Itinerary
- Day 1
Lyon
Lyon
- Day 2
Lyon to Mâcon
Lyon to Mâcon- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Château de Cormatin with guided visit, gilded rooms, moat, water features, and gardens
- Georges Blanc cooking demonstration at Michelin starred restaurant with regional dishes (available on select dates; when not available, replaced with Michelin star restaurant cooking demo)
- Truffle tasting at local farm with farmer and hound, truffle butter and chocolate mousse with truffles paired with local French white wine (available on select dates; when not available, replaced with Monastère de Brou)
- Excursion to Cluny with guided tour of 10th-century Benedictine Abbey, Romanesque and Gothic architecture, and granary with sculpted masterpieces
Landmarks Château de Cormatin Cluny Abbey - Day 3
Vienne
Vienne- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Vienne with Roman Theatre, city gardens, ancient walls, cathedral, and Renaissance streets
- Cycling tour of Vienne and Saint-Romain-en-Gal (easy 19 km route) exploring Roman ruins, temple of Augustus and Livia, Rhône River islands, and Gallo-Roman museum mosaics
Landmarks Roman Theatre of Vienne Temple of Augustus and Livia - Day 4
Tournon
Tournon- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Aperitif on Tournon Castle terrace with views over Rhône River and terraced vineyards
- Dessert buffet of French pastries from local pâtissier on board
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Tournon visiting 10th-16th century castle; optional visit to Tain l'Hermitage across France's oldest suspension bridge to visit Valrhona chocolatiers
- Hiking through vineyards overlooking Rhône River with local wine production education and tasting
- Cycling along Rhône River banks past charming villages to nearby village of Glun
Landmarks Tournon Castle - Day 5
Avignon
Avignon- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Avignon including historic city walls and Pope's Palace (moderate fitness required due to cobblestones and numerous steps)
- Excursion to Pont du Gard, ancient Roman aqueduct from first century designed to carry water to Nîmes
- Kayaking on Gardon River beneath World Heritage-listed Pont du Gard aqueduct
Landmarks Palais des Papes Pont d'Avignon Pont du Gard - Day 6
Avignon
Avignon- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Luberon villages of Gordes and Sénanque Abbey (exterior visit on Sundays when abbey not open to visitors)
- Shop with a chef at local market and Scenic Culinaire cooking demonstration learning regional recipes (market closed Mondays)
- Lavender Museum visit with local producer to learn about lavender growing, harvesting and regional use, plus guided tour of Roussillon village with ochre cliffs
- Wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape learning about Côte du Rhône vineyard history and sampling celebrated regional wines
Landmarks Gordes Sénanque Abbey Roussillon Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Day 7
Arles
Arles- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- On-board painting class (optional afternoon activity)
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Arles visiting Roman amphitheatre Arènes d'Arles (closed Mondays)
- Excursion to Les Baux medieval village and Carrières de Lumières immersive visual and musical art installation in 7,000 square-metre former quarry
- Ancestry of the Kitchen with visit to local olive farm learning olive oil production techniques and sharing traditional Provençal recipes
- Discovery of Lavender from field to perfume at organic farm specializing in essential oils from lavender, thyme, and rosemary; create your own lavender perfume (available typically late June to mid-August)
Landmarks Arènes d'Arles Les Baux Carrières de Lumières - Day 8
Viviers
Viviers- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Viviers exploring Cathedral of St. Vincent (first built 11th century, resplendent in 18th-century Gothic style with Renaissance façade), monuments and architectural treasures, with free time to explore
- French Resistance walking tour of Viviers hearing stories of WWII resistance against Nazi Occupation
- WWII in Viviers walking tour exploring town's role in 1944 Battle of Montélimar and WWII history, West Point studies
- Ardèche Nature Park with Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum visit exploring mountains, medieval fortress ruins, and largest decorated Palaeolithic cave replica in the world
- Explore caves in Ardèche Nature Park driving through rugged scenery from Ardèche Gorge to Madeleine Caves with intricate rock formations, stalagmites, stalactites, and underground lakes (moderate fitness and sturdy shoes required)
- Excursion to Grignan de Provence exploring beautiful provincial town, mighty castle, and Collegiate Church of the Holy Saviour with leisure time
Landmarks Cathedral of St. Vincent Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Madeleine Caves Grignan - Day 9
Lyon
Lyon- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- French cookery lesson in Scenic Culinaire (optional on-board activity)
- Acapella choir performance at Trinity Chapel, 17th-century Baroque building with Carrara marble interior
Landmarks Trinity Chapel 
- Day 10
Lyon
Lyon- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Lyon exploring hidden traboules and secret passageways from fourth century, plus visit to Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourviève with vantage point for views across Lyon
- Excursion to Pérouges medieval walled village atop hill overlooking Ain River with vine-covered stone buildings, cobbled laneways, and market square with centuries-old lime tree (high degree of fitness recommended due to uneven surfaces and uphill/downhill walking)
- Silk painting workshop learning about Lyon's five-century silk production heritage and silk painting techniques
Landmarks Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourviève Pérouges - Day 11
Lyon to Bordeaux
Lyon to Bordeaux - Day 12
Bordeaux to Libourne
Bordeaux to Libourne- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour to Saint-Émilion including Monolithic Church visit (mostly underground, carved into limestone)
Landmarks Saint-Émilion Monolithic Church - Day 13
Libourne to Pauillac
Libourne to Pauillac- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Libourne exploring rich history linked to trade of wool, wine, salt and wood
- Wines and Vineyards of Saint-Émilion journey to countryside vineyards with tasting
- Cycling from Libourne through rolling hills, vineyard-covered slopes and medieval châteaux of Fronsac with refreshment and sweeping Libourne views
- Paint and Pour art class on Sun Deck of Scenic Diamond learning watercolour techniques while sipping local wines
Landmarks Libourne Fronsac - Day 14
Pauillac to Fort Médoc
Pauillac to Fort Médoc- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Médoc wine tasting by coach on Route des Châteaux through scenic region to local winery for wine tasting
- Médoc wine tasting by e-bike discovering countryside, grand aristocratic châteaux, and wine sampling at prestigious estate
Landmarks Château d'Agassac - Day 15
Fort Médoc to Cadillac
Fort Médoc to Cadillac- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Spa treatment on board
- French cuisine learning in Scenic Culinaire cooking school
Landmarks Cadillac - Day 16
Cadillac to Bordeaux
Cadillac to Bordeaux- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Sauternes by coach through region to vineyard for wine tasting
- Sauternes by bike cycling through rolling vineyards
- Roquetaillade Castle guided tour with family residing there 700+ years
- Biking in Loupiac wine region cycling Gironde landscapes with views of Château Benauge
- Château Toulouse-Lautrec guided tour exploring historic rooms and famous painter's apartments
Landmarks Roquetaillade Castle Château Benauge Château Toulouse-Lautrec - Day 17
Bordeaux
Bordeaux- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tasting of fresh oysters from Arcachon Bay on board
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Bordeaux with local guide discovering highlights including Gothic cathedral and Place de la Bourse
- Cycling tour of Bordeaux pedalling through historic areas sampling treats like canelé custard cake
- Shop with a chef at local food market with on-board cooking demonstration learning art of French fare (market closed Mondays)
Landmarks Bassins des Lumières - Day 18
Bordeaux to Bourg
Bordeaux to Bourg- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Cité du Vin Museum visit via local tram with interactive wine discovery journey
- Tour Bordeaux by motorbike & sidecar with host cruising through city
- Visit Arcachon with guided walking tour of charming bayside town finishing at Baltard market undercover food hall with local delicacies
Landmarks Cité du Vin Arcachon Baltard Market - Day 19
Bourg
Bourg- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Bourg with Carriages Museum located in Bourg Castle grounds with local guide discovering unique horse-drawn carriage collection
- Historic Saintes tour of charming town in Charente-Maritime department with 2,000 years of history and lush gardens
- Full day excursion to Cognac fortified city renowned for world-class brandy with walking tour, lunch, Rémy Martin estate tour, and cognac sampling
Landmarks Bourg Castle Saintes Cognac Rémy Martin Estate - Day 20
Bourg - Blaye - Bordeaux
Bourg - Blaye - Bordeaux- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Blaye with local guide viewing World Heritage-listed monument overlooking Gironde Estuary
- Active walking tour of Blaye citadel exploring fascinating citadel and defence system created by architect Sébastien Vauban
- Cycling tour along Captain's Road
- Visit Château de la Roche Courbon with guided tour discovering fortified castle transformed into historic château with sprawling manicured gardens
Landmarks Blaye Citadel Château de la Roche Courbon - Day 21
Bordeaux
Bordeaux- Meals
- Breakfast
