Tastes of the Rhone – A Culinary Cruise

Welcome to spectacular Lyon, France’s third largest city and its gastronomic capital, promising a blend of fascinating history and a sophisticated dining and shopping scene. Upon arrival, transfer to the Scenic Sapphire where your friendly crew await to welcome you on board for this delicious journey.

Spend this afternoon exploring your Scenic Space-Ship. Relax in your luxurious suite or take a beverage to the Sun Deck and admire the magnificent views across the city of Lyon. You will remain docked in Lyon overnight, so you may like to head out and get a taste of the gastronomic delights. (D)

Greet the day in Lyon. You may like to arrange for your butler to deliver a coffee to your 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.

Scenic Freechoice: Uncover Lyon with this morning’s range of Scenic Freechoice:

• Lyon culinary experience: Savour a guided tasting tour through Lyon’s famed indoor food market, Halles Paul Bocuse. Named after legendary Lyonaisse chef Paul Bocuse, it houses up to 60 vendors offering charcuterie, artisanal cheese, seafood, pastries and specialty spices. You’ll learn about the city’s rich gastronomic heritage, meet the makers and sample local produce.
• 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.
• Guided cycling tour to Tête d’or Park: With a local guide, cycle along one of Lyon's 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. (B/L/D)

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 delightful 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.

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

• Beaujolais wine discovery: 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.
• Georges Blanc cooking demonstration: Learn the story of the village of Vonnas, a gourmet destination created by legendary Michelin-star chef George Blanc. Visit one of his famed restaurants for an interactive cooking demonstration featuring classic French dishes.
• Truffle tasting: Visit a local truffle farm to meet the farmer and their truffle-hunting dogs. Learn how these gourmet delicacies are grown and harvested before enjoying a tasting of their delicious produce.

Tonight, sit down to an exclusive dinner on board prepared by Michelin-starred Chef Didier Goiffon. This intimate dining experience in Crystal Dining allows you to experience authentic flavours in exquisite regional dishes that showcase the best of French cuisine. (B/L/D)

Cruising downstream, along the Rhône River, your Scenic Space-Ship will arrive in Chavaney today. This charming village is made up of quintessentially French red-roofed buildings and surrounded by the lush vineyards of the Northern Rhône wine region. It’s also known for its outdoor pursuits, such as hiking and cycling, and is a key stop on the French Camino pilgrimage route.

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

• Walking tour of Vienne with Roman theatre: Travel to nearby 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 could hold more than 10,000 spectators.
• Cycling tour: Enjoy an easy cycling tour along gentle, flat terrain. Make a leisurely loop from Chavanay along the Rhône River and through nearby picturesque villages. The route offers beautiful views of the undulating hills and stops for wine tasting or local refreshments.
• St-Joseph - Côte-Rôtie wine tasting: Savour the exquisite wines of the Côte-Rôtie amid the rolling vineyards of Chavanay. This region is renowned for its exceptional terroirs that produce some of the finest wines in France. During a private tour of a local estate, you will gain a deeper appreciation for the meticulous craftsmanship and passion behind each bottle.

Tonight, sit down to a gourmet dinner on board paired with exceptional local wines. (B/L/D)

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.

Scenic 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.
• Côtes du Rhône villages tasting: Discover the rich flavours of Côtes du Rhône villages wines on a guided tasting tour through the heart of the Rhône Valley. Enjoy a warm, rustic atmosphere as you explore wines that perfectly capture the charm and character of southern France.

This afternoon is spent relaxing on board as you cruise towards Avignon, 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 as you take in the ever-changing scenery along the banks of the Rhône or spend some time recharging in the wellness centre. (B/L/D)

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.

Scenic Freechoice: Select 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 fine local produce. Return to the ship for an interactive cooking demonstration at Scenic Culinaire cooking school. (Please note: Avignon Market is closed on a Monday).
• Wines of the Popes – 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, the previous nectar of popes, ascending to the status of Popes wine due to its location in the summer residency of the papacy.

Later today, experience the ultimate indulgence with a wine and chocolate pairing in Scenic Sapphire’s Panorama Lounge. A thoughtfully curated selection of local wines will be expertly matched with artisan chocolates that enhance each sip and reveal nuances of flavour.

Scenic Enrich:

• Classical concert at the Palais des Papes: 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 exclusiveclassical 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. (B/L/D)

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’.

Scenic Freechoice: Explore the city with one of today’s Scenic Freechoice:

• Provence in Pink – Rosé wine tasting: Discover the rolling vineyards that produce Provence’s signature rosé. Learn about unique terroir and popular grape varieties that produce the crisp, elegant pinks the region is famous for.
• Ancestry of the Kitchen with olive mill: Visit a local olive farm where you will learn the techniques of olive oil production. Later, the owner will share their experience of life in this region as well as traditional Provencal recipes.
• 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.
• Following Vincent van Gogh’s Arles: Step into the vibrant world of Vincent van Gogh on a walking tour. Trace the artist’s journey through the colourful streets and historic sites that inspired some of his most famous works during his 15 months in this charming Provençal town, experiencing the colours and atmosphere that shaped his genius. (B/L/D)

Tarascon is the end of your cruise. Depart after a farewell breakfast, taking with you a lifetime of memories of the exquisite flavours of southern France. From here, you will be transferred to Marseille airport for your onward travels or flight home.

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. (B)