Welcome to spectacular Lyon, France’s third largest city and one of its most culturally vibrant with a blend of fascinating history and a sophisticated dining and shopping scene. Upon arrival, transfer to Scenic Sapphire, where your friendly crew await to welcome you on board.
Spend the 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. (D)
Perhaps wake up to a coffee delivered to your suite by your personal butler and enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Crystal Dining as your Scenic Space-Ship cruises along the Saône River. You will be sailing towards Chalon-sur-Saône. An idyllic base for exploring the Burgundy wine region, Chalon-sur-Saône is a charming town with half-timbered houses and a magnificent Gothic cathedral just south of Beaune, often referred to as the epicentre for oenophiles. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Explore your way with a choice from these Scenic Freechoice experiences:
Your Scenic Space-Ship will depart Chalon-sur-Saône early this morning and sail to Tournus, a riverside town founded by the Romans, its dominating abbey a splendid example of Romanesque architecture. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Make your selection for today’s Scenic Freechoice experiences:
Tonight, your on board Chef has specially sourced local Truffles and will cook an extraordinary welcome dinner showcasing the regions Truffles.
This morning your Space-Ship will arrive in Tournon, a hillside village with terraced vineyards, an enchanting castle dating back to the 10th century and quaint cobblestoned streets. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Spend this morning at your preferred pace with one of the following Scenic Freechoice experiences:
This afternoon enjoy a refreshing drink on the terrace of Tournon Castle. This ancient castle holds prime position overlooking the Rhône river and the surrounding terraced vineyards.
This morning you’ll have time to relax on board as your Scenic Space-Ship cruises towards the city of Avignon in Provence. Known as the City of the Popes, Avignon is rich in history and astounding medieval architecture but 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. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Choose from a selection of Scenic Freechoice options this afternoon:
Enrich: This evening’s Scenic Enrich:
Avignon is known as the gateway to Provence, a region blanketed in vineyards and lavender fields, rolling hills and historic villages. Today you will have the chance to explore more of this captivating part of southern France. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Explore your way with one of today’s Scenic Freechoice options:
Leaving Avignon early this morning, your Scenic Space-Ship will depart for Arles. Founded by Julius Caesar, this city is rich in Roman history and is thought to have the largest number of Roman ruins after The Eternal City itself. It was also home to Vincent Van Gogh in 1888, who drew inspiration from the landscape for a multitude of his paintings and drawings. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Decide how you will spend your day with todays’ selection of Scenic Freechoice options:
This afternoon is free to explore Arles at your own pace or return to your Scenic Space-Ship and indulge in an on board painting class. Vincent Van Gogh once said that 'The whole future of art is to be found in the South of France' this is just one example of the high regard this region is held by artists the world over. Learn about the artistic heritage of this region while painting a masterpiece of your own.
This morning you will arrive in Viviers, often described as an open-air museum for its rich medieval heritage and architecture. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Make your selection for this morning’s Scenic Freechoice experiences:
Freechoice: This afternoon, choose to explore your way with these Scenic Freechoice options:
Enjoy watching a rolling tapestry of the Rhône River as you sail towards Lyon, the gastronomic heart of France, where you will arrive this evening. Soak up the uninterrupted vistas from your luxury suite, many of which have a window that converts into a Scenic Sun Lounge.
Perhaps you’d like to spend time in the state-of-the-art gym doing an invigorating workout or if you’d prefer to wind down, head to the wellness centre for a relaxing massage^. Savour regional cuisine in Crystal Dining or sharpen your skills on French cookery at a lesson in Scenic Culinaire. (B/L/D)
Enrich:
Wake up this morning in Lyon. This fascinating city rivals Paris in the culinary stakes, was home to prestigious chef Paul Bocuse and the Lumiere brothers who invented the cinematograph, has a long history of silk production, and comprises ancient Roman ruins and fascinating subterranean passageways that date to the 4th century. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Make your selection for today’s Scenic Freechoice:
The afternoon is free to wander the cobbled streets of Lyon. Perhaps you’d like to spend time sampling local dishes in a bouchon ‘local eating houses’ or head to the Le Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, an undercover gourmet market that will tickle your tastebuds.
This evening, a local pâtissier will come on board with a selection of their finest desserts for your dining pleasure.
Depart after a wonderful farewell breakfast. Lyon is the end of your cruise, but it will be the start of a lifetime of wonderful memories.
This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions.
^Massage/spa treatments at additional cost. Please note: Scenic Culinaire capacity is limited. (B)
Welcome to France and the ancient city of Lyon. Upon arrival, transfer to Scenic Sapphire, where your friendly crew await to welcome you on board.
Spend the 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. (D)
Spend a leisurely morning on board as you cruise towards Chalon-Sur- Saône. Perhaps ask your butler to bring coffee to your suite so you can sip from your Scenic Sun Lounge as the riverside scenery slips by.
An idyllic base for exploring the Burgundy wine region, Chalon-sur-Saône is a charming town with half-timbered houses and a magnificent Gothic cathedral. It’s just south of Beaune, often referred to as the epicentre for oenophiles.
Scenic Freechoice: Explore your way with a choice from these Scenic Freechoice experiences:
Wake early this morning to admire the tranquil river scenery from your private balcony as the ship cruises towards Tournus. This riverside town was founded by the Romans and its grand abbey is a splendid example of Romanesque architecture.
Scenic Freechoice: Make your selection from this morning’s Scenic Freechoice experiences:
This afternoon, all guests will enjoy a cooperage demonstration, showcasing the ancient craft of barrel making. Learn the secrets of this artisan skill and the importance of the barrels and lumber to wine and spirit making.
Your ship will depart for Tournon later this afternoon. (B/L/D)
Arrive in the pretty town of Tournon early this morning. This hillside village is known for its terraced vineyards, enchanting castle dating back to the 10th century and quaint cobblestoned streets.
Scenic Freechoice: Spend this morning at your preferred pace with one of the following Scenic Freechoice experiences:
This afternoon you will have some free time to explore the town on your own. Later, meet your fellow guests for an aperitif on the terrace of Tournon Castle and admire the sweeping views over the Rhône River and surrounding terraced vineyards. (B/L/D)
Dock in the ancient city of Avignon after lunch. 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: Take your pick from this morning’s Scenic Freechoice:
Scenic Enrich:
Spend a full day in Avignon, soaking up more of its charms. It is known as the gateway to Provence, a region blanketed in vineyards and lavender fields, rolling hills and historic villages. Today you will have the chance to explore more of this captivating part of southern France.
Scenic Freechoice: Explore your way with one of today’s Scenic Freechoice options:
The southernmost point of your journey, Arles is in the Provence region and close to the Mediterranean coast. 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.
Scenic Freechoice: Explore the city with one of today’s Scenic Freechoice:
This afternoon is free to explore Arles at your own pace or return to your Scenic Space-Ship and join an 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 painting a masterpiece of your own. (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:
Scenic Freechoice: This afternoon, explore with one of the following Scenic Freechoice:
Enjoy a relaxed day on board as you cruise back towards Lyon, admiring the beautiful vistas of the Rhone River. Bask on the Sun Deck, soothe your muscles in the Salt Therapy Lounge or sharpen your skills with a French cookery lesson in Scenic Culinaire.
Scenic Enrich:
Greet the day in Lyon. You may like to arrange for your butler to deliver a coffee to your suite and enjoy it in your private Scenic Sun Lounge before venturing out for the day. Sitting at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, Lyon 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: Explore Lyon with this morning’s range of Scenic Freechoice:
Your journey concludes this morning. Farewell your fellow guests and Scenic crew, taking with you delicious memories of this food-filled journey.
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)
Scenic Space-Ships offer a truly all-inclusive luxury package. No hidden extras, just exceptional experiences. Read more
These are hand-selected activities for you to choose from and enjoy at a pace that suits you. Read more
These are experiences that offer once-in-a-lifetime multi-sensory moments that are completely inaccessible to the ordinary traveler. Read more
Scenic go above and beyond, making your trip a truly carefree, all-inclusive experience. Read more
You'll have access to a range of health and wellness amenities on board your luxurious Scenic Space-Ship. Read more
You’ll find Scenic Tailormade invaluable and it always knows the story of where you are. Read more
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