Upon arriving in Nice, transfer to the historic Roman town of Arles and board your Scenic Space-Ship. Settle into your suite or head to the Sun Deck with a drink to enjoy stunning views of Arles. In the evening, attend a welcoming cocktail reception.
 

Wake up in Arles, a city founded by Julius Caesar and known for its rich Roman history, boasting the most Roman ruins outside of Rome. It was also where Vincent Van Gogh lived in 1888, finding inspiration for many of his paintings.

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Guided Tour of Arles: Walk from your Scenic Space-Ship to explore Arles, home to impressive Roman ruins like the amphitheater Las Arenas, which seats 20,000 people and remains in use today. Experience the vibrant colors and distinctive light that have inspired numerous artists.

Les Baux & Olive Farm Visit: Drive through olive groves and vineyards to the medieval town of Les Baux, dominated by the ruins of a 12th-century castle once ruled by the powerful Le Baux family. Explore the cobbled streets, and visit an olive farm for a tasting.

Onboard Painting Class: Join a painting class and dive into the artistic heritage of the region, following the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh, who believed the future of art lay in the South of France.

Cosmetics Workshop: Visit a local organic farm famous for producing essential oils from lavender, thyme, and rosemary. Learn about the health benefits of these herbs, create your lavender-based cream, and take it home with you.

After lunch, sail towards Avignon. Enjoy the scenic views from your suite or unwind with a regional wine or beer in the Panorama Lounge & Bar.

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.  

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Guided walking tour: From the ship, you will be guided on a walk in 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 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.

Wine tasting in Chateauneuf 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 very 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 meters 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. 
 
Enrich
Tonight’s Scenic Enrich:

Classical Concert at Pope’s Palace: After the doors close to the general public, you will gain exclusive access to the Pope’s Palace in Avignon for a private classical concert. With a glass of Champagne, you will witness virtuoso musicians performing Mozart, Bach, and Vivaldi in this 14th-century palace.

This morning you will arrive in Viviers, often described as an open-air museum for its rich medieval heritage and architecture.  

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Walking tour of Viviers: Enjoy a walking tour with your local guide to explore Viviers, a town with an important heritage and rich past. Admire the many monuments and architectural treasures such as the Cathedral of St. Vincent, which was first built in the 11th century and is resplendent in 18th-century gothic style and a Renaissance facade. Afterward, enjoy some free time to explore Viviers at your leisure.

French Resistance Walking Tour: During a walking tour of Viviers, learn about the French Resistance, who fought against the Nazi Occupation of France during World War II. Hear 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 in this beautiful region of France. 

This afternoon will be spent on board cruising towards Vienne. Perhaps you’d like to join a class in Scenic Culinaire to sharpen your skills in French cookery by learning how to make a delicious regional dish.

Cruising 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.

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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 industries. A museum exhibits some of the magnificent mosaics and artefacts found here. Nature lovers will enjoy the detour upstream to the Ile Barlet, a river island boasting poplar groves, alluvial forest and wild orchids.

You’ll wake up 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. 

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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. On your tour you will also visit Oingt in the Land of Golden Stones, so named for the limestone used to build the villages in the region.

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 Chateau 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: Visit an organic goat cheese farm and learn about open-air farming, as well as the wild herbs that goats eat that make milk much more tasteful. You will also have the opportunity to taste some of the delectable cheese produced on-site accompanied by a glass of locally produced wine.

Immerse yourself in the charm of Lyon today, 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. Sitting at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, the city was founded by the Romans in 43 BC. 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 – eating well is a way of life here.

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Choose one from these Scenic Freechoice activities:

Guided tour of Lyon: Discover Lyon’s historic significance by traversing its hidden traboules, and secret passageways that date back to the 4th Century, and visit Notre Dame Basilica, offering a fabulous vantage point for views across Lyon.

Excursion to Perouges: Visit the medieval walled village of Perouges, perched atop a hill overlooking the Ain River. This enchanting village has been beautifully preserved since the 14th century and is one of the most picturesque in the region, featuring vine-covered stone buildings, cobbled laneways, and a market square centered around a centuries-old lime tree. Please note: Due to uneven surfaces and a lot of walking both up and downhill, this tour is recommended only for guests with a high degree of fitness.

Silk Painting Workshop: Lyon has a rich heritage in silk production that dates back almost five centuries 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 a workshop, learn about the history and process of silk production.

Guided cycling tour to Tête d’Or Park: With a local guide, cycle along 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 center, a botanical garden, a rose garden and greenhouse, and a zoo. 
This evening, enjoy the extraordinary all-inclusive dining experiences on board your Scenic Space-Ship. Enjoy culinary creations inspired by this wonderful region. 

Depart after a farewell breakfast. From here, you will be transferred to Lyon airport for your onward journey, taking away a lifetime of wonderful memories with you.

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.