Scenic Sapphire October 9-29 2026 Cruise & Offers | Scenic Cruises

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.

Spend a leisurely morning on board as you cruise towards Macon. Perhaps ask your butler to bring coffee to your suite admiring views from your Scenic Sun Lounge as the riverside scenery glides by. An idyllic base for exploring the Burgundy wine region, Mâcon is renowned for its charming old town, quaint riverside streets, and its celebrated white wines.

Wake up to gentle morning light as your ship glides into Vienne, a historic town nestled on the Rhône River just south of Lyon. Known for its remarkable Roman ruins and medieval charm, Vienne invites you to step ashore and discover centuries of rich heritage.

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. Tournon is a published destination on Normandy & Gems of the Seine & Spectacular South of France: Lyon to Paris aboard Scenic Sapphire.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Board your included flight from Lyon to Paris where you will embark the Scenic Gem for your 10 night cruise along the Seine River. Lyon > Paris is a published destination on Normandy & Gems of the Seine & Spectacular South of France: Lyon to Paris aboard Scenic Sapphire.

Enjoy a relaxed morning on board as you cruise gently along the Seine to Les Andelys, arriving just after lunch. This pretty, waterside village dates back almost 900 years and is resplendent with well-preserved Norman-era houses and exquisite public buildings and overlooked by the imposing ruins of King Richard the Lionheart’s castle, Château Gaillard.

Normandy’s capital, Rouen, has a history that spans over 2,000 years, from Viking legends to its significant role in both World Wars. It was also the place where Richard the Lionheart was crowned Duke of Normandy and Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake.

With another full day in Rouen today, you can uncover some of the region’s fascinating military history or sample local delicacies on a gourmet tour. Rouen is a published destination on Normandy & Gems of the Seine & Spectacular South of France: Lyon to Paris aboard Scenic Sapphire.

Enjoy another relaxed morning on board as we cruise west to Honfleur, a colourful port city on the edge of the English Channel. Over the years the town has captured the imaginations of countless artists and was the birthplace of Impressionism.

With a full day in Honfleur, this is your chance to learn more about the important role this region played in WWII. Honfleur is a published destination on Normandy & Gems of the Seine & Spectacular South of France: Lyon to Paris aboard Scenic Sapphire.

Begin cruising inland early this morning to the small town of Caudebec-en-Caux. Set on a curve of the Seine, the riverfront is lined with handsome homes, stately gardens and crumbling stone walls. Caudebec-eCaux dates back to the Middle Ages and a handful of historic buildings survived the bombardments of WWII, including the ornate 15th century Notre Dame Caudebec-e-Caux.

Historically a border town between the Duchy of Normandy and the Kingdom of France, Vernon has a rich heritage and many distinctive buildings. Nearby Giverny was the home of Impressionist artist Claude Monet for more than 40 years.

Wake this morning in Conflans-Saint-Honorine, a Medieval town located at the confluence of the River Seine and Oise. Though it’s just a short distance from the centre of the city, it feels a world away. A castle was built here by monks in the 9th century to protect the relics of Saint Honorine, from whom the town gets its name.

Welcome back to Paris, where you will spend the day exploring this iconic city. First timers will love the highlights tour, which allows you to tick off bucket-list items such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral, while return visitors may want to discover the trendy Marais District or Opera Garnier, an opulent architectural masterpiece built in the 19th century.

Your journey concludes this morning. Disembark after breakfast, taking with you many wonderful memories of this unique part of France. Transfer to Paris airport or train station for your onward journey. This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water.