope’s Palace, home to the Papacy and seat of Western Christianity in the 14th century. Avignon is filled with cobblestoned streets and the palace has numerous steps, so a moderate degree of fitness is required for this tour. Excursion to Pont Du Gard: Visit the ancient Roman aqueduct, Pont du Gard, on a guided tour. Dating to the middle of the first century, this engineering masterpiece was designed to carry water to the city of NÃ®mes. Kayaking at Pont du Gard: Be surrounded by the tranquil waters of the Gardon River. Paddle a kayak beneath the World Heritage-listed Pont du Gard aqueduct, giving you a unique perspective on its grandeur.Scenic Enrich When the doors are closed to the general public, you’ll have one of the most visited sites in France to yourself. Upon arrival, you will be ushered into the grandiose palace for an exclusive gala dinner accompanied by classical concert from a trio of musicians, in the very room the Pope used to dine. Be immersed in the beauty of famous classical pieces, which gain a new fascinating dimension inside the palace’s walls.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Avignon

Spend a full day in Avignon, soaking up more of its charms. It is known as the gateway to Provence, a region blanketed in vineyards and lavender fields, rolling hills and historic villages. Today you will have the chance to explore more of this captivating part of southern France.Scenic Freechoice: Explore your way with one of today’s Scenic Freechoice options: Excursion to Luberon villages and Sénanque Abbey: Visit the village of Gordes, considered one of the most beautiful in France. Its stone buildings spiral around the rock on which it is perched, with the church and castle at the apex. Later, visit the picturesque Sénanque Abbey. (Please note: Sénanque Abbey is not open to visitors on Sundays. On these days, the tour will include only an exterior visit.) Shop with a chef & Scenic Culinaire: Join your Scenic chef to visit the local market where you will shop for and taste the best ingredients this region has to offer. Return to the ship for an interactive cooking demonstration at Scenic Culinaire cooking school, learning regional recipes. (Please note: Avignon Market is closed on a Monday). Lavender Museum with visit to the village of Roussillon: Luberon is famous for its picturesque villages, lavender fields and ochre cliffs. Visit a local lavender producer to learn how it is grown, harvested and utilised in this region. Then take a guided tour of the beautiful village of Roussillon. Wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape: The fertile banks of the Rhône are peppered with Côte du Rhône vineyards, including at the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where centuries of wine production make for a fascinating history. Take this opportunity to sample some of the region’s most celebrated wines.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The southernmost point of your journey, Arles is in the Provence region and close to the Mediterranean coast. Founded around 56BC by Julius Caesar, the city has a rich Roman heritage and is thought to have the largest number of Roman ruins outside the Eternal City itself. The ruins of ancient monuments, theatres, baths and administrative buildings are strewn along the river’s left bank. It was also the home of Vincent Van Gogh in 1888 and he drew inspiration from the landscape for many of his paintings and drawings.Scenic Freechoice: Explore the city with one of today’s Scenic Freechoice: Guided tour of Arles: Join a local guide for an insightful walking tour. Departing from the ship, you’ll visit the heart of Arles to see the ancient Roman amphitheatre, Arènes d'Arles, a 20,000-seat arena that’s still in use today. Experience the vibrant colours and striking quality of light that has inspired many artists. Visit Les Baux with Carrières de Lumières: Journey to the stunning medieval village of Les Baux. Visit a former quarry that is now the site of Carrières de Lumières, an enormous 7,000 square-metre site that hosts an immersive visual and musical installation highlighting the works of notable artists. Ancestry of the Kitchen with olive mill: Visit a local olive farm where you will learn the techniques of olive oil production. Later, the owner will share their experience of life in this region as well as traditional Provencal recipes. Discovery of Lavender: from field to perfume: Provence region is renowned for aromatic herbs, particularly lavender. At certain times of the year (typically from late June to mid-August), fields are transformed into a breathtaking sea of purple. Visit a local organic farm specialising in the production of essential oils from lavender, thyme, rosemary, and other herbs. Discover the health benefits of these plants, learn the process of essential oil extraction, and create your own lavender perfume to take home.This afternoon is free to explore Arles at your own pace or return to your Scenic Space-Ship and join an on board painting class. Vincent Van Gogh once said “the whole future of art is to be found in the South of France“. Learn about the artistic heritage of this region while painting a masterpiece of your own.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Arles

This morning you will arrive in Viviers, often described as an open-air museum thanks to its rich medieval heritage and architecture. The town was founded in the fifth century, and as you walk down the narrow, zig-zagging lanes, you will feel as though little has changed in the past 1,600 years. At its peak in the Middle Ages, Viviers was home to 30,000 people

Viviers

Enjoy a relaxed day on board as you cruise back towards Lyon, admiring the beautiful vistas of the Rhone River. Bask on the Sun Deck, soothe your muscles in the Salt Therapy Lounge or sharpen your skills with a French cookery lesson in Scenic Culinaire.Scenic Enrich Tonight, admire the beauty of one of the city’s grandest Baroque buildings, Trinity Chapel. Built in the 17th century, the interior is decadently covered in Carrara marble. Exclusive to Scenic guests, you will be immersed in a breath-taking acapella choir performance in this wonderful setting.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lyon

Greet the day in Lyon. You may like to arrange for your butler to deliver a coffee to your suite and enjoy it in your private Scenic Sun Lounge before venturing out for the day. Sitting at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, Lyon was founded by the Romans in 43BC. Since the mid-1500s it has been a financial and industrial powerhouse and today is recognised as France’s culinary capital. The city is home to more than 4,000 restaurants - including 20 that hold Michelin stars - and eating well is a way of life.Scenic Freechoice: Explore Lyon with this morning’s range of Scenic Freechoice: Guided tour of Lyon: Discover Lyon’s historic significance as you traverse its hidden traboules and secret passageways that date back to the fourth century. Then visit the Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière, offering a fabulous vantage point for views across Lyon. Excursion to Perouges: Visit this medieval walled village, located atop a hill overlooking the Ain River. It has been beautifully preserved, featuring vine-covered stone buildings, cobbled laneways and a market square centred around a centuries-old lime tree. Please note: Due to uneven surfaces and a lot of walking both up and down hill, this tour is recommended only for guests with a high degree of fitness. Silk painting workshop: Lyon has a rich heritage of silk production that dates back almost five centuries to when Louis XI chose the city as a potential base for the silk weaving industry. In the 19th century, silk was one of the city’s largest industries. During this workshop, you’ll learn about the history and process of silk painting.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Your journey concludes this morning. Farewell your fellow guests and Scenic crew, taking with you delicious memories of this food-filled journey. This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. Please refer to our terms and conditions.Meals Included: Breakfast

South of France with Highlights of Paris

South of France with Highlights of Paris

Travel plan

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