Itinerary
- Day 1
Paris
Landmarks Eiffel Tower 
- Day 2
Les Andelys
Included Activities
- Cruise along the Seine to Les Andelys
- Stroll alongside the river and explore the town
Optional Activities
- Hike to Château Gaillard with 'Richard the Lionheart' - Medieval-themed walking tour
- Tour of Les Andelys with Château Gaillard
- Cider farm visit - See production process and taste Normandy cider
- Renaissance-era Château Gaillon - Explore 16th-century château
Landmarks Château Gaillard Château Gaillon - Day 3
Rouen
Included Activities
- Evening lecture - WWI 'A day in the life of a Tommy' with interactive experience, equipment demonstration, and rations tasting
Optional Activities
- Rouen city tour - Visit cathedral district, old marketplace, Saint-Maclou Quarter, and Joan of Arc execution site
- Guided tour of Rouen with Rollo the Viking - Viking-themed tour of Medieval city
- In the footsteps of Joan of Arc - Walking tour from St. Ouen Church to Old Market Square
Landmarks Rouen Cathedral Saint-Maclou Church Old Market Square St. Ouen Church 
- Day 4
Rouen
Included Activities
- Evening dessert buffet - Fine pastries and French cakes with coffee or dessert wine
Optional Activities
- Excursion to the Somme Battlefields including Newfoundland Memorial Park - Visit Australian National Memorial, Franco-Australian Museum, Lochnagar Crater, and Newfoundland Memorial Park
- Excursion to the Somme Battlefields Including Thiepval - Visit Somme Battlefields, Australian National Memorial, Franco-Australian Museum, Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Thiepval Memorial, and Lochnagar Crater
- Claude Monet and the colours of Rouen - Explore Rouen Cathedral and Musée des Beaux-Arts
Landmarks Rouen Cathedral Musée des Beaux-Arts Lochnagar Crater Thiepval Memorial - Day 5
Honfleur
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Honfleur - Inner Harbour, Church of Sainte-Catherine, Garden of Personalities, plus free time
- French cheesemaking presentation and cheese tasting - Camembert de Normandie, Pont-l'Évêque, and Neufchâtel
- Lecture about Operation Fortitude and D-Day campaign in Honfleur
Landmarks Sainte-Catherine Church Garden of Personalities - Day 6
Honfleur
Optional Activities
- Excursion to the Normandy Beaches including Omaha Beach (US history focused) - Utah Beach, Sainte-Mère-Église, Normandy American Cemetery and Visitor Centre, Omaha Beach Memorial, lunch at local restaurant
- Excursion to the Normandy Beaches including British Normandy Memorial (UK history focused) - Bayeux War Cemetery, Museum of the Battle of Normandy, Landing Museum at Arromanches, British Normandy Memorial, Pegasus Bridge & Museum, Ranville War Cemetery, lunch at local restaurant
- Excursion to the Normandy Beaches including Juno Beach Centre (Canadian history focused) - Abbey d'Ardenne, Juno Beach Centre, Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery, Pegasus Bridge & Museum, lunch at local restaurant
- Bayeux tour - Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux, free time to explore
Landmarks Utah Beach Omaha Beach Normandy American Cemetery Bayeux War Cemetery Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux Pegasus Bridge Juno Beach Centre - Day 7
Honfleur - Caudebec-en-Caux
Optional Activities
- Cycle to Villequier with Victor Hugo Museum - E-bike tour along the Seine, 8km each way, visit Victor Hugo museum
- Fécamp and Bénédictine Palace - Guided tour of 19th-century architectural masterpiece, Bénédictine liquor tasting
- Tales of the French Resistance - Walking tour and stories of WWII resistance
- Normandy Abbey Road - Guided tour exploring grand abbeys on the banks of the Seine
Landmarks Notre Dame Caudebec-en-Caux Victor Hugo Museum Bénédictine Palace - Day 8
Vernon - La Roche-Guyon
Included Activities
- Classical concert at Château de La Roche-Guyon - Walk to 16th-century château, tour gardens, enjoy drink and French classical music
Optional Activities
- Monet's House and Garden - Tour Giverny and Monet's home with Japanese-inspired water garden and lilies, plus free time
- Self-guided cycle from Vernon to Giverny - Biking tour approximately 5km each way with option to visit Monet's House or explore town
- On board painting class - Create a masterpiece inspired by Monet's gardens
Landmarks Monet's House and Garden Château de La Roche-Guyon 
- Day 9
Conflans - Paris
Included Activities
- Afternoon cruise on the Seine to Paris
Optional Activities
- Visit to Auvers-Sur-Oise - Village where Van Gogh painted final masterpieces, entry to Van Gogh's room, free time
- Château de Chantilly - Guided tour of castle, fine collections, gardens, and free time (Note: Closed Tuesdays, replaced with Versailles Palace instead)
- Active walk with Musée de la Batellerie - Visit Inland Water Transport Museum in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine
- Château de Malmaison - Historic estate of Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine de Beauharnais with neoclassical architecture and gardens
Landmarks Auvers-Sur-Oise Château de Chantilly Château de Malmaison Musée de la Batellerie - Day 10
Paris
Optional Activities
- Trendy Marais with a local Parisian - Guided walking tour of the diverse Marais district
- Highlights of Paris city tour - Coach tour of Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysée, Arc de Triomphe, Concorde Square, Notre Dame Cathedral
- Opera Garnier - Tour of ornately decorated opera house commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III
- Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte - Coach tour to château credited as inspiration for Versailles with stunning formal gardens
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Notre Dame Cathedral Marais District Opera Garnier Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte Champs-Élysée Arc de Triomphe Concorde Square Montmartre Moulin Rouge - Day 11
Paris to Lyon
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Rail transfer from Paris to Lyon
- Embark Scenic Sapphire cruise ship
Landmarks Scenic Sapphire 
- Day 12
Chavanay
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Vienne with Roman theatre - Explore quaint riverside town, visit one of the best-preserved Roman theatres
- St-Joseph - Côte-Rôtie wine tasting - Private tour of local estate with guided tasting of exceptional wines
- Cycling tour - Easy e-bike tour on flat terrain with river and village views, wine tasting or refreshment stops
Landmarks Vienne Roman Theatre - Day 13
Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Arles
Optional Activities
- Wines of the Popes – Wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC - Sample region's most celebrated wines
- Chocolate workshop - Live chocolate-making demonstration at Chocolaterie Castelain with artisanal chocolate and wine pairings
- Bike tour along the Rhône - Gentle cycling on ViaRhôna path with vineyard views and Passerelle de l'Oiselay pedestrian bridge
Landmarks Passerelle de l'Oiselay 
- Day 14
Arles - Avignon
Included Activities
- Afternoon cruise towards Avignon
Optional Activities
- Provence in Pink – Rosé wine tasting - Discover Provence's signature rosé vineyards
- Guided tour of Arles - Walking tour of Roman ruins and charming streets with insights on city history and modern culture
- Visit Les Baux with Carrières des Lumières - Immersive digital art space in former quarry and medieval village exploration
- Ancestry of the Kitchen with olive mill - Learn olive oil production techniques and share traditional Provençal recipes
- Following Vincent – Van Gogh's Arles - Walking tour tracing Van Gogh's journey through sites that inspired his famous works
Landmarks Carrières des Lumières Les Baux 
- Day 15
Avignon
Included Activities
- Classical concert at the Palais des Papes - Exclusive gala dinner in the papal banquet hall with classical quartet performance
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour - Learn Avignon's history, visit Pope's Palace (Moderate fitness required)
- Excursion to Pont Du Gard - Visit ancient Roman aqueduct built 2,000 years ago with museum
- Kayaking at Pont du Gard - Paddle a kayak beneath the World Heritage aqueduct on the Gardon River
- Shop with a chef & Scenic Culinaire - Visit local market with ship's chef, sample ingredients, return for interactive cooking demonstration (Note: Avignon Market closed Mondays, guest limits apply)
- Excursion to Luberon villages and Sénancé Abbey - Visit Gordes village and picturesque Sénancé Abbey
Landmarks Palais des Papes Pont du Gard Gordes Sénancé Abbey Le Rocher des Doms - Day 16
Viviers
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Viviers - Admire architectural treasures including Cathedral of St Vincent, free time to explore
- French Resistance walking tour - Hear stories of WWII resistance against Nazi occupation
- WWII in Viviers - Guided walk revealing Battle of Montélimar history and why it's studied at West Point
- Côtes du Rhône villages tasting - Guided tasting of Rhône Valley wines with terroir focus
- Ardèche Nature Park with Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum - Explore nature park and immersive Palaeolithic cave replica museum
- Excursion to Grignan de Provence - Visit provincial town, castle, and Collegiate Church of the Holy Saviour with free time
Landmarks Cathedral of St Vincent Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Grignan - Day 17
Tournon
Included Activities
- Dessert buffet on board - Local pâtisserie creations with coffee or wine
Optional Activities
- Côtes du Rhône tasting - Guided tasting of famed Côtes du Rhône wines with expert
- Hiking through the vineyards in Tournon - Hike sloping vineyards, learn wine production, taste varietals
- Walking tour of Tournon - Explore ancient town, visit castle (10th-16th centuries), cross France's oldest suspension bridge to Tain l'Hermitage and Valrhona chocolatiers
- Biking along the Rhône - Cycle ViaRhona route between Tournon and Gun, see villages, orchards, and local life
Landmarks Tournon Castle Tain l'Hermitage - Day 18
Lyon
Included Activities
- Choral concert at Chapelle de la Trinité - Exclusive acapella choir performance in Baroque chapel with Carrera marble interior
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Lyon - Coach tour past Roman ruins and traboules, visit Notre Dame Basilica for city views
- Excursion to Pérouges - Walking tour of medieval walled village with vine-covered stone buildings and cobbled laneways (High fitness level required due to uneven surfaces and uphill walking)
- Silk painting workshop - Learn Lyon's silk production heritage dating to 15th century and create own masterpiece
Landmarks Notre Dame Basilica Chapelle de la Trinité Pérouges - Day 19
Mâcon
- Meals
- Dinner (Exclusive dinner on board prepared by Michelin-starred Chef Didier Goiffon in Crystal Dining featuring authentic regional dishes)
Included Activities
- Cooperage demonstration - Skilled artisan demonstration of ancient barrel-making craft
- Exclusive dinner on board - Michelin-starred Chef Didier Goiffon's French gastronomy in Crystal Dining
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Cluny and Cluny Abbey - Medieval town tour, visit famous Benedictine Abbey, free time
- Truffle tasting - Meet truffle farmer and dog, learn farming techniques, taste truffle butter and chocolate mousse
- Georges Blanc cooking demonstration - Learn about Vonnas gourmet destination, interactive cooking demonstration at Michelin-star restaurant
- Hameau Dubœuf – the first wine theme park in Europe - Over 30,000 square meters with exhibits, rides, shows, historic cellars, olfactory walks, panoramic flight over Beaujolais and Mâconnais landscapes, guided wine tasting
Landmarks Cluny Abbey Hameau Dubœuf - Day 20
Mâcon
Optional Activities
- Beaujolais wine region - Drive through rolling hills, meet local vintner, learn production methods, sample wines
- Excursion to Château de Cormatin - Coach transfer to 1606 château with guided tour of gilded rooms, moat, water features, and 10+ hectares of manicured gardens
- Monastère Royal de Brou and Bourg-en-Bresse - Guided tour of 16th-century monastery with Gothic and Renaissance architecture, now museum of Flemish and Netherlandish art
Landmarks Château de Cormatin Monastère Royal de Brou - Day 21
Lyon to Bordeaux
Included Activities
- Included flight from Lyon to Bordeaux
- Day 22
Bordeaux - Libourne
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Tour to Saint-Émilion - Guided tour of World Heritage village and Monolithic Church
Landmarks Saint-Émilion Monolithic Church - Day 23
Libourne to Pauillac
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice: Walking tour of Libourne
- Scenic Freechoice: Wines and vineyards of Saint-Émilion
- Scenic Freechoice: Secrets of the Dordogne - Château de Vayres legends
- Scenic Freechoice: Cycling from Libourne through Fronsac
- Scenic Freechoice: Paint and pour - art class on Sun Deck with local artist
Landmarks Libourne Saint-Émilion Château de Vayres Fronsac Pauillac - Day 24
Pauillac - Fort Médoc
Included Activities
- Classical Concert at Château d'Agassac - Visit 13th-century winemaking château, enjoy welcome glass, live classical music performance
Optional Activities
- Médoc wine tasting by coach - Coach tour through picturesque wine region with 16,000 hectares across eight appellations, visit local winery and tasting
- Médoc wine tasting by bicycle - E-bike tour past grand aristocratic châteaux in world's leading red wine region, sample wines at prestigious estate
Landmarks Château d'Agassac - Day 25
Fort Médoc - Cadillac
Optional Activities
- Scenic Culinaire - French cuisine cooking demonstration on board
- Day 26
Cadillac - Bordeaux
Optional Activities
- Sauternes by coach - Drive through picturesque Sauternes region with expert guides, visit local wine estate, guided tour and tasting
- Sauternes by bike - Cycle through rolling vineyards to local wine estate, guided tour and tasting, mostly flat trail around 2 hours including rest stops
- Roquetaillade Castle - Guided tour of medieval fortress with 8th-century origins and 700+ years of family occupation history
- Biking in the Loupiac wine region - Cycle lush Gironde landscapes with local guide, view Château Benauge, ride to Sainte-Croix-du-Mont for regional views
- Château Toulouse-Lautrec - Guided tour of château, delve into life of resident artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, see private apartments with artworks
Landmarks Château de Roquetaillade Château Benauge Château Toulouse-Lautrec - Day 27
Bordeaux City
Included Activities
- Oyster tasting - Fresh oysters from Arcachon Bay
- Exclusive show at Bassins des Lumières - Private access to former WWII submarine base now digital art installation, Champagne welcome, customized show
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Bordeaux - Coach and walking tour of city highlights with history, culture insights. See Gothic cathedral, Place de la Bourse, Cailhau Gate, free time
- Cycling tour of Bordeaux - Guided cycling tour across bridges, past Royal Gate and Palais Rohan, through public gardens, with local pastry treats
- Shop with a chef and Scenic Culinaire - Visit local food market with ship's chef, sample ingredients, return for cooking demonstration in Scenic Culinaire (Not available Mondays)
- Bordeaux in the shadow of WWII - Walking tour uncovering WWII history with stories of resistance, sacrifice, and survival
Landmarks Place de la Bourse Cailhau Gate Royal Gate Palais Rohan Bassins des Lumières - Day 28
Bordeaux - Bourg
Optional Activities
- Cité du Vin museum - Local tram ride to interactive wine discovery museum with nearly 20 themed exhibits on global wine journey
- Tour Bordeaux by motorbike & sidecar - Ride through Bordeaux starting in Chatrons district, see Rue Notre Dame, riverside quays, cross to Saint-Pierre
- Visit Arcachon - Walking tour of charming bayside town with unique architecture, end near Baltard Market for local delicacies and seafood
- Eleanor of Aquitaine - Story of the Queen who ruled France and England - Immersive journey through Bordeaux's historic heart exploring Eleanor's extraordinary legacy
Landmarks Arcachon Baltard Market - Day 29
Bourg
- Meals
- Lunch (Included lunch at local restaurant in Cognac (full day excursion only))
Optional Activities
- Bourg with Carriages Museum - Guided walk through charming streets to main square, explore historic Citadel, visit Horse Carriage Museum
- Historic Saintes - Walking tour of 2,000-year-old charming town, see Arch of Germanicus and World Heritage-listed Saint-Eutrope Basilica
- Full day excursion to Cognac - Guided town tour, included lunch at local restaurant, tour Rémy Martin estate, sample Cognacs
Landmarks Citadel of Bourg Arch of Germanicus Saint-Eutrope Basilica Rémy Martin Estate - Day 30
Bourg - Blaye - Bordeaux
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Blaye - Guided stroll through World Heritage town, walk through 17th-century Vauban Citadel, explore historic streets
- Active walking tour of Blaye - Guided tour of Citadel of Blaye focusing on defense system by Sébastien Vauban
- Cycling along the Captain's Road - Active cycling tour named for WWI Captains' homes, pass riverside villages, ancient villa ruins, manor houses, limestone quarries
- Visit Château de La Roche Courbon - Originally a fortress, now elegantly restored Renaissance château, family-owned and inhabited, explore superb gardens
Landmarks Vauban Citadel Château de La Roche Courbon - Day 31
Bordeaux
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast on board before disembarkation
