Idyllic Rhône with Highlights of Paris

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.  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.

After breakfast, transfer via high speed train to Lyon where your friendly crew will welcome you on board the Scenic Sapphire ready for your cruise along the Rhône and Saône rivers.

suite so you can enjoy it in your private Scenic Sun Lounge before you venture out for the day.   Sitting at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, the city 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. 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, 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 Pérouges: 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. Guided cycling tour to Tête d’or Park: With a local guide, cycle along one of Lyons many bike lanes to charming Tête d’or Park. At 105 hectares, it is one of France’s largest urban parks and features a sprawling lake with Souvenir Island at its centre, a botanical garden, rose garden and greenhouse, and a zoo. This evening your Scenic Space-Ship will glide along the Saône River, towards the town of Macon.

You’ll wake this morning in the town of Mâcon, which will be your base for exploring the surrounding south Burgundy region. Mâcon sits right on the edge of the river, with pretty pastel-hued buildings, ancient churches and picturesque quays. It is close to the Burgundy wine region, one of the most famous in France, which produces exceptional chardonnay, pinot noir, gamay and sparkling. Freechoice: Choose from this morning’s Scenic Freechoice activities: Beaujolais wine region: Drive through the rolling hills of the world-famous Beaujolais wine region and meet a local vintner. Discover how this wine is produced and enjoy the privilege of sampling some of the region’s best drops. Excursion to Cluny and Cluny Abbey: Step back in time to the Medieval town of Cluny, which is famous for its Benedictine Abbey, once the largest Christian buildings in the world. Tour the impressive town, learn about its history and soak up its charm during some free time. Excursion to Château de Cormatin: Transfer by coach to the historic Château de Cormatin, built in 1606. The castle boasts a fascinating history and has been lovingly restored back to its original glory. Admire the castle’s gilded rooms, moat, water features and more than 10 hectares of manicured gardens on a guided tour. Goat cheese farm visit: Visit an organic goat cheese farm to learn about open air farming, as well as the wild herbs that the goats eat that makes the milk much more flavoursome. You will also be able to taste some of the delectable cheese produced on site accompanied by a glass of locally produced wine.

Cruising downstream, along the Rhône River, your Scenic Space-Ship will arrive in Vienne early this morning. Boasting a 2,000-year history, this city is brimming with Roman history, including a terraced theatre, first century temple, ancient baths and the Vienne Pyramid, which was the site of the Roman circus where chariot races would have been held.  Freechoice: Discover your way with this morning’s Scenic Freechoice: Walking tour of Vienne with Roman tTheatre: Explore Vienne on foot to uncover the fascinating history of this quaint riverside town, once conquered by Julius Caesar. You will visit one of the best-preserved Roman theatres, which was built against the steep slopes of a hill and could hold more than 10,000 spectators. Cycling tour of Vienne: Discover the city’s glory days on two wheels. Cycle past a marvellously preserved Roman temple, a monument to Emperor Augustus, and see the ruins of a once-thriving district complete with bath houses, villas and workshops. Nature lovers will enjoy the detour to the lush Ile Barlet River Island.

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; today less than 4,000 people live here, happily secluded in their own world.  Freechoice: The choice is yours with this morning’s Scenic Freechoice: Walking tour of Viviers: Join a local guide to explore Viviers on foot. Admire its many monuments and architectural treasures such as the Cathedral of St. Vincent – first built in the 11th century, it is now resplendent in 18th-century Gothic style with a Renaissance facade. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to explore Viviers at your leisure. French Resistance Walking Tour: On a walking tour of Viviers, hear stories of the French Resistance, who fought bravely against the Nazi Occupation of France during World War II. Learn local stories of heroism and daring missions as you explore the historic town. Excursion to Grignan de Provence: Join your local guide on an exploration of the beautiful provincial town of Grignan. See the mighty castle that dominates the town as well as the Collegiate Church of the Holy Saviour before enjoying some time at leisure. This afternoon is spent relaxing on board as you cruise towards Avignon, known as the gateway to Provence, a region blanketed in vineyards and lavender fields, rolling hills and historic villages. Enjoy a regional wine in the Panorama Lounge & Bar as you take in the ever-changing scenery along the banks of the Rhône or spend some time recharging in the wellness centre.

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.  Freechoice: Take your pick from this morning’s Scenic Freechoice: Walking tour of Avignon including visits to 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 Nîmes. Shop with a chef & Scenic Culinaire: Join your on board chef to visit the local market where you will shop for and sample the best ingredients this region has to offer. Return to the ship for an interactive cooking demonstration at Scenic Culinaire cooking school. (Please note: Avignon Market is closed on a Monday). 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. This afternoon is at your leisure to further explore Avignon at your own pace. If you’re feeling energetic, wander up Le Rocher des Doms. Set 30 metres above the river, it offers excellent views over the city as well as a pretty English-style garden with shady trees, fountains and ponds. Enrich When the doors are closed to the general public, step inside Palais des Papes, one of the most visited sites in France which you will have to yourself. Upon arrival, you will be ushered into the grandiose palace for an exclusive classical concert from a trio of musicians. Be immersed in the beauty of famous classical pieces, which gain a new fascinating dimension inside the palace’s walls.

Depart before dawn and arrive in Arles for breakfast. 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, including his infamous work ‘The Yellow House’.  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 impressive Roman ruins, including Las Arenas, 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. Les Baux & olive farm visit: The Alpilles region is famed for its olives, known locally as green gold. Visit an olive farm to see how olive oil is made and enjoy a tasting of their fine products. Then take a tour of the medieval city of Le Baux, with its charming old town filled with cobblestone streets and dominated by an 11th-century castle. 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 joining an on board painting class. Lavender fields to cream - a Provence herbal workshop: 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-based cream to take home.

Tarascon is the end of your cruise. Depart after a farewell breakfast, taking with you a lifetime of wonderful memories. From here, you will be transferred to Nice airport for your onward travels or flight home.  Please book your flight to depart out of Nice after 01:00 PM. 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.