Beautiful Bordeax & Idyllic Rhone

Today you have the choice between many different experiences in the region surrounding Cadillac, from its bucolic countryside to its historic castles.

Scenic Freechoice: This morning explore your way with one of these Scenic Freechoice excursions:

• Sauternes by coach: Venture into the Sauternes region with a visit to either Château Rayne Vigneau or Château De Malle (the group will be split into two). Enjoy a delicious tasting of the chateau’s fine wines as you take in the stunning views of the vineyard and surrounds.
• Sauternes by bike: Cycle through the rolling vineyards of Sauternes to the Grand Cru Classé estate of Chateau Mayne la Merci for a tasting. Learn the history of winemaking here and the process involved in production from time of harvest, grape to wine, length of maturing and, of course, the tasting pleasure.

Scenic Freechoice: Choose from this afternoon’s Scenic Freechoice activities:

• Roquetaillade Castle: The first fortress here was built by Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, in the 10th century. Today, the architectural jewel of Roquetaillade Castle, which comprises two castles and a chapel, dates from around the 13th century. You'll tour the castle with the family whose ancestors have resided here for more than 700 years.
• Biking in the Loupiac Wine Region: Join a local guide as you cycle the landscapes of the Gironde in the wine region of Loupiac from where you can admire the breathtaking Château Benauge. your experienced guide will take you trough gently rolling backroad to Ste Croix du Mont for amazing view of the region before heading back to your Space-Ship.
• Château Toulouse-Lautrec: This historic estate dates back over five centuries and is considered one of the oldest estates in the region. Château Toulouse-Lautrec was the family home of renowned French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. During a guided tour you will discover the historic rooms of the estate including the apartments of the famous painter, which still house some of his greatest works.

This morning you will wake in the fascinating city of Bordeaux, which you can explore by foot, bike or through a cooking class. It has been an important trading port since the Middle Ages, thanks to its strategic location on the river flowing to a sea port.

Scenic Freechoice: The choice is yours with this morning’s Scenic Freechoice:

• Guided tour of Bordeaux: Join your local guide on a tour of Bordeaux. Discover the highlights of the city by coach and on foot, such as the magnificent Gothic cathedral and Place de la Bourse, which is home to the famous ‘Water Mirror.’ Along the way, you’ll learn interesting facts about the city’s history, culture and way of life. Afterwards you'll have free time to explore the streets and go shopping at your leisure.
• Cycling tour of Bordeaux: Pedal through historic Bordeaux on a guided cycling tour. Cross bridges to see the Royal Gate and the Palais Rohan, relax in pretty public gardens and sample delicious treats such as canelé, a custard cake.
• Shop with a chef & Scenic Culinaire: Gourmands can join Scenic’s on board chef on a visit to a local food market where you will have an opportunity to shop for and taste the best ingredients this region has to offer. Upon returning to your Scenic Space-Ship, head to the Scenic Culinaire cooking school for an interactive cooking demonstration making some of France’s most popular and delicious dishes using the ingredients you have just bought.

Back on board, your Cruise Director will organise a special treat for you, with a tasting of fresh Oysters delivered straight from the waters of Arcachon Bay.

Scenic Enrich: This evening’s Scenic Enrich:

• Les Bassins de Lumiere: You will be given after-hours access to Les Bassins de Lumierès this evening, Bordeaux's former submarine base which has been transformed into an impressive art installation. On arrival, you will be welcomed with a glass of champagne and be immersed in the exhibit with an exclusive show.

Your ultra-luxury Scenic Space-Ship will be docked in Bourg today, a picturesque town set on a rocky promontory. Built as a defensive château, it’s a maze of ancient alleyways, moats and bell towers on the Dordogne.

Scenic Freechoice: Choose from today’s Scenic Freechoice activities:

• Bourg tour with carriages Museum: Situated inside the grounds of Bourg Castle, visit the carriages Museum with a local guide and discover the unique collection of horse-drawn carriages on display. In addition, visit the 16th-century passageway to the guard’s rooms and immense WWII oil tanks.
• Full day excursion to Cognac: The fortified city of Cognac is renowned for producing some of the world’s finest brandy. You’ll be taken on a walking tour of the town and have some free time to explore on your own, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, you will travel to the breathtaking estate of famed Rémy Martin, which you will tour before sampling some of the cognacs.

You’ll wake this morning in the town of Macon, which will be your base for exploring the surrounding south Burgundy region. Macon 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, producing exceptional chardonnay, pinot noir, gamay and sparkling.

Scenic Freechoice: Choose from this morning’s Scenic Freechoice activities:

• Beaujolais 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, which was once the largest Christian building in the world. Tour the impressive town, learn about its history and soak up its charm during 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 Farm Visit with tasting: Visiting an organic goat cheese farm and learning about open air farming, as well as the wild herbs that the goats eat that makes the milk much more tasteful. You will also have the opportunity to taste some of the delectable cheese produced on site accompanied with a glass of locally produced wine

Cruising downstream, along the Rhône River, your Scenic Space-Ship will arrive in Vienne. Boasting a 2,000-year history, this city is blanketed 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.

Scenic Freechoice: Discover your way with this morning’s Scenic Freechoice:

• Walking tour of Vienne with Roman Theatre: Take a walking tour in Vienne 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 housed more than 10,000 spectators.
• Cycling tour of Vienne: On this cycling tour through Vienne and neighbouring Saint-Romain-en-Gal, you will see abundant evidence of the city’s glory days as a Roman provincial centre. A marvellously preserved Roman temple stands proud in the town centre, a monument to Emperor Augustus and his wife Livia. On the opposite bank of the river are the ruins of a once-thriving district complete with bath houses, villas and workshops. Nature lovers will enjoy the detour upstream to the Ile Barlet, a river island boasting poplar groves, alluvial forest and wild orchids.

Known as the City of the Popes, Avignon is rich in history and astounding medieval architecture, but also has a youthful energy to it with a buzzing arts scene. The former 14th century papal capital is circled by city walls, home to the magnificent 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:

• Guided walking tour: From the ship, you will be guided on a walk-through Avignon, to 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 comprises 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: Gourmands can join Scenic’s on board chef on a visit to a local food market where you will have an opportunity to shop for and taste the best ingredients this region has to offer. Upon returning to your Scenic Space-Ship, head to Scenic Culinaire cooking school for an interactive cooking demonstration making some of France’s most popular and delicious dishes using the ingredients you have just bought. (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 some 30 metres above the Rhône, which provides excellent views over the city and river, as well as a pretty English-style garden with shady trees, fountains and ponds.

Scenic Enrich: This evening’s Scenic Enrich:

• Private classical concert at the Pope’s Palace: You will be treated to a truly unforgettable classical concert at the prestigious Pope’s Palace of Avignon. 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 concert by a trio of musicians. Be immersed in the beauty of famous classical pieces, which gain a new fascinating dimension inside the palace’s walls.

Wake up this morning in Arles, a city founded around 56BC by Julius Caesar that remains rich in Roman history. Arles is thought to have the largest number of Roman ruins after The Eternal City itself, with the ruins ancient monuments, theatres, baths and administrative buildings strewn along the left bank. It was also home to Vincent Van Gogh in 1888, who drew inspiration from the landscape for many of his paintings and drawings.

Scenic Freechoice: Todays’ Scenic Freechoice:

• Guided tour of Arles: Take a short walk from your Scenic Space-Ship to the heart of Arles. Arles is the site of some impressive Roman ruins, including Las Arenas, an amphitheatre that seats 20,000 and is still in use today. Experience the vibrant colours and striking quality of light on your tour of Arles, a city that has inspired many artists.
• Les Baux & Olive Farm visit: Drive to the town of Les Baux, located in Les Alpilles mountain range, passing through olive groves and vineyards. The medieval city is dominated by the ruins of the fortified 11th century castle, where the powerful Le Baux family ruled for 600 years until the 15th century. The cobblestoned old town is very attractive and is home to many shops, cafes and restaurants. Afterwards visit a family run olive farm to learn about their production techniques and enjoy a tasting of their fine products.
• 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: The Provence region is renowned for its stunning landscapes and the production of 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. On this excursion, you'll visit a local organic farm specializing in the production of essential oils from lavender, thyme, rosemary, and other Provençal 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.