Itinerary
- Day 1
Lyon
Lyon - Day 2
Mâcon
MâconIncluded Activities
- Cruise from Lyon to Mâcon
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Château de Cormatin with guided visit and garden exploration
- Georges Blanc cooking demonstration at Michelin starred restaurant in Vonnas (available on select dates; replaced with alternative Michelin star cooking demo when unavailable)
- Truffle tasting at local farm near Cortevaix with farmer meet, harvesting explanation, truffle butter and chocolate mousse tasting with local white wine (available on select dates; replaced with Monastère de Brou when unavailable)
- Excursion to Cluny with guided tour of Cluny Abbey including 10th-century Benedictine Abbey, Romanesque and Gothic architecture, cloister, and granary with sculpted masterpieces
Landmarks Château de Cormatin Cluny Abbey - Day 3
Vienne
Vienne- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Vienne with Roman Theatre - guided tour including Roman heritage sites, hillside theatre, city gardens, ancient walls, cathedral, and Renaissance streets with free time to explore
- Cycling tour of Vienne and Saint-Romain-en-Gal - 19 km easy route exploring Roman ruins, temple of Augustus and Livia, Rhône River crossing, nature-rich river islands, and Gallo-Roman museum
Landmarks Roman Theatre of Vienne Temple of Augustus and Livia Gallo-Roman Museum Saint-Romain-en-Gal - Day 4
Tournon
Tournon- Meals
- Dinner (Dessert buffet of indulgent French pastries from a local pâtissier)
Included Activities
- Cruise arrival in Tournon
- Aperitif on terrace of Tournon Castle with views of Rhône River and terraced vineyards
- Dessert buffet of French pastries from local pâtissier on board ship
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Tournon including town history, castle built between 10th-16th centuries, free time to cross France's oldest suspension bridge to Tain l'Hermitage and visit Valrhona chocolatiers
- Hiking through sloping vineyards above Tournon overlooking Rhône River with local wine production learning and regional wine tasting
- Biking along Rhône River banks past charming villages and spectacular scenery to nearby village of Glun
Landmarks Tournon Castle Valrhona Chocolatiers - Day 5
Avignon
AvignonIncluded Activities
- Cruise arrival in Avignon after lunch
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Avignon including historic city walls and Pope's Palace (Palais des Papes) with moderate fitness level required due to cobblestoned streets and numerous steps
- Excursion to Pont du Gard with guided tour of ancient Roman aqueduct from 1st century designed to carry water to Nîmes
- Kayaking at Pont du Gard paddling beneath the World Heritage-listed aqueduct on the Gardon River
Landmarks Palais des Papes (Pope's Palace) Pont d'Avignon Pont du Gard 
- Day 6
Avignon
AvignonOptional Activities
- Excursion to Luberon villages and Sénanque Abbey visiting Gordes (considered one of France's most beautiful villages) with stone buildings spiraling around a rock formation, church, and castle, plus picturesque Sénanque Abbey (exterior visit only on Sundays when abbey is closed to visitors)
- Shop with a chef & Scenic Culinaire joining Scenic chef at local market for ingredient shopping and tasting, then interactive cooking demonstration at Scenic Culinaire learning regional recipes (Avignon Market closed on Mondays)
- Lavender Museum with visit to Roussillon village including visit to local lavender producer learning cultivation, harvesting, and utilization in the region, plus guided tour of beautiful Roussillon village in Luberon with lavender fields and ochre cliffs
- Wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape sampling celebrated regional wines from Côte du Rhône vineyards
Landmarks Gordes Sénanque Abbey Roussillon Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Day 7
Arles
ArlesIncluded Activities
- Cruise arrival in Arles
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Arles with visit to Roman amphitheatre Arènes d'Arles, a 20,000-seat arena still in use today (Roman Amphitheatre closed Mondays and unavailable on those days)
- Visit Les Baux with Carrières de Lumières excursion to medieval village of Les Baux and 7,000 square-metre Carrières de Lumières featuring immersive visual and musical installation highlighting notable artists
- Ancestry of the Kitchen with olive mill visit to local olive farm learning olive oil production techniques with owner sharing regional life experience and traditional Provençal recipes
- Discovery of Lavender: from field to perfume visiting local organic farm specializing in lavender, thyme, rosemary, and herbs essential oils production (typically late June to mid-August when fields transform to purple), learning health benefits and essential oil extraction process, creating own lavender perfume to take home
- Onboard painting class learning about artistic heritage of region while painting your own masterpiece
Landmarks Arènes d'Arles Les Baux Carrières de Lumières 
- Day 8
Viviers
ViviersIncluded Activities
- Cruise arrival in Viviers
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Viviers with local guide exploring monuments and architectural treasures including Cathedral of St. Vincent (first built 11th century, resplendent in 18th-century Gothic style with Renaissance facade), with free exploration time after
- French Resistance walking tour of Viviers learning stories of French Resistance fighting Nazi Occupation during World War II, including local stories of heroism and daring missions
- WWII in Viviers walking tour tracing town's past including its role in 1944 Battle of Montélimar which helped liberate southern France, exploring cobbled lanes and Renaissance facades with stories of courage, endurance, and renewal
- Ardèche Nature Park with Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum exploring mountains and medieval fortress ruins, immersed in world's largest decorated Palaeolithic cave replica located few kilometres from original fragile site
- Explore caves in Ardèche Nature Park driving through rugged natural beauty from Ardèche Gorge to Madeleine Caves with intricate rock formations, stalagmites, stalactites, and underground lakes (moderate fitness level and sturdy shoes required)
- Excursion to Grignan de Provence with local guide exploring beautiful provincial town seeing mighty castle dominating town and Collegiate Church of the Holy Saviour with leisure time
Landmarks Cathedral of St. Vincent, Viviers Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Madeleine Caves Grignan Castle 
- Day 9
Lyon
LyonIncluded Activities
- Cruise from Viviers to Lyon
- Scenic Enrich: acapella choir performance in Trinity Chapel (17th-century Baroque building with Carrara marble interior)
Optional Activities
- French cookery lesson at Scenic Culinaire
Landmarks Trinity Chapel, Lyon - Day 10
Lyon
LyonIncluded Activities
- Cruise stay in Lyon
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Lyon discovering historic traboules and secret passageways dating to 4th century, visiting Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière offering vantage point for city views
- Excursion to Pérouges visiting medieval walled village atop hill overlooking Ain River with preserved vine-covered stone buildings, cobbled laneways, and market square with centuries-old lime tree (recommended only for guests with high fitness level due to uneven surfaces and hill walking)
- Silk painting workshop learning about Lyon's silk production heritage dating nearly five centuries to Louis XI, with 19th century as largest industry period, learning history and process of silk painting
Landmarks Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière Pérouges - Day 11
Lyon to Paris
Lyon to ParisIncluded Activities
- Flight from Lyon to Paris (included)
- Day 12
Les Andelys
Les Andelys- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice: Hike to Château Gaillard with Medieval-themed walking tour
- Scenic Freechoice: Guided tour of Les Andelys with Château Gaillard visit
- Scenic Freechoice: Cider farm visit to see production and taste local cider
- Scenic Freechoice: Château d'Acquigny Gardens and Louviers tour
- Stroll alongside the river and through the town centre
Landmarks Château Gaillard River Seine Château d'Acquigny Gardens Church of Notre-Dame, Louviers - Day 13
Rouen
RouenIncluded Activities
- Cruise arrival in Rouen
- WWI Lecture - 'A Day in the Life of a Tommy' interactive evening experience understanding soldier's life on Western Front, 1914 Christmas armistice football match, trench warfare, equipment try-ons, and ration tasting
Optional Activities
- Rouen city tour guided exploration of Victor Hugo's 'city of a hundred spires' including cathedral district, old marketplace, Saint-Maclou Quarter, Medieval alleys, half-timbered houses, Joan of Arc execution site (1431), with free time after
- Guided tour of Rouen with Rollo the Viking authentically dressed as Viking warlord Rollo exploring city learning about Viking raiders who made Rouen their capital, focusing on Medieval past with free exploration time
- Photography discovery joining local photographer learning secret of century-old art form, using Rouen as landscape for digital portrait like modern impressionist artist
Landmarks Rouen Cathedral Saint-Maclou Quarter 
- Day 14
Rouen
RouenOptional Activities
- Claude Monet and the Colors of Rouen stepping into Monet's world exploring city's iconic landmarks inspiring artist, particularly breathtaking Rouen Cathedral immortalized in 30+ paintings, charming Medieval streets with half-timbered houses, Musée des Beaux-Arts with Monet cathedral studies and Impressionist masterpieces (Musée des Beaux-Arts closed Tuesdays and select public holidays; itinerary slightly modified on these days)
- Excursion to Somme Battlefields full day visiting WWI Battle of the Somme site claiming 150,000+ lives of British and Commonwealth soldiers, Australian National Memorial (Sir John Monash Centre), Franco-Australian Museum, Lochnagar Crater, and Newfoundland Memorial Park with visible shell holes and trenches
- Excursion to Somme Battlefields Including Thiepval full day following same itinerary as above with afternoon travel to Caterpillar Valley Cemetery (5,500+ Commonwealth graves), Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, and Lochnagar Crater
- Bayeux tour if interested in different historical era, guided exploration of Bayeux including Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux (built 11th-14th centuries, masterpiece of Norman Romanesque and Gothic architecture) with free exploration time after
Landmarks Musée des Beaux-Arts, Rouen Somme Battlefields Australian National Memorial (Sir John Monash Centre) Newfoundland Memorial Park Caterpillar Valley Cemetery Thiepval Memorial Lochnagar Crater Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux - Day 15
Honfleur
HonfleurIncluded Activities
- Guided walking tour of Honfleur showing charming Inner Harbour, Church of Sainte-Catherine, and Garden of Personalities with free exploration time
- On board lecture about Operation Fortitude and daily life of Honfleur's citizens during D-Day campaign
Landmarks Inner Harbour of Honfleur Church of Sainte-Catherine Garden of Personalities - Day 16
Honfleur
HonfleurOptional Activities
- Excursion to Normandy Beaches including Omaha Beach (US history focused) starting at Utah Beach memorial where 20,000+ US troops landed June 6 1944, visiting Sainte-Mère-Église where 30 US Paratroopers landed, lunch at local restaurant, visiting Normandy American Cemetery and Visitor Centre, stopping at Omaha Beach Memorial (referred to as 'Bloody Omaha' with 2,400 casualties)
- Excursion to Normandy Beaches including British Normandy Memorial (UK history focused) visiting Bayeux (first liberated town, French capital summer 1944), Bayeux War Cemetery, Museum of the Battle of Normandy with D-Day chronological details, state-of-the-art Landing Museum at Arromanches with artificial harbour history, lunch at local restaurant, British Normandy Memorial, Pegasus Bridge & Museum, Ranville War Cemetery (from September onwards, Pegasus Bridge & Museum replaced with Merville Battery Site and Museum)
- Excursion to Normandy Beaches including Juno Beach Centre (Canadian history focused) beginning at Abbey d'Ardenne (11th-century founded, Canadian POW memorial), Juno Beach Centre memorial to 20,000 Canadian troops landing, lunch at local restaurant, Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery (335 Canadian men killed in D-Day and early campaign), Pegasus Bridge & Museum (from September onwards, replaced with Merville Battery Site and Museum)
- Bayeux tour for different historical era interest with guided exploration of Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux (11th-14th centuries, masterpiece of Norman Romanesque and Gothic architecture) with free exploration time after
Landmarks Utah Beach Sainte-Mère-Église Normandy American Cemetery Omaha Beach 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 Merville Battery Site and Museum - Day 17
Caudebec-en-Caux
Caudebec-en-CauxIncluded Activities
- Cruise from Honfleur to Caudebec-en-Caux
Optional Activities
- Cycle to Villequier with Victor Hugo Museum active e-bike tour along River Seine banks on flat eight-kilometre each way route, visiting museum dedicated to Victor Hugo, French poet, playwright and novelist (Victor Hugo Museum closed Sundays; replaced with Seine Museum)
- Fécamp and Bénédictine Palace coach transfer to historic seaside town surrounded by Normandy's tallest cliffs, guided tour of 19th-century Bénédictine Palace architectural masterpiece famous for Bénédictine liquor production (said to contain 27 plants and spices) with tasting during visit
- Tales of the French Resistance walking tour learning stories of French Resistance fighting Nazi Occupation during World War II, hearing local stories of heroism and daring missions exploring historic city
- Normandy Abbey Road exploring fascinating Medieval history of spiritual health and wealth on Abbey Road with local guide, visiting many grand abbeys on River Seine banks
Landmarks Notre Dame Caudebec-en-Caux Villequier Victor Hugo Museum Fécamp Bénédictine Palace - Day 18
La Roche-Guyon
La Roche-GuyonIncluded Activities
- Scenic Enrich: walk to Château de La Roche-Guyon (16th-century, built into chalk hillside), tour of manicured orchard and vegetable gardens, decorative walls, ceilings and tapestries, welcoming drink, classical concert focusing on French composers
Optional Activities
- Monet's House and Garden journey to Giverny touring town and visiting Impressionism founder's home with Japanese-inspired water garden with lilies inspiring his famous works, with free leisure exploration time
- Self-guided cycle from Vernon to Giverny approximately five kilometres each way biking tour with option to visit Monet's House and Garden or explore charming town before returning to ship
- Onboard painting class creating own masterpiece inspired by Monet's gardens
Landmarks Monet's House and Garden, Giverny Château de La Roche-Guyon 
- Day 19
Paris
ParisIncluded Activities
- Cruise from Conflans-Saint-Honorine to Paris
Optional Activities
- Visit to Auvers-Sur-Oise traveling to village where Vincent Van Gogh painted final masterpieces, seeing landmarks immortalized in his works such as Notre Dame de l'Assomption church, includes entry to Van Gogh's room (attic he rented during final months sitting empty since 1890) with free wander time through village
- Château de Chantilly guided tour of magnificent castle, tribute to France's cultural heritage, built by Henri d'Orléans (son of last King of France), viewing fine collections, exploring gardens with free time (Chantilly Castle closed Tuesdays; replaced with Versailles Palace and Garden)
- Musée de la Batellerie (inland water transport museum) active tour in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine visiting Inland Water Transport Museum exploring role water played in residents' lives (Conflans sometimes called barge capital of world at Oise and Seine confluence)
- Château de Malmaison historic estate once residence of Napoleon Bonaparte and first wife Josephine de Beauharnais, renowned for elegant neoclassical architecture and beautifully landscaped gardens reflecting Josephine's refined taste and botany passion, housing museum with furniture, artwork, personal items from Napoleonic era
Landmarks Auvers-sur-Oise Notre Dame de l'Assomption, Auvers-sur-Oise Château de Chantilly Versailles Palace and Garden Château de Malmaison - Day 20
Paris
ParisOptional Activities
- Trendy Marais with a local Parisian guided walking tour of Marais district with Parisian guide exploring melting pot of cultures, fascinating history, opulent architecture, eclectic arts scene, high-end fashion
- Highlights of Paris city tour with local guide on coach tour seeing famous sites from Eiffel Tower to Champs Elysee, Arc de Triomphe, Concorde Square, 1163-built Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral (recently reopened after 2019 fire)
- Opera Garnier tour of spectacular opera house in theatrical heart of Paris with ornately decorated rooms, grand staircases, glistening chandeliers, learning about building commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III (replaced with Ateliers du Lumieres when unavailable)
- Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte coach tour one hour's drive from Paris to château credited as founding French formal garden inspiring Versailles, symmetrical layout with stunning gardens creating theatrical setting
Landmarks Marais District Eiffel Tower Notre Dame Cathedral Champs Élysées Arc de Triomphe Concorde Square Opera Garnier Ateliers du Lumières Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte Montmartre Moulin Rouge - Day 21
Paris
Paris- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast on board
- Transfer to Paris airport or train station
